Bonds' other little helper

[Rusch33]

Who wouldn't use that to an advantage if they could?

 

I like how it's a sin for any player to get an advantage anymore. It's ridiculous.

 

Give me a break.

[jjgman21]

I don't take that article as conclusive proof of anything, but I think it raises an interesting question. essentially what they are saying is the armor locks his arm in such a way that alot of the mechanical flaws that can occur during a swing are eliminated. I can certainly see a brace that would prevent a batter from over extending his arms or rolling his top hand over. why this possibility is so preposterous to many of you I have no idea. it's the same principle that is at play with any brace, eliminating unwanted movement while allowing wanted movement.

 

just anecdotally, the routine Barry goes through in removing the 'pad' sure makes it seem like there is more to that thing than just a pad. there's like a dozen straps and buckles he unhitches just to get out of it. protective pads simply don't require all of that, and if nothing else, it certainly goes beyond any protective measure.

 

what is also interesting is he claims he needs this pad to protect his surgically repaired right elbow. the guy has a 15 year old lingering injury that requires bigger and better protection as the years go by? come on. one would think that if he were so interested in protecting surgically repaired joints from injury, he'd put a pad on the knee that he's had three or four surgeries on in the past two years.