Nice article, and good anecdote about the kids in the city.

It's great that he's joe rubberarm and all, but I don't think I'd be quite as blase about it as Bochy.  

Finally, what's the deal with all the raving about his "durability" and "slight build"?  Would it be better if he had a history of sore arm and a Charlie Manuel gut done-lapping over his belt?  Kent Tekulve, Rick Reuschel, whoever.  I don't think I buy that physique has anything to say about performance, except to the extent of poor performance from big fat slobs, or likelihood of muscle pulls, cardiac arrests, or insulin shock from going without donuts for a whole game.  

BB

I mean, the pitch count comparison was nice, but was there seriously anything in this piece we didn't know, let alone, wasn't totally obvious?

Verducci's about as insightful as that annoying couple on 1,000 Places To See Before You Die.

Go to India: "Wow, it's so beautiful here"
Go to Paris: "I'm really amazed by how beautiful it is here"
Go to the Bahamas: "You know, I'm struck by the beauty of this place"

Screw you Verducci and 1,000 Places To See Before You Die couple!!!!

Still, always nice to get a good fluffing...

For reference, Verducci was prominently featured on television when SI published the Game of Shadows chapter in '06, and used to be syndicated on Yahoo! Sports...but really his only claim to local infamy is in dumping on Bonds.

To some extent I can sympathize with the plight of the nationally syndicated sports columnist, who must come up with easily digestible material that has broad appeal.  However, I find Verducci just re-frames the obvious, or argues a point of no consequence.  I feel like there are way better bloggers, and even espn.com writers, than Verducci, and we're only here talking about his piece because it's SI, a pub, IMHO, long declining in relevance.

I've also historically held SI in low regard for cashing in on a swimsuit issue each year to the tune of $50M, and will always jump at the opportunity for make fun of a long-tenured SI "reporter" for owing to Kathy Ireland for their livelihood.  

Look, don't get me wrong, it's nice to be fluffed...