Gone Bonds Gone: Giants Now able to Relax

When the San Francisco Giants held its first full squad work out on Tuesday, there was one thing all the players noticed what was gone: the media.  " That's the biggest thing," infielder Kevin Frandsen  said. "When you walk in here, you can actually walk in here."  With the Bonds era finally ending, the clubhouse can finally relax.  Barry Zito mentioned that some San Francisco players weren't "totally comfortable in their own skin" around Bonds, and reliever Brian Wilson said players will no longer have to walk around "on eggshells." 

 With Bonds absence, newly acquired outfielder Aaron Rowand is trying to lead this team and bring them all together.  He believes if the team bonds, it will help produce wins.  "If you get together and guys start hanging out away from the park, people end up becoming good friends," Rowand said. "Then if things go sideways, you can get your point across a lot easier. The last thing you want as a teammate is to tell somebody something and have them get defensive. That doesn't do you any good."

This is what the Giants need more than ever as one of the biggest presence in baseball is now gone.  Bonds was not viewed as a leader during his later years in baseball, but was portrayed as a selfish player when he was  rude to teammates, fans, club employees, reporters and anyone else who wanted to confront him.  All of this is gone as the players can be themselves and do some things they were not able to do when Bonds was there.

 For 15 years, the focal point of the Giants was Barry Bonds.  No one knew who was on the Giants because they were never able to sign free agents with big names because they did not want anyone interferring with Bonds image.  Or Bonds did not want anyone to take the spotlight off of him.  When they did sign free agents, it was underachievers.  The Giants let Jeff Kent get away because he was getting in the way of Bonds.  Papers quoted the team as "Bonds and the 24 other players."  Since 2002, the Giants were never able to contend because they spent all their money on Bonds.  These are new days now.

This should be a team that will do well under the new wings of Aaron Rowand.  Giants will be able to relax now and there will not be any more distractions.  There will be a new atmosphere in the Giants clubhouse.  I do not think any of the players will complain about it.