Take A Bowker

>WTF!!!11!

>G'S SCO MO DAN FO'!

>who is dis fuckin' guy???

These are just a few of the astonished text messages that went flying around AT&T Park during this past weekend's closeout games vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. The reason? Nothing more than the incredible major league debut of outfielder John Bowker, who launched 2 home runs and drove in 7 while making emergency starts on Saturday and Sunday. That accounts for nearly 20% of the Giants season-total run production! Though only managing to win one game, the Giants scored a team high 7 runs both days.

With Bowker's punch in the middle of the lineup, coupled with Fred Lewis' resurgence in the leadoff spot - could the Giants be seeing the beginnings of some bona fide offensive chemistry?

>LOL ROTFL :D

If nothing else, manager Bruce Bochy should allow Bowker to sustain his auspicious start with some more playing time... Thankfully, he may have no choice with Dave Roberts out for 3 months recovering from knee surgery.

What Is This Dreck?

1. Dave Roberts, lf
2. Rich Aurilia, 1b
3. Randy Winn, rf
4. Bengie Molina, c
5. Ray Durham, 2b
6. Aaron Rowand, cf
7. Jose Castillo, 3b
8. Brian Bocock, ss
9. Barry Zito, p

Ready For The Next Episode?

Bonds Gets A Pitch, originally uploaded by bryce_edwards.

With the 2007 baseball season winding down, so too may the career of Barry Bonds as a San Francisco Giant. However, given the post 756 San Francisco lovefest, continual Sportscenter lead-in clips of each history making blast, and the simple fact that he is despised in every other city in the country, Giants management may still be swayed into bringing history's most prolific slugger back for another year (or two).

Bonds is still a genuine power hitter and offensive force. Despite being 43 years old, Bonds still leads all the the majors in home run ratio as of the end of August. If he had as many at bats as Prince Fielder, Bonds would have 40 home runs at his current pace to lead the National League. He still leads MLB in OPS and OBP, and is nearly 15% better than #2 David Ortiz in OBP. Yet Bonds barely plays enough to qualify for the batting title (3.1 PA/Game), is further neutralized by constant walks from opposing pitchers, and for several seasons now has been an egregious defensive liability in LF.

The Giants have a glut of outfield prospects coming up through their system and barring an unlikely trade, are anchored to veteran outfielders Dave Roberts and Randy Winn for the next two years. After 15 incredible and historic seasons, the time for Barry and the Giants to part ways is finally at hand. With adequate lineup protection, Bonds, at 44, could still be one of the best designated hitters in the American League and could cap off a few remaining career milestones without the strain of playing the outfield. Meanwhile, the Giants must start focusing on fielding a superior defensive lineup in support of their amazing young pitching staff.

It will be difficult to say goodbye to a player who has meant so much to the franchise, but hopefully he won't travel far - it would seem Bonds is a perfect fit for a nearby American League team, obsessed on-base percentage and mired in offensive doldrums of their own...