Barry Bonds News

"A year ago today, Barry Bonds' 756th home run disappeared over the right-center-field fence, and Hank Aaron's face appeared on the Giants' jumbo screen, offering videotaped congratulations to the man who had just supplanted him as baseball's all-time home run king. The pitcher who threw the historic pitch, Mike Bacsik, tipped his cap to Bonds as he finished his tour of the bases. The feel-good moment transcended all the discomfort that preceded it, from Aaron's reluctance to watch Bonds pursue the record to doubts about whether anyone in baseball could genuinely honor such a grand achievement of a man inching ever closer to a steroids-related indictment. But whenever Bonds played the ..."

"The Giants want Barry Bonds back at China Basin - for Saturday's pregame ceremony honoring five decades of Giants outfielders. Bonds has not returned to the ballpark, at least publicly, since the Giants informed him in September they would not re-sign him for 2008. As part of their 50th anniversary in San Francisco, the Giants have been honoring players from the past five decades by position. On Saturday, it will be the outfielders. Staci Slaughter, the Giants' senior vice president for communications, said No. 25 was sent an invitation. "Oh yeah," Slaughter said. "We invited all the outfielders who played a certain number of games. He definitely was invited. We would love for him to come. ..."

"Barry Bonds was briefly discussed when Yankee officials gathered Thursday to brainstorm ways to improve the team, but the Yanks "aren't ready to jump on that," according to a baseball official familiar with the team's thinking. However, adding a bat is something the Yankees are exploring as Thursday's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline approaches, along with a starting pitcher and perhaps a lefthanded reliever. The Yankees have determined that those three types of players are their top priorities for possible deadline dealing, and in a gathering that included both Steinbrenner brothers, Hank and Hal, at Legends Field in Tampa, they went over options in each group. Among the starting ..."

"A prominent athlete who is a friend of Barry Bonds recently told me baseball’s all-time home run king, now living in Los Angeles, has made it known he would love to sign with the first-place Angels. Don’t worry, Angels fans. There’s no chance the Angels will sign the indicted free-agent slugger this season, even if there was a sudden glut of injuries and he offered to DH for free. Angels owner Arte Moreno made that clear during an appearance last week on HBO Sports’ latest episode of “Costas Now,” a town hall meeting in New York in which Bob Costas presided over a panel discussion as past and present major leaguers, coaches and club officials debated hot-button issues. During a segment on ..."

"Will Hideki Matsui's bum knee cause the Yankees to hit the Bonds market? Should Matsui require surgery and be lost for the year - a realistic possibility after he suffered a setback Tuesday - the Yankees would almost certainly need to bring in another bat for the DH spot. Richie Sexson remains available as a free agent, and although the big first baseman was having a terrible year before being released by the Mariners, general manager Brian Cashman wouldn't say whether the Yankees were interested. Barry Bonds is also a free agent, although his agent, Jeff Borris, said Monday that "prospects look bleak" for the all-time home run king to land with a big-league team this season. ..."

"Barry Bonds' agent said "it's pretty obvious" the home run king won't play in the majors this year, his strongest comments to date about the unlikelihood of Bonds returning to uniform. "I'm not optimistic any team will take him," agent Jeff Borris told The Chronicle on Monday. "I'm not a pessimistic person by nature, but it's pretty obvious he will not be a major-leaguer in 2008, because no team believes that he will be a good fit." Borris said the 43-year-old outfielder, who had 28 homers and 66 RBIs with a .480 on-base percentage for the Giants last year, isn't ready to hang up his spikes despite the lack of an interested team. "Barry's not retiring, no," Borris said."

"After internal discussions, the Diamondbacks have opted against pursuing Barry Bonds to aid a flagging offense, team sources indicated Wednesday. Nor are they interested in Texas DH/outfielder Milton Bradley, contrary to a radio report Wednesday. General manager Josh Byrnes did not specifically address Bonds or possible alternatives, but did say that while any moves before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline would likely involve offense, they would be more likely to come via trade."

"The problem with Barry Bonds is that he is both the home-run king and one of the more reviled characters in sports history. News that the Arizona Diamondbacks might - a word that can't be stressed strongly enough - be considering bringing the player to the team has fans wondering if he is worth the trouble. He is the greatest hitter of his generation and has hit more home runs than anybody in the history of Major League Baseball. But he has faced years of steroid accusations and has been indicted on perjury charges for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury about his use of the performance-enhancing drugs. Still, the team, tied for first place, is in desperate need of a power ..."

"By not denying that the club had internal talks regarding free-agent outfielder Barry Bonds, General Manager Josh Byrnes sparked national discussions. But not only have they not moved forward on that front, there were strong indications Wednesday that the Diamondbacks have no plans to pursue the all-time home-run leader. Byrnes wouldn't comment specifically on Bonds, but he said the club was more likely to pursue a trade than a free agent - and that's if it decides to look outside the organization at all."

"With a stated need to improve against right-handed pitching, the Diamondbacks have had internal discussions regarding free agent Barry Bonds. Players also have brought up Bonds' name as a potential offensive booster. And while it may be a good time to pursue Bonds since he would seem to have something to prove after being bypassed this offseason, it is unclear how far the D-Backs will go, even after learning Tuesday that Eric Byrnes is almost certain to miss the remainder of the regular season regardless of whether he needs surgery for his torn left hamstring."

"With all signs pointing toward Eric Byrnes' season being over, the Diamondbacks have been exploring alternatives outside their organization that could provide a lift to their underperforming offense. One name that apparently has been discussed: none other than all-time home run leader Barry Bonds. When asked if Bonds - a free agent who has not drawn interest from teams after not being welcomed back this season by San Francisco - could be a possibility, Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes didn't shoot it down. "He and maybe a couple of others are sort of sitting out there," Byrnes said."

"Barry Bonds to Boston? It is the ultimate deal with the devil. Bonds is a cheater and a liar and a scoundrel. He also is the smartest and most sensible way to help the Red Sox if David Ortiz cannot. Me? I’m all for it. As long as he doesn’t stay at my house. Before we begin, let’s get this out there: The great likelihood is that the Red Sox have no intention of signing Bonds. Prior to last night’s game between the Sox and Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park, general manager Theo Epstein said there was nothing to a recent report that the club was having internal discussions about the slugger."

"Barry Bonds would like to play again but realizes it probably will not happen. That was the impression he left with one of his Hollywood friends, CNN talk-show host Larry King, when they chatted two weeks ago. "I don't think he's going to play again," King said during a visit to China Basin on Friday. "He hasn't said he's not going to play again, but I don't think he's going to play again. He works out. He goes to UCLA, I think, every day. He's on the track. If an offer came, would he take it? My impression is yes. Does he expect it? No.""

"After a day of disparate explanations from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the man who owns Barry Bonds's record-setting 756th home run ball, the controversial ball was driven to Cooperstown, N.Y., on Tuesday. It arrived around 7:45 p.m. Baker said Ecko's personal driver delivered the ball to Horn in Cooperstown. She said an asterisk was laser-cut into the ball above the Major League logo by a master engraver and that the ball was delivered in a specially designed glass case. The case includes the details of how Ecko decided to plant an asterisk on the ball."

"Barry Bonds will only play the big houses, which is smart because his recliner might not fit anywhere else. Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, said the all-time home run leader won't play for an independent minor league team. The question came up because steroid-stained Jay Gibbons signed with the Long Island Ducks last week."

"Now batting for the Red Sox ... Barry Bonds. A DH replacement for injured David Ortiz? Bonds once called Boston a racist city, but he had a different take when his Giants visited Fenway last year. "Beautiful city," he said. Plus, his kid, Nikolai, attended a nearby boarding school, Valley View School in North Brookfield, Mass. Outside a San Francisco courthouse after Friday's not-guilty plea to perjury charges, Bonds had no comment."

"Friday morning, Bonds, his hands in his suit pockets, listened while lead attorney Allen Ruby pleaded not guilty to Bonds' superseding, supersized indictment - a 15-count charge that replaces the indictment issued in December. Ninety minutes later, Judge Susan Illston scheduled a trial for March 2, ostensibly because the legal teams have court commitments until then. Conveniently, that means Bonds will not be tried this baseball season. Which means he is free to play if anyone will have him. A very big if."

"Barry Bonds ’s trial is scheduled to begin March 2 now that he has pleaded not guilty to 14 charges of making false statements under oath about whether he used performance-enhancing drugs and to one charge of obstruction of justice. The plea was entered by Bonds’s lead lawyer, Allen Ruby. Bonds’s next court appearance was scheduled for a pretrial hearing Feb. 17."

"Home run king Barry Bonds fought his way through a throng of television cameras yesterday as he entered the Phillip Burton federal courthouse in San Francisco and entered a not guilty plea to a revised indictment, the latest chapter in the government?s perjury case against the 43-year-old unemployed slugger. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston - the judge who has presided over all of the BALCO trials, including the government?s recent successful prosecutions of cyclist Tammy Thomas and track coach Trevor Graham - set a trial date of March 2, 2009."

"Have you noticed? We are almost into June. And nobody misses Barry Bonds. At least, I have heard no voice say that. No former teammates. No former non-teammates. No followers of the Giants. No peanut vendors at AT"

"It's no coincidence that news of Peter Magowan's possible retirement as managing partner of the Giants is bubbling up at the same time as Barry Bonds news. Bonds' indictment was super-sized this week. Last week, the players association brought up the ever-popular collusion notion on his behalf. There is no escaping from Bonds. Not right now. Not in the near future. And if Magowan, indeed, does step down perhaps as soon as Friday, you can draw a direct line to Bonds as the cause for the effect."

"Federal prosecutors tripled on Tuesday the number of felony charges facing former Giants star Barry Bonds, accused of lying under oath about his use of steroids. But a legal expert said the new indictment wouldn't necessarily increase Bonds' likely maximum sentence of 30 months in prison if he is convicted of all the charges at his upcoming trial."

"Barry Bonds was re-indicted Tuesday by the federal authorities in an effort to fix the original indictment in his perjury case. A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Bonds on 14 counts of making false statements under oath about whether he used performance-enhancing drugs and one count of obstruction of justice. The indictment filed Tuesday came in response to a motion Bonds’s lawyers filed in January to have the case dismissed. United States District Judge Susan Illston ruled in February that federal authorities must either narrow the indictment or bring new charges to proceed with the case."

"I hope some club signs Barry Bonds this summer. And I hope he leads that team to the playoffs with a fusillade of walks and 450-foot homers. I don't wish for this because I have any rooting interest in Bonds. Whether he never homers again or hits 50 more, my opinion of him won't change. No, what I'm rooting for is the unconventional, a general manager who doesn't give a hoot about disapproving scrutiny as long as Bonds can help his team win. If we're going to create entertainment markets in which we reward those who win at all costs, then by Job, I want some executive to stick his neck out and make this move. Because, make no mistake, Bonds can still be a major help to plenty of ..."

"Dear Billy: You've done it again. Turned the A's into winners. Sure it's only May, but every month counts. Congratulations. Just one more thing. Sign Barry Bonds. Yes, that Barry Bonds, the one you talked to back in the fall of '06, or at least that was the story. Didn't your assistant David Forst say, "Barry is one of the guys out there who we're considering ... he's probably the best player in the game the last 15 years. I think anybody would be interested in having his bat in the lineup." So, get that bat. It comes with a lot of baggage, but it also comes with a lot of benefits. The shock value alone is worth the deal."

"Somewhere, Barry Bonds is laughing. He's not working, but he's got to be laughing. Bonds, stuck in baseball limbo, probably is following the latest round of unsavory reports about Roger Clemens, this time involving - yuck - an underage girl. Bonds' sport rejoiced as it washed its hands of him last offseason, even though he escaped with the all-time home run mark. Still, it was supposed to have been that simple: Out goes Bonds, out goes our "problem." Now, a fresh dump truck-load of dirt lands on Clemens every other week, and as it does, it also lands on baseball."

"Leyland has great respect for Bonds and his abilities. Would Leyland be amenable to having Bonds with the Tigers if Sheffield finds the bat does not return?"

"It's amazing. The Jays just dumped Frank Thomas, a future hall of fame hitter with a great on-base percentage who can't play a position any more and is more concerned about personal goals than team achievement. And with the Big Hurt less than 48 hours out the door, there's a groundswell of Jays fans looking to sign Barry Bonds, a player with a lot of the same stuff on his resumé, just more of it. That's crazy."

"Barry Bonds was prepared to play baseball this season, so he asked Sam Holman to have a dozen bats ready for him. Holman, the founder of the Original Maple Bat Corporation, has made Bonds’s bats since 1997. Holman set aside 12 pieces of the lightest-density wood he had, stored them in his factory in Gatineau, Quebec, and waited to see if Bonds got a job. But no one has signed Bonds. Now Holman has doubts about whether Bonds, baseball’s career home run leader, will play in the major leagues this season."

"While Dombrowski simplified things by saying, "We just haven't played good baseball," the blogosphere is loaded with commentary about what he ought to do, and one prevailing suggestion is hiring Barry Bonds - the talk escalated when designated hitter Gary Sheffield missed time with a torn tendon in his left ring finger."

"Barry Bonds’s larger-than-life presence with the San Francisco Giants has been essentially replaced by a small plaque in right-center field that marks the record-setting 756th career home run he hit in August."

"Barry Bonds, who faces similar charges to Thomas's, is likely to take heed of all this. But since he has already faced extensive public humiliation, the only thing in the Thomas trial that might inspire him to reassess his not-guilty stance is the legal fearsomeness of Novitzky."

"Bonds will eventually find his Owner Jones and a new team out there this season, probably sooner rather than later, but it won't be the Texas Rangers, at least not as long as Tom Hicks can resist that temptation."

"The federal agent who led the investigation into BALCO stepped down from the witness stand Tuesday in the perjury and obstruction trial of a former elite cyclist in U.S. District Court. However, what IRS Special Agent Jeff Novitzky said during nine hours of testimony, stretching across three days, will be studied — and could have impact — long after a verdict is rendered on Tammy Thomas."

"The last homer hit by steroids-dogged slugger Barry Bonds was put up for auction Monday and is expected to fetch $1 million by the end of a 13-day bidding war. Bonds' 762nd career dinger went on the auction block at 10 a.m. for a minimum bid of $100,000. By 4 p.m., no one had placed a bid."

"Brian Sabean sat alone at the end of the home dugout Friday afternoon, bundled up in a black jacket beneath gray skies and persistent drizzle, watching this year's edition of the San Francisco Giants take batting practice."

"So long, Barry, and don't let the door hit you as you're leaving. Such is the message you get at AT&T Park, one of the most beautiful major league baseball venues in America. The locals will tell you this is the House That Bonds Built, but you'd never know Barry Bonds played here unless you walk through the bowels of the stadium to see tributes to his MVP seasons."

"The Giants haven't made a smart Barry Bonds decision in nearly three years. Now comes word that they've essentially removed his memory from the ballpark, and aside from an embarrassing lack of tact, it ignores the Giants' biggest selling point in their 50th-anniversary season: tradition."

"The Giants opened the doors of AT&T Park on Wednesday to show the media what's different in the ballpark this season. But we already know what's different. Gone are the enormous banners that adorned the light standards. Gone is the mural that covered the left-field wall. Gone is the counter showing career home runs. Gone are the rubber chickens. Gone, we can presume (though the clubhouse was locked), are the personal TV and invisible ropes in the corner. Gone: any sign of Barry Bonds."

"Ladies and gentlemen, Barry Bonds has left the building. It's official, and historic, although not original. That announcement could have been made during the eighth inning of several Giants' home games last season. Now Bonds really is gone from The House that Barry Helped Build. I verified that Wednesday afternoon. The Giants hosted their annual Media Day, and I peeled away from the guided ballpark tour to peek inside the Giants' clubhouse."

"He's gone. Every trace, the paintings on the left field fence, the numbers on the center field bricks, even the rubber chickens beyond the right field stands hung for every intentional walk. Barry Bonds is gone from AT&T, and he ain't coming back."

"He is still unemployed, but Friday home run king Barry Bonds got some positive legal news, as a federal judge postponed the slugger's perjury and obstruction of justice case while the government rewrites the indictment."

"Barry Bonds is still out of work, and the players' union is wondering why. Union head Donald Fehr told reporters in Arizona yesterday that his staff will examine possible collusion against Bonds and other remaining free agents."

""I'm not going to retire. I don't think that's going to happen," he said by telephone from Los Angeles. "I'm working out, I'm training. If my phone rings, it rings, if it don't, it don't. I have a cell phone. I have a Blackberry. They work. If something comes up, I'm sure they'll let me know. I'll come back in July if I have to. It depends on the circumstances.""

"Barry Bonds was at his Coors Field locker moments after hitting his 762nd home run, and I reminded him that the ball he hit wasn't marked by Major League Baseball and that nobody truly would know its whereabouts if it was the last home run he hit."

"What could well be Barry Bonds' last home run, No. 762, will be sold at an online auction, the owner of the ball said Thursday. At a news conference in Denver, Jameson Sutton, 24, of Boulder, Colo., said he snagged the former Giant's record-setting homer Sept. 5 at Coors Field and that he plans to sell the ball in an auction beginning March 31. He's hoping the ball goes for $1 million or more."

"Jameson Sutton pulled his version of the hidden-ball trick, and it could bring him as much as $1 million. The 24-year-old Boulder resident revealed Thursday he retrieved the ball hit by Barry Bonds for a 762nd career home run at Coors Field on Sept. 5 - which could end up as baseball's career record. Sutton secured the ball during a three-man scramble, and a spokesman for SCP Auctions - which will launch a two-week online bidding war beginning March 31 (SCPAuctions.com) - said it could be worth as much as $1 million."

"Barry Bonds' 762nd home run ball is going up for auction, and the owner swears it's the ball. The polygraph says so, too. Jameson Sutton, a 24-year-old fan in Denver, emerged from a scramble Sept. 5. "I ended up being in the right place at the right time," he said. Yes. A place and time confirmed by video review."

"Now it's the New York Mets, and in reality it makes sense that Barry Bonds's return to the game — which appears less far-fetched than, say, four months ago — should come with a big-market team desperate for a postseason boost."

"The Mets have an immediate hole in left field, and a lineup currently devoid of power with multiple sluggers sidelined with nagging injuries. But asked last night if there is any remote merit to stories suggesting a pursuit of controversial slugger Barry Bonds is possible, a high-ranking Mets official insisted there is no interest in taking on the monumental baggage - which includes charges of perjury and obstruction of justice - stemming from the out-of-work home run king's involvement in baseball's ongoing steroids mess."