Bonds says he's done after 2005

[Guest OctoberBlood]

http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/b...04/05bonds.html

Knight Ridder New Service

Published on: 5/4/04

 

New York -- Barry Bonds intends to retire after next season, and it's not the Balco investigation or the walks that have led to his decision.

 

"Because I want to leave and do something else," he said Tuesday, before the Giants played the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

 

And what would that be?

 

"That's none of your business."

 

Bonds, making $18 million this season, is in the third year of a four-year guaranteed deal. He has an option year for 2006 that kicks in if he achieves two incentive clauses: 1,500 plate appearances over the final three seasons of the contract, and at least 400 plate appearances each year.

 

But Bonds has made up his mind, for now at least, that the option year won't matter.

 

Would Bonds leave if were approaching Hank Aaron's career home run record of 755?

 

"Probably," he said.

 

"I'm not playing until I'm 105 years old," Bonds said. "I'm playing until I feel my time is up."

 

Bonds said he would be open to finishing his career as a designated hitter, but only in California (A's and Angels, take notice) to remain near his family. And once his career is over, he would like to mentor a young player, much like Willie Mays did for him, though he said he wouldn't be interested in coaching.

 

Bonds at times opened up and at others retreated during an uncharacteristic impromptu interview session in front of his locker. Bonds usually doesn't speak to reporters before games, but even a sinus infection that kept him out of the starting lineup didn't stop a glassy-eyed Bonds, sniffling all the way, from taking questions on a variety of subjects.

 

He began with subdued short answers.

 

On whether he can hit .400, Bonds, hitting a major-league-leading .463, said the increase in pitching specialists and substitutions won't allow it.

 

"Nobody's going to hit .400," he said. "Not even me."

 

On asterisks in the record book: "My records aren't going anywhere," he said. "Trust me."

 

By the end of the 45-minute session, long after his teammates had left for batting practice, Bonds seemed to be enjoying himself. He moved out of the surrounding huddle to spit some tobacco juice into a garbage can, then returned to hold court, providing some surprising answers.

 

On Greg Anderson, Bonds' personal trainer and longtime friend, who has been indicted in the Balco investigation: "My brother's done some bad things, but he will always be a friend of mine. Always, with a capital 'A.' "

 

And on a question of guilt by association, Bonds made his point with a revealing response.

 

"I wish my dad didn't drink in his day," Bonds said. "He's still my father, but I can't change that. Just because my dad drank and was an alcoholic, does that mean I was with him?

 

"My brother does drugs. He's recovering. He's my brother and I love him to death, but am I going with my brother doing drugs? Of course not. You don't have any evidence. So what are you worried about?"

 

Bonds continued to distance himself from the scandal by saying, "There ain't nobody investigating me. Not since I checked."

 

The root of the problem, Bonds explained, is the media. In his view, their unending search for negativity has changed the perception of the game for the worse.

 

"But I don't have to go home to my child and say I wrote something nasty about somebody else," he said. "Never."

ZING~!

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Don't let the door knob hit you where the good lord split you, Barry...

[Mik 0]

He only said he intends to. Even athletes that promise they will retire often don't, which I'm sure Anglesault could tell us about.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

He won't retire if he hasn't broken the homerun record by then.

[nl5xsk1 0]

I thought that Bonds said that he only cares about beating Babe Ruth's 714, and not Aaron's 755. So if he's not above Aaron, he might still retire.

 

But, more importantly, who's nutts will ESPN lick 24x7 if/when Barry BALCO is retired?

[Mik 0]

Michael Vick.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Barry Bonds says a lot of things. Even he said he doesn't believe half of what he says. He's gonna go for the record and he knows it.

[Ripper 0]

Michael Vick.

They have been too busy sucking tom brady's balls to do that recently, probably him.

[starvenger 0]

I saw a report where they also mentioned that Bonds said "about half of what I say is false", so I suppose that you'll have to take his comments with a heavy does of salt...

[nl5xsk1 0]

Michael Vick.

They have been too busy sucking tom brady's balls to do that recently, probably him.

And that'd be the same Tom Brady that ESPN never mentions as one of the better QBs in the league, right? If you wanted to pick a white QB to say that they blow smoke up his ass, why not pick Peyton Manning?

[starvenger 0]

Michael Vick.

They have been too busy sucking tom brady's balls to do that recently, probably him.

And that'd be the same Tom Brady that ESPN never mentions as one of the better QBs in the league, right? If you wanted to pick a white QB to say that they blow smoke up his ass, why not pick Peyton Manning?

They're too busy picking on Mike Vanderjagt to focus on Manning...

[converge241 0]

bonds can leave or stay or shit ten bricks for all i care

 

but i would be surprised if he really did leave and didnt play a few years as a DH and just keep plugging away with the home runs