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Friday, May 05, 2006

Take a Hike When Bonds Bats? 

WIP's Howard Eskin proposes a dramatic way to protest "that cheater" Barry Bond and his pursuit of revered home run milestones: Every time Bonds bats at Citizens Bank Park Friday though Sunday, fans should get up and walk out. Empty stands would send a great message on TV, the combative yakkster suggests. Should Bonds hit three more for No. 715, raising what some say is a steroid-enhanced total past Babe Ruth's career mark, a backdrop of vacant seats would be a lasting visual comment for history books.

Many callers have said they'll do it, Eskin tells Early Word. (And so far, his plan is the No. 1 vote-getter in the poll below.) "Let's face it, based on the evidence that has been published Barry Bonds is a cheater," he said. "I can't believe people want to watch or acknowledge a cheater. And reality is that because he appears to clearly have cheated using steroids he really is not tieing or passing Babe Ruth anyway. His home runs are a lie. Fans deserve better."

Some callers have counter-suggested, well, maybe fans should just turn their backs. Nowhere near as strong a message, Eskin says.

Bonds, who's whacked more homers at the park than any visiting player, quipped in an Inquirer interview: "I don't have to worry about how Philadelphia fans treat me -- I'm not on the home team."

Fans here are expected to boo, as they did this week in Milwaukee, and security is being beefed up, not just to protect Bonds, but supposedly to safeguard fans from each other during home-run-ball scrambles.

Here's an additional mischievous protest idea (both could be done): Fans with outfield seats bring extra baseballs, and when Bonds rips a round-tripper, let 'em roll, perhaps rendering the real one indistinguishable and worthless.

What do you think? Vote in our poll and post a comment.
How should Philadelphia fans treat Barry Bonds?
Free polls from Pollhost.com


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