San Francisco – Barry Bonds turned up at the Home Run Derby after all – as a spectator, not a slugger.
Bonds, 42, turned down the opportunity to participate. He was viewed as the game’s host, and his decision was criticized locally. NFL legend Jerry Rice wondered why Bonds didn’t want to take over the stage Monday night. In the end, Bonds made a concession to age.
“I just can’t do it. If it was just one round, that’s one thing,” Bonds said. “But it’s about what’s best for my team.”
Bonds sounded surprised that he hasn’t been asked to do more events surrounding the All-Star Game. He thought it would have been cool to make an appearance with Willie Mays, for instance. Regardless, Bonds wasn’t keeping a low profile. He was co-hosting a huge party Monday with rapper/music mogul Jay-Z. Bonds spent nearly an hour talking with Alex Rodriguez during the Home Run Derby.
“If he played anywhere else, he would easily have 800 by now,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t think people realize how hard it is for left-handed hitters to hit it out here.”
Several players defended Bonds, whose pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home- run record has been mired by steroid controversies and endless booing from fans outside of San Francisco. Minnesota’s Torii Hunter called the coverage of Bonds unfair – with a caveat.
“He hasn’t been found guilty of anything. I have always been behind him,” Hunter said. “If you find something on him, then I am gone. But you haven’t found anything. Hank Aaron should be there when he breaks the record. (Commissioner) Bud Selig should be there. This is big. They should celebrate it.”
Looking for pitching
In a discussion last week, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle painted a picture of a very active general manager in Dan O’Dowd. He said the media had no idea how many calls his boss was making in an attempt to find pitching. A clearer picture of the club’s aggressiveness emerged this week.
Colorado contacted the White Sox to find out the asking price on Chicago’s Mark Buehrle before he signed his contract extension Sunday. Though details are unknown, the White Sox asked about third-base prospect Ian Stewart. It makes sense given Joe Crede’s injury and pending free agency.
He said it
Jim Leyland, at his best, has a lit cigarette and a dry wit. After introducing his AL lineup, Leyland, the former Rockies manager, unleashed the day’s best one-liner when asked about Bonds.
“It’s a great tribute to his career that he’s here. I am looking forward to having a chance to spend a little time with him. He’ll probably blow me off – but I am looking forward to it,” Leyland said to laughter.
Fuentes talks with peers
One of the perks of being an all-star is picking brains. Struggling Rockies pitcher Brian Fuentes said he would use the time to speak to other closers on dealing with adversity.
“We do talk. It’s kind of like we are a fraternity,” Fuentes said.
Added San Diego’s Trevor Hoffman, baseball’s all-time saves leader: “Brian is one of the best in the game. We all struggle. He’s going to be fine.”
Fuentes believes he will regain his closer’s role soon, but not before a few more appearances as a setup man. Fuentes said he fixed some mechanical flaws in his last outing, even though his arm was “dragging.” He believes he could have pitched last weekend with his strained back muscle, but there was no sense in risking a more severe injury.
An A creates a rift
NL manager Tony La Russa’s loyalty and respect for his pitching coach, Dave Duncan, is well known. La Russa admitted Monday that their relationship was nearly disrupted for the first time over their differing opinions on A’s pitcher Dan Haren. The Cardinals traded Haren for Mark Mulder, and now Mulder is hurt and Haren is starting the All-Star Game. Said La Russa: “We make no apologies. We got Mulder and he had a big year for us. We really liked Dan. Dave loved him and was very adamant he be part of our future.”
Power outage
From the ripped biceps to the big cuts, there seems to be power throughout major-league baseball. Until you look at the numbers. Here’s a look at the power totals compared with those at the all-star break a year ago:
Category 2007 2006
Home runs 2,589 2,924
On pace for 40 5 16
With 10 or more 98 116
ERA under 3.00* 10 7
*starters
Source: Major League Baseball
