Posted on 03/28/2006 7:43:44 AM PST by mathprof
Seven home runs shy of passing Babe Ruth, this should be a time of unbridled joy and excitement for Barry Bonds. Not so, he says. ''My life is in shambles. It is crazy,'' Bonds said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. ''It couldn't get any crazier. I'm just trying to stay sane.''
Then, clearly joking, he went for shock value: ''Go to the Empire State Building and jump off, commit suicide and people can say, 'Barry Bonds is finally dead.' Except for in San Francisco,'' he said. ''I'll leave something for them.''
Despite those pronouncements, the 41-year-old Bonds has been upbeat and approachable -- by his standards -- this spring despite the recent release of ''Game of Shadows,'' the book detailing his alleged longtime regimen for taking performance-enhancing drugs.
He appears unfazed at the plate. He's 10-for-16 with four homers in exhibition play despite being held out of San Francisco's lineup for the third straight day because of a tender left elbow.
Bonds starts the season next Monday at San Diego with 708 homers, close to Ruth and 48 from breaking Hank Aaron's mark of 755.
Asked how he blocks out distractions, he says:
''What's my job description? That's what I'm doing at that time,'' Bonds said. ''No, I don't forget (what is said). I will never forget. I forgive you but I don't forget. I forgive everybody.''
Bonds teased about starting the season on the disabled list, -- saying ''it could happen'' -- then changed his stance completely and said he ''will'' play in one of the Giants' exhibition games back in the Bay Area later this week.
Bonds certainly looks healthy and vibrant, though still a little heavier than usual.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
If he breaks Hammering Hank's record, will there be an asterisk beside his name in the record books?...because of the steroids?
Distractions, what distractions... shoot me again bro.
Anyone believe his record is legit?
Ruth on steroids might have hit 1000 lifetime homeruns....and 80 in one season.
Boo hoo Barry. I really feel bad for you. I feel as bad for you, as you should feel for destroying the integrity of the game of baseball. Even if you pass Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron, your record will always be tainted. Nice to see your court case thrown out immediately.
My freakishly large head may explode!!!
trying to stay sane? It's not working........
They should start a sports hall of shame for people like him and Pete Rose who went above and beyond to destroy the game. I guess you could add the union representatives too.
He should be removed from the record books entirely and banned from HOF and baseball forever!.......
He really needs to quit for the sake of the game. I gotta think MLB is pressuring him to walk. There's gonna be a shixtstorm of biblical proportions if he breaks the record* this summer.
Should be an asterisk.
Bonds: 'I'm Just Trying to Stay Sane'
I'm afraid that boat has sailed.
Steroids does not give you the eye that Bonds is so clearly gifted with.
No. All his stats should be wiped off the books, including OBP, slugging %, walks, etc. Ditto for Sosa , McGuire, Palmeiro, Giambi, Sheffield, and anyone else who used that crap. Aaron should hold the career HR record, and Maris the single season. And the only substances that can be ingested, and not affect Ruth's 714, should be beers and hot dogs.
No, but they increase his bat speed and power.
I used to call him a modern day Ty Cobb. Unquestionably the best player of his era but also a major league a-hole. Now I can't do that anymore. Cobb didn't cheat.
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