The Brazil Times: Lewis: President Bobby Bonds

Just as I was working up a Chink Zachary Taylor Tankersley riff!

Never met the man nor did I see Bobby play. All I know comes from far distant observations. Found myself, however, considering how allegorical his career was compared to being President of the United States.

It is fortunate for Bonds that his very name, “Bonds,” was probably not the name of his African ancestors. Somewhere in history and slavery and anglicizing of names he came out with the surname of Bonds. He was thus fortune as no one ignorant of religion and faith would arbitrarily assume Bobby a follower of any particular religious leanings.

...In 1980 heard a statement which over the years I have thought could be applied to many other people and situations, especially being President of the United States. When asked about Bobby’s predisposition to strikeout the Cardinals General Manager replied to this effect: Strikeouts are part of the package you get when you buy into Bobby Bonds; but he hits enough homeruns to make the game exciting and the team a winner.

Bonds may not go down in history anywhere near Mays as a hero, but only a few hit 300-plus home runs. Some who get the same chance don’t hit any. To have a winner you have to take the failures with the successes, and judge the man after he leaves the game. Take away the name, and the race thing, and the failures when individual hopes were high, and you get a better than average player with his share of successes and failures.

We expect the President to bat .1000, with an equal number of homers. And we’ve burned through about 46 Presidents in an effort to find one man who will always lead us to victory as we define victory any given week. Ain’t no allegory going to make that happen.