The much maligned and controversial Barry Bonds made his first appearance of the 2012 San Francisco Giants season at AT&T Park last week and spoke with reporters for over 30 minutes on a variety of topics.

The king of home runs was jovial, held direct eye contact and engaged reporters, a far cry from his 15 seasons with the Giants.

He even referred to himself as a convicted felon and acknowledged his appeal case is still pending, however, the most interesting aspect of what Bonds had to say was his desire to work in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Regardless of his legal issues and history of illegal substance use, Barry Bonds is a student of the game.  Perhaps no one knows baseball as well as he does and instead of being blackballed from the league, he should be allowed to share his knowledge with younger players as a coach or instructor.

Bonds spoke with Giants President and CEO Larry Baer about joining the team in some capacity as a roving instructor helping major and minor leaguers.

“My expertise is baseball,” he said. “If you believe that I can contribute and help the organization, then fine.  If you don’t, fine.  I’m just saying it’s out there.” Bonds told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Bonds, a seven-time National League MVP, deserves a shot at working for the organization he spent a majority of his career with, regardless of his legal issues.

Putting aside the performance enhancing drugs, Bonds had one of the most powerful swings in the majors.  Pitchers were genuinely afraid of facing him, which is evident in his career walks numbers.

The knowledge Bonds can pass on to not just hitters but pitchers as well is irreplaceable. Why should he be denied of that?

While there are a number of players who were embroiled in the performance enhancing drug cases, Bonds became the scapegoat for Major League Baseball, as time passed, he apologized and Giants fans have made their peace, we should provide Bonds with that second chance.

Did we not forgive Hugh Grant for his prostitution scandal in 1995, only to re-accept him with open arms into our homes and movie theatres with movies like “Notting Hill” and “About a Boy?” Did we not continue to watch Kobe Bryant win two additional championships after the notorious rape case in 2003, or even tune into Michael Vick have the best season of his career, throwing for over 3,000 yards, rushing for 676 yards and 30 total touchdowns.

Thus, Bonds too deserves a chance to redeem himself.

If he was allowed to work for the Giants organization, his wisdom and knowledge could potentially help players who are struggling or otherwise.

The aim is not to make Bonds the new major league hitting instructor, rather a more roving instructor who can travel within different levels of the organization talking with and helping players.

Who better to instruct a young player than one who has literally experienced the absolute highs and lows of major league baseball?

It’s not as if Bonds would openly tell or influence young players to take steroids – he’s much smarter than that.

Instead, his knowledge rests with him as he continues being blackballed by the league he contributed so much to.

Barry Bonds deserves more from major league baseball, and if he wants to work for the organization he gave so much to, he deserves a shot.