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Is anyone else getting sick of the "Bonds Watch?" Personally, I'm getting tired of ESPN cutting away to show/listen to his at-bats. I find the only entertainment value is watching the egotistical cheat fail. Now that I think about it, I'm not getting sick of it: watching Barry Bonds fail is the most entertaining thing on television outside of "Lost."

But if Bonds wasn't chasing the Bambino or Hammerin' Hank, do you really think the Giants would be putting his name on the line-up card every day? It's time to face facts: Bonds is a soon-to-be 42-year old whose skills have clearly eroded on him. Just for a minute, ignore the "did-he or didn't-he" matter of Bonds injecting himself with more steroids and hormones than a Venice Beach weight lifter. Look at the now--the 2006 season. Barry Bonds simple can't play anymore.

Anyone who has seen a Giants game this year knows that he's a complete and total liability in the outfield. His knee is shot and looks like he'd be better off patrolling left field in a Rascal. But Major League Baseball has always and will always be willing to overlook bad defense for a guy who can mash (say hello to Jason Giambi). As of this writing, Bonds has a batting average of .233 and a slugging percentage of .467. He has a measly five home runs in 90 ABs--one ever 18 at-bats. The only reason he has a good OBP is because opposing teams still fear him (either that or there's a universal conspiracy amongst MLB pitcher to keep Bonds from passing Aaron).

If Bonds was any other struggling, middle-aged former slugger he'd be sitting on the bench. Even if you factor in that unphantomable 73-HR season, there's nothing--not a shred of support--that validates putting Bonds in the clean-up spot everyday (or as often as his now-frail body allows him). If anything, the argument could be made that he should be hitting leadoff, but Bonds' enormous pride--which is as large as his melon--already nixed the idea of hitting anywhere but third or fourth.

If records weren't at stake, there's no doubt in my mind he'd be unemployed. Want proof--let me tell you about another player. A once prolific slugger had two seasons really awful numbers. Allegations of steroid use follow him everywhere. Not much of a clubhouse guy, but the skipper and his teammates put up with it because he could mash. Eventually it becomes obvious to all of baseball that this vet has nothing left in the tank.

And the last time I checked, Sammy Sosa was collecting unemployment checks in the Domincan Republic.

Bonds is done. Watching him play is an embarrassment to himself and baseball. Much like everything he's done in his career, Bonds is playing for purely selfish reasons. He's clearly not helping his team and we all know Barry Bonds has not nor will he ever do anything for the fans. The only reason Bonds is still around is because he wants to pass Ruth and take a run at Aaron. He wants to pad his own numbers and immortalize himself further. If it wasn't for his proximity to those all-time records, he'd be sitting on the bench or out of a job. Even the Royals wouldn't let a 42-year old with a batting average less than his weigh hit cleanup on a daily basis.

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2006