First it was the flack over the Home Run Derby and snippy comments from Magowan. Then it was the re-signing of Brian Sabean and further snippy comments from both Magowan and Sabean. After that came the slump, the all-around crappy July and the tired legs that led to some gleeful whisperings that maybe Barry just might not be able to do it. Add it all up and what do you get? A really angry Barry.

You wouldn't want to see him when he's angry.

Today, Barry Bonds did what he does best-- respond to all the criticism and nastiness by giving a symbolic middle finger to it all by blasting two home runs against the Cubbies. Barry hit a solo home run in the first that landed in Sheffield Avenue and a three-run jobber in the seventh. On top of that, he had a two run single for a grand total of six RBIs for the day. We guess that time off worked.

Oh, yeah, the Giants lost again 9-8.