Barry Bonds wore a hallowed number Monday night at Coors Field, honoring Jackie Robinson with 42 on his back. As he chases the sport’s most hallowed number – 755 home runs – baseball is not embracing his historic pursuit.
A one-time supporter of Bonds, home run king Hank Aaron has said in multiple interviews that he will not be there when Bonds breaks his record. Commissioner Bud Selig has explained that the achievement will be treated just like any other record being broken. He has not committed to attending.
Sitting comfortably in the visiting team’s dugout at Coors Field, recording his own news conference, Bonds said his chase has not become joyless, regardless of how it’s celebrated.
“I just think it’s too much of a topic. I think the media is blowing that out of proportion,” said Bonds, who went 1-for-3 for the Giants on Monday, narrowly missing his 738th homer when he lined a fourth-inning single off the right-field scoreboard. “This year I have pretty much tried to stay away from me. I just want to do things to help us win and not talk about me.”
Bonds did want to clarify his position about Aaron, making it clear that he would not be drawn into a controversy with the Hall of Famer. When Aaron threw a ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night, the crowd chanted, “Barry (stinks)!”
“I didn’t see that at all,” Bonds said. “I appreciate that you guys have a great story about it.”
Aaron, who did not respond to interview requests from The Denver Post, has not reached out to Bonds. He was an admirer of the Giants slugger, but Aaron was troubled by Bonds’ leaked grand jury testimony in the BALCO case regarding his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Aaron told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he would be golfing when Bonds hits No. 756.
“Again it has nothing to do with anybody, other than I had enough of it. I don’t want to be around that sort of thing anymore,” Aaron said. “It’s going to be a no-win situation for me anyway. If I go, people are going to say, ‘Well, he went because of this.’ If I don’t go, they’ll say whatever. I’ll just let them make their own mind up.”
Bonds called the press coverage of Aaron’s potential absence a “tragedy.” He referred to Aaron as a mentor, along with his godfather, Willie Mays, and Robinson.
“It’s sad because I have nothing but love for Hank Aaron. Period,” Bonds said. “Hank is at the forefront of history, just like Babe Ruth is at the forefront of history. We all admired and loved them for what they have accomplished. I am not going to allow the press or anybody to say anything different out of my mouth. The day I talk to Hank Aaron face to face and something is said, I will have a comment.”
As Bonds passed Ruth last season, he absorbed criticism from players such as David Wells, who called his achievements into question because of steroid accusations. There has been a subtle shift this year. Bonds is receiving more support, in part, because three years after his leaked grand jury testimony he still has not been indicted or tested positive for steroids or human growth hormone.
“I am rooting for him to break it. I hope he does and that he’s appropriately honored,” said Colorado Springs reliever Matt Herges, a former Bonds teammate.
Added the Rockies’ Steve Finley: “It should be celebrated. I think he should go for the record and a lot more. He might be the greatest hitter to ever play the game.”
It’s home run trots, however, for which Bonds is famous. Even if they aren’t embraced.
“I am doing fine. I am happy,” Bonds said. “I can’t complain.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renckcan be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
