If there were a list made before the season that counted down the top ten signs of impending doom for the Giants, Moises Alou in a crumpled heap would have ranked too low. It was 2001 when Barry Bonds started his run as the intentional-walk king. Since that time, the Giants have been desperate for someone who could make the yella teams pay if they didn't want to pitch to Bonds. Jeff Kent did his part before leaving, but there were some dark times in the middle years. Bonds could have an on-base percentage of eleventy-hundred billion for the season, but only 80 runs scored.
Knocking in Bonds was the job description given to Alou last year, but they never got a chance to admire each other's work. Alou was amazing in the early part of this season, doing everything we could have hoped and more. So apologies to Alou for not getting my boxers in a sufficient twist while thinking about just how important he was to the team, and how he was old and bound to break down. It should have been as prominent a worry as the potential struggles of a 21-year old pitcher, or the tin knees of Bonds.
On a team with few offensive lights, it's amazing to see what the lineup looks like without Alou. And that's especially true on the days Bonds is resting. Pedro Feliz, clean up? Todd Greene, fifth? Sure, both contributed to the win last night, but those two need to be hidden in a lineup, not featured. Alou needs to heal quickly, or the Giants will continue to do the lineup equivalent of trying to start a car with a corkscrew. So here's to a liter of bottled water, some alone time in the shower, and a speedy recovery to Moises Alou.