Posted on 03/22/2005 12:03:44 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Leaning his head on a crutch and repeatedly saying he was tired, Barry Bonds said he might miss the entire season following his latest knee surgery.
``Right now I'm just going to try to rehab myself to get back to, I don't know, hopefully next season, hopefully the middle of the season. I don't know. Right now I'm just going to take things slow,'' he said Tuesday after meeting with San Francisco Giants trainer Stan Conte for 1 1/2 hours.
``I'm 40 years old, not 20, 30.''
The seven-time NL MVP, who returned to spring camp Tuesday following last week's surgery, made his remarks while sitting at a picnic table outside the Giants' clubhouse with his 15-year-old son, Nikolai, at his side.
Bonds said he was tired and disappointed following a winter in which he was accused of steroid use, his grand jury testimony was leaked and he had two knee operations. He blamed his troubles on the media.
``You wanted me to jump off a bridge, I finally did,'' Bonds said. ``You finally brought me and my family down. ... So now go pick a different person.''
Bonds had his latest surgery last Thursday in the Bay Area. Though the Giants have not set a timetable for his return, Conte has said it's unlikely he'll be ready for opening day.
``My son and I are just going to enjoy our lives. You guys wanted to hurt me bad enough, you finally got me,'' Bonds said. ``I'm mentally drained. I'm tired of my kids crying.''
Bonds begins the season third on the career homers list with 703, trailing Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755).
Last September, the Giants dropped a provision that would have allowed them to void Bonds' $18 million salary in 2006 if he failed to reach 500 plate appearances this year or 1,500 combined from 2003 to 2005, including at least 400 this year.
Rick Eymer, a stringer for The Associated Press, contributed to this report.
He's off the juice, he doesn't want to play without the juice.
He's going to start shrinking now too.
I'd hate to see this clown take Hank Aaron's record. I'd even hate to see him pass the Babe.
What an ass.
Before anybody believes Bonds' victim status, keep in mind that we know that he did take steroids. He claims he didn't know that they were. This came out in the Balco testimony.
He'll never play again... he can't Juice It Up anymore, and if he came back and only hit 15 homers this year, there would be no doubters left that he was on 'Roids.
At least Giambi showed up and tried to play after he got off the juice.
How conveeeeenient.
I suspect he's been off the juice for a season or two. Much like I think Sosa & others have been.
Too bad taking 'roids doesn't cure being a jerk. That would be perfect for Bonds.
Yeah, it takes longer to recover without roids. All the players and records of those taking roids need to be thrown out. To me the single-season home run records for 154 and 162 games are still intact.
I'm continually appalled and offended on so many levels by the sheer offensiveness of this assclown.
How did the media hurt his knee?
Did they trip him or something?!
Bonds was much more likable when he ignored the media.
'oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to decieve'
My guess is that he can't play without the juice. His body will start to fall apart, injuries taking a bigger and bigger toll.
Give him 2-4 years. If he skinnies out like Giambi and "Big Mac", folks will know why.
What a POS....there's no doubt in anyones mind that he was juiced. He can't pass a test now and he knows there's no getting around it.
Stupid as his fans are, they'll forget all about this nonsense he's spewing now....Media's fault?
Sad...all those muscles and STILL not even shrunken, tiny cojones. I guess the roids shrink those up huh Bonds?
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