| Title | : | Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0060797533 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780060797539 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 384 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2006 |
No player in the history of baseball has left such an indelible mark on the game as Barry Bonds. In his twenty-year career, Bonds has amassed an unprecedented 7 Most Valuable Player awards, 8 Gold Gloves, and more than 700 home runs (and counting), an impressive assortment of feats that has earned him the consideration as one of the greatest players the game has ever seen. Equally deserved, however, is his reputation as an insufferable braggart, whose mythical home runs are rivaled only by his legendary ego. From his staggering ability and fabled pedigree (father Bobby played outfield for the Giants; cousin Reggie and godfather Willie are both Hall of Famers), to his well-documented run-ins with teammates and his alleged steroid abuse, Bonds inspires a like amount of passion from both sides of the fence. For many, Bonds belongs beside Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron in baseball’s holy trinity; for others, he embodies all that is wrong with the modern athlete: aloof; arrogant; alienated.
In “Love Me, Hate Me,” journalist Jeff Pearlman, author of the bestselling “The Bad Guys Won,” offers a searing and insightful look into one of the most divisive athletes of our time. Drawing on extensive interviews with Bonds himself, members of his family, former and current managers, teammates, opponents, trainers, outspoken critics, and unapologetic supporters alike, Pearlman reveals, for the first time, a wonderfully nuanced portrait of a prodigiously talented--and immensely flawed--American icon, whose controversial run at baseball immortality forever changed the way we look at our sports heroes.
Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero Reviews
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I'm a lifelong SF Giants fan, but never bought into the denials about performance-enhancing drugs. (Same with Lance Armstrong). I think the commissioner of baseball knew, as did the owners of the Giants. But baseball had been going through another fan lull and the league needed the home run to generate excitement and the Giants owners to fill their new ballpark. However, I always laughed at the hypocritical outrage these officials would express if someone got caught.
As for Bonds, he was a toxic combination of a highly gifted, but highly insecure athlete, who was very socially inept. Unfortunately, he got the wrong guidance and advice from Willie Mays, who Bonds called his godfather, and Bonds' own father, Bobby, who once played for the Giants. Both had experienced racism, particularly Mays, that made them bitter and defensive. They advised Barry to be the same.
The reporter has more than made his case. The examples pile up ad nauseam. Although he is honest about how black players were treated worse and often paid less than white players until the free agent market broke open.
This book has been around my house since my son read it when it first came out. I was prompted to pick it up because the Giants recently did a Barry Bonds Day, retiring his number. Ownership is pumping up the nostalgia for a team that won three titles, but is clearly declining with its aging and oft-injured veterans. Some of the bandwagon fans have never been through a down cycle, so we'll see how many show up at the ballpark a couple of years from now.
Meanwhile, about halfway through, I realized that the author is just a jealous prick. He's written other hits on other black athletes he envies. My guess is he wanted to be an athlete, but wasn't good enough, so settled for sports journalist. Not very glamorous and certainly not a ticket to the big bucks of the superstars. Meanwhile, who of us could sustain someone going over every moment of our lives, since Kindergarten, with a fine-tooth comb? -
Barry Bonds certainly comes across as the ultimate fink in this carefully researched sports bio. However, author Jeff Pearlman has no new insights and fails to make a compelling case for whatever point he's trying to make. JUICED by Jose Canseco is a much more exciting book and reveals much, much more of the author's twisted mind!
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"Love me, hate me - I don't give a f***" - Barry Bonds.
Though I grew up in the 1990s and have only vague memories of the professional world of sports like football and baseball, I do remember one man: Barry Bonds. I remember having a 2000 baseball card of his, which showcased this giant of a man with these superhuman home run numbers. I remember occasionally seeing one of his home runs on the news (like when he bear hugged my beloved Twins hero Torii Hunter after Bonds was robbed of a home run during the 2002 All Star Game). I also remember the relentless media coverage of Bonds during the BALCO steroid scandal. And, yes, I remember when both Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron's home run records fell to this man. I remember quite a bit about the man named Bonds.
Years later, when I read this book in search for the complete, hopefully unbiased, story of this new Home Run King, I was struck by this biography's title, and the featured quote found before the introduction. Bonds was in his own little world, both in respect to his baseball prowess and his relationship with the media and society in general. This quote of "love me, hate me" truly epitomizes who Bonds really was, and isn't part of some legacy-smearing agenda that this respected sportswriter, Jeff Pearlman, administered in this well-received book. No, this is an incredibly thorough and detailed look into the complete life and tale of a man who was destined to be the most complete all-around baseball player of his generation, if not of all time. As much as I loved Pearlman's other work about Roger Clemens, I enjoyed this one more because I had more memories of seeing Bonds during his career, and amid his lengthy involvement in the steroid scandal, I was much more in-tuned with this legendary hitter than that superb pitcher nicknamed "Rocket." However, this biography still astounded me at every turn, especially with the incredible insight into Bonds' interaction with his teammates and the media in the clubhouse. Here is the definitive story of Bonds - the good, the bad, and the ugly. -
A well-written, hanging-by-his-own-rope bio of an undeniably talented and completely polarizing athlete; one of the greatest of his era. Pearlman has done his research, going all the way back to Bonds' cub scouts den mother to find people willing to shit on Barry for being a jerk. The question that lingers in my mind, having read this book, is where is the one about Mark McGwire along these lines? Would Cobb, or Ruth, or DiMaggio, or Williams, have survived the media scrutiny Barry Bonds has endured? The element of race lurks behind the curtains of this book, and while it is referenced in passing, race is left largely unremarked upon to the extent that this reader thinks it may be germane to the discussion.
Barry Bonds used HGH to push a Hall of Fame career to the further reaches of the stratosphere. His legacy leaves a conundrum for MLB and the Hall of Fame to puzzle through. Love Me, Hate me is a fascinating and very sad book to read. -
Wow, in case you couldn't tell from his behavior in press conferences, interviews, and candid moments on the diamond, Barry Bonds has a chip on his shoulder the size of the Golden Gate Bridge.
This book just confirms it - you might go in looking for the misunderstood athlete who secretly wants to be loved, who visits sick kids in the off-season.
That guy's not here. Where have all the baseball heroes gone? Pete Rose, Bonds, McGwire, Clemens - all sport asterisks next to their names in my book now.
Where's Cal Ripken when we need him? -
I'm becoming a fan of Pearlman's writing. This book seems to paint a more nuanced picture of Bonds than any I've ever read. Excellent read for baseball fans, whether you like Bonds or not.
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Barry Bonds is the player who got me into baseball. I considered baseball extremely boring growing up. Barry's power and grace at the bat got me hooked; and anyone who is able to make baseball exciting should be in the Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds is a classic case of someone having all of the talent/power in the world, but lacking the decency and respect for others. Sadly, he got that from his father, God parent, Willie Mays, and a host of people who enabled his high-minded attitude.
Barry's father, Bobby, was a star baseball player. However, he wasn't a star as a father and that left a lasting impact on Barry. Bobby was only 18 years old when Barry, his oldest son, was born. He wasn't ready to be a father. One thing that worked against Bobby was his unhealthy habit of drinking that was passed down from his father. Barry grew up aloof and without the father figure he needed in his life to teach him values and lessons as a man.
Barry's talent and disdain for his father drove him to the heights he reached. He grew up very protected which didn't do him any good. People who should have disciplined him didn't do their job either. It was all a mental disaster for Barry. One minute he seems great, and then the next he's being rude towards someone.
Teammates didn't love and enjoy their time around him. His attitude towards them and the media left a bad taste in their mouths.
At the end of the day, people paid to see Barry Bonds swing a baseball bat. You could LOVE him or you could HATE him, but you PAID to see Barry Bonds. He was a once in a lifetime talent. The numbers do not lie - before or after steroids. -
Very interesting but VERY sad book. One wonders how Mr. Bonds lives with himself. An incredible talent (my guess - top 5 all time) but what does a man profit if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.
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Pearlman does it again. Barry Bonds, at the time of writing, had a considerable amount of flaws. However, Pearlman, in classic Pearlman fashion, doesn’t shy away from highlighting the contradictions and even positives of one of the most hated athletes of all time.
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Barry Bonds is a fascinating narcissist. And great baseball player! This is one of the best, well researched biographies on an athlete I've read.
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Well I'm one of the multitude of Barry bashers. It's clear he used PEDs...the only thing missing is his acknowledgement that he did so knowingly. It's a sad story, and it's impossible for me to understand the world of a superstar like Barry and what life is like in an egocentric world like his. If I did not vote for him for the HOF, it would be out of spite... Incredible athelete without PEDs, but from this story, he seems to lack quite a bit in the compassion, understanding, and humane departments. What did I learn? Nothing. At the time, I enjoyed reading about the fall of someone else, especially someone who seems to be not nice...I wish I could say I read it to learn an example of what I don't want for myself or my family, but it was for shallow, petty amusement. Hopefully I won't do this again. Now I would say there are so many books worth more of your time.
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A very interesting and intriguing look at baseball's Public Enemy #1. The facts and sources that go into this book are great, the author really took his time to make sure everything was accurate. It really paints a picture of what kind of guy Barry Bonds is and where the source of his "attitude" comes from. The author takes an un-biased view on the man and tries to point out the positive moments but by the end you learn that those positive moments are not very genuine and Barry Bonds really is a steroid using jerk.
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Barry Bonds has a split personality and the author mixed the media view with friends and teammates view. In doing so he managed to show the good side and the bad side of him. I find it a shame that he used HGH & steriods to enhance his remarkable talent. Without these drugs, he still would be a top player and now he has ruined his standing.
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So far a great book. Gives good insight on Barry Bonds. I can't wait to finish and see who is the real and true him!
September 24, 2012 Updated- I am still reading the book. I can really see why people dislike the book because of how a guy with great talent... Well you need to read the book to really judge him. Overall this gives good insight who Barry Bonds really is. -
Bonds doesn't come across well in this book, he seems to be despised by teammates and the media, and as for the Hall of Fame debate, I expect that to rage on for a long time. No doubt the guy was a talented ballplayer whether he was clean or not, I guess only one person knows the truth and he ain't talking.
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Comprehensive biography of the controversial Barry Bonds, exploring what motivates him and what tortures him.
I learned from this book that Barry Bonds is conceivably a worse person than he is portrayed in the media. He is the very embodiment of the spoiled, petulant, modern superstar. -
Nothing fascinates me more than reading biographies or insider accounts of professional athletes. The lives they lead and the things they get away with are second to none. The life and path of Barry Bonds is gripping.
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Excellent read & look into Barry Bonds. As a Giants fan, it was tough to read (I have my own feelings on Bonds), but for die-hard Bonds fans, I imagine it would be painful and eye-opening. Definitely a must read for baseball fans, in general.
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Good book. Couldn't stand Barry Bonds and what his bogus records did to baseball but have a better understanding of who he is and what's he's gone through. Poison in the clubhouse and hated the press.
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What an uber-talented prick.
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Barry Bonds is a jerk. Jeff Pearlan's a pretty good writer. Read this and find out why.
