Posted on 08/01/2005 7:40:13 PM PDT by Founding Father
SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds doesn't expect to play again this season because of his injured right knee, putting the San Francisco slugger's quest for the career home run record on hold.
"I don't think you're going to see me out there this year," Bonds told MLB.com on Monday. "That's the reality of the situation. I'm improving. I'm happy with the progress. I'm working out hard on the exercise bike and the elliptical machine, but I'm just not there yet. The last thing I want is to get back on the field and be out again a week later."
Bonds said a recent MRI showed some fluid building up in the knee that has been operated on three times since Jan. 31. He said his doctors advised him to wait until next year to return to the Giants.
"He has not informed the Giants of that decision," assistant general manager Ned Colletti told the Associated Press.
Phone messages left for Bonds' publicist, Rachael Vizcarra, and Giants general manager Brian Sabean weren't immediately returned Monday night.
Bonds has 703 home runs, third on the career list behind Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755).
Just last month, Bonds was more optimistic when he joined the team for a road trip in Los Angeles, where he has been rehabbing the knee. On his personal website two weeks ago, Bonds wrote that he was hopeful he could return in September.
But Bonds told MLB.com on Monday that an MRI performed last week by Dr. Arthur Ting showed more swelling in the knee.
"The doctors say it's wise for me to work out hard this winter and be ready to go next season," Bonds said. "I want to be out there and play the whole year.
"I'm just going to listen to what the doctors tell me. The doctors are telling me to let it heal, so I'm going to let it heal."
The 41-year-old Bonds now hopes to be ready for opening day in 2006, the final season of his contract with the Giants.
"That's what my goal is right now and I expect to be ready," he said. "But the doctors are telling me playing this year might put that in jeopardy, that I could undo any gains I've already made. No matter how much I want to play, I'm not going to let that happen."
The Giants (45-59) have struggled mightily without Bonds, but are still only 5½ games behind Arizona and San Diego in the weak NL West. The Giants hoped their star slugger could return in time to help them make a playoff push.
"I know I could help if I was out there," he said. "This is my life. This is my career -- on the baseball field. But right now, I can't help and it's killing me."
Bonds batted .362 last season with 45 homers and 101 RBI and walked a major league-record 232 times on the way to his record seventh MVP award.
AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004-2005, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
It would be a great tragedy for Bonds to break Aaron's record. Aaron is easily one of the classiest persons in the game, while Bonds is a classic a**hole.
Bonds, the fatherly type, back during the ballplayer's 1994 strike, went to court to have his child support reduced. The judge bitchslapped him out of court.
FYI..take a look at the NL WEST standings...It's the division NOBODY wants...the Giants are 5.5 games behind..every team is under .500. If Bons came back now..they could well win it..
"Yeah, now that the ster-a-ma-loids focus is on that Palm-arrow dude, I can slide in low! Unredetected!"
is --> be
NL WEST standings...It's the division NOBODY wants
My Padres who have been in first place have been playing
all year with at least two or more of its regular players
out with surgeries or major injuries, not including
a couple of our starting pitchers. Our catcher who has
been playing hurt just went out for surgery.
Ouch...but does that explain one win in their last 14 games?
lol!
Bonds is ducking the juice police.
How much had he been ordered to pay?
After a certain amount, "child" support turns into "ex-wife's play money" support or "turning your child into a pathetically spoiled brat" support.
Either $14,000 or $16,000 per month. I can't remember now. The purpose of child support is for the kids to have the same lifestyle as if the parents were together---don't argue with me about that, see your state legislator.
My point is Barry likes to portray himself as some great father, but when HE went out on strike, the first thing he did was try to argue that he lost his income and was entitled to a reduction in child support. The judge asked him if he was on strike or locked out; Barry said on strike and the judge tore him a new one.
i agree.. barroid bonds should have NO home run records.
but does that explain one win in their last 14 games
They still have several regulars out, position players
and starting pitchers.
He needs more time to make sure the steroids are out of his system. IMO.
What were the Padres thinking, trading Nevin?
What were the Padres thinking, trading Nevin?
I have mixed views on that one. He seemed to have
injuries, not productive as he could be. Also
he tended to be somewhat of a hot head
He really didn't want to be traded but he saw it
wasn't going to work out.
Well, this brings up two different issues.
First issue: Is Barry Bonds a jerk?
From what I have read throughout the years, the answer is, "You betcha!"
Second issue: Is spending $16,000 per month on a child detrimental to the child?
From my experience, you betcha.
I have never been divorced and my wife and two kids live under my roof, so, I have no ax to grind regarding divorce decrees.
However, I have seen the corrosive effect of too much money in my own family and in other families.
Too much money lavished on children has left David Kennedy dead and Christina Onassis dead from drug overdoses.
Too much money lavished on children made my grandfather a ne'er-do-well that, as my uncle (aunt's husband) explained to me when I asked him why none of my aunts or older cousins would talk to me about him, "a man that was given everything and accomplished nothing."
The double whammy of the Depression and then Castro ruled out any childhood money for both my father and myself and gave me the fire-in-the-belly that made me what my uncle described in that same conversation as "a man who was given nothing but has achieved a great deal".
I could now easily spend $16,000 per month on my kids. But, I would consider that child abuse.
I did not repeat my great-grandfather's mistake.
This past month, while on vacation in Mexico, my daughter was troubled as to what to order at a restaurant. I asked her what the problem was and she said that there was no Kid's Menu and that the adult menu prices were 100 Pesos (10 Dollars US) which was "very expensive".
I told her to order whatever she wanted, as Dad could afford it, but I was extremely proud of her in that she respected the value of 10 dollars.
Oh. It's been awhile since I followed the Padres. When I worked down in San Diego it seemed like the team revolved around Nevin.
Things change, don't they? Our Mariners once revolved around Bret Boone and Edgar Martinez.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.