Donations, Collisions, and Champions

Barry Bonds - fresh off his recent conviction of one count of obstruction of justice in his perjury trial - has offered to pay for the college education of the children of a San Francisco Giants fan who was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles back on March 31.  The single-father Giants fan has been in critical condition since the beating, and the support from the Giant fan base has spanned from monetary donations to hospital visits.

Barry Bonds is known for being a home run king and an alleged steroid user, 
but two children of a Giants fan will know him as a generous donor.

But not many people would have expected Barry Bonds to be a part of that support system.  Some may view Bonds' offer cynically by suggesting that he is trying to recoup some sort of positive public image by taking advantage of the situation, but I don't care who he is, what he may have done (or not done), or what you may think of him, you have to tip your hat to the all-time home run king* for what he has done for the fan's children.

Speaking of the Giants, their 2011 season was derailed this week as their star catcher, Buster Posey, could potentially miss the rest of the year with a broken leg after he was barreled over by Florida Marlin, Scott Cousins, in a physical play at the plate that can be seen here.  Since then, many baseball experts have debated whether Major League Baseball should change any rules that restrict such significant contact at the plate (what Cousins did was within the current rules) in order to protect rising stars such as Posey from injuries that can have long-term effects.  However, nothing will happen and no rules will be changed.  Why?  Because this isn't the first catcher to ever get hurt in a collision at the plate...and he unfortunately won't be the last.  A play at the plate is one of the most exciting plays in baseball, and if any rule changes are made then the game will suffer.  Should the NFL eliminate the sack (of a quarterback)?  Should the NHL eliminate hitting?  Should the NBA eliminate traveling?  Wait, ignore that last one.  If the catcher doesn't want to get hit, then he shouldn't block the plate.  Simple as that.  Sorry, Buster.  Get better soon!  Baseball needs you just as much as it needs plays at the plate.

Finally, an across-the-pond shout out to FC Barcelona who won the "Super Bowl" of soccer on Saturday by defeating Manchester United 3-1 in the Champions League Final.  Led by a fantastic performance by the greatest soccer player in the world, Lionel Messi (left), Barcelona staked their claim as one of the best teams ever with a dominant performance over the English champions.  I do not profess to be a soccer expert, but even I could tell by watching this match that FC Barcelona was by far the better squad with pinpoint passing and excellent execution of actual soccer "plays".  It was the 3rd Champions League Final win for Barcelona in 6 years.  Viva Espana!