July 11, 2008

David Montgomery, General Partner, President and Chief Executive Officer

Pat Gillick, Senior Vice President & General Manager

Philadelphia Phillies

Citizens Bank Park
One Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148-5249

Dear Messers Montgomery and Gillick,

I am writing to you today to ask that you please sign Barry Bonds for the second half of the 2008 baseball season. Mr. Bonds is offering his services at the league minimum salary of $390,000, which would be prorated to less than $190,000.

That means the Phillies could get 762 home runs (most all time), 1996 RBIs, .444 on base percentage, and a .607 slugging percentage for less money than it costs every time Ryan Howard strikes out.

I understand that the teams around the majors are reluctant to sign Mr. Bonds due to the media frenzy and the tarnished image that he carries around with him. I counter that by reminding you that this year’s opening day starter, Brett Myers, was arrested last year for hitting his wife in Boston. The team’s current ace, Cole Hamels, faced serious setbacks in his player development in the minor leagues due to a raucous bar fight. Not to mention the cast of former players who have had their share of trouble with the law, including Pete Rose, Lenny Dykstra, Darren Daulton, and my personal favorite, Ugueth Urbina, who is currently serving time in Venezuela for attempted murder.

My point is, Messers Montgomery and Gillick, that nothing Mr. Bonds has ever been accused of is nearly as bad as the allegations I just described. Mr. Bonds may have a reputation as a cheater or a liar, but most fans think that baseball players are on some kind of performing enhancing drugs anyway, thanks to the now infamous Mitchell Report.

I would argue that there would be a lot of media hype for the first couple weeks, but then it would fade away as soon as it was reported that Brett Favre stopped by Lambeau Field to use the restroom on his way to see some old friends in Wisconsin.

I would also argue that the benefits that Mr. Bonds would provide the Phillies will far outweigh any troubles that may follow him into Citizen’s Bank Park. Mr. Bonds, despite being almost 44 years of age, still hits for tremendous power and has an astounding on base percentage. Over the past two seasons, Mr. Bonds has struck out only once out of every seven at bats, whereas Mr. Howard strikes out seven out of every six at bats. He has hit 54 home runs during that span with a respectable .273 batting average and a ridiculous .467 on base percentage.

Some may argue that due to his age, he is no longer suitable in the outfield. I would counter that at the very least, he is a significant improvement over So Taguchi, who has looked incredibly lost in the field this season, often times bewildered. On top of that is the fact that he hasn’t had a hit in what seems to be five or six seasons. The man that Mr. Bonds would really be replacing is platoon outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who has 3 hits in his last 43 at bats. And Mr. Jenkins is supposed to be the left handed specialist against right handed pitchers.

The Phillies have struggled mightily over the past month or so offensively and Mr. Bonds could provide a serious boost at a very crucial time in this team’s season. Through no fault of their own, the Phillies remain in first place in the NL East and if they do not turn things around soon, the hapless Mets or Marlins will overtake them. Mr. Bonds provides some runs, as well as walks and base hits. No one in the history of baseball is better at getting on base than Mr. Bonds, which is something this team does not know how to do.

Messers Montgomery and Gillick, I implore you on behalf of the desperate and starving fans of Philadelphia, take a chance on Mr. Bonds. What’s the worst that can happen? The Philadelphia media has a field day and goes bananas? They’re going to do that anyway, it’s Philly.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Atwood

Hot Stove Philly Senior Writer