San Francisco – Barry Bonds’ pursuit of Hank Aaron remains mired in controversy and uncertainty. With the San Francisco Giants’ slugger just five home runs shy of breaking baseball’s all-time home run record, commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday that he hasn’t decided whether he will attend the historic event.
He answered the question before it was asked during a meeting with Baseball Writers Association of America members.
“It’s something that’s very personal, a very sensitive issue that I don’t want to talk about,” Selig said. “I understand that it’s the most hallowed record in sports, and if I was in your position I would be asking the same question. But I don’t know what I am going to do.”
Despite repeated inquires, Selig offered no clear explanation for why he hasn’t decided at this late date. He said it’s not related to Sen. George Mitchell’s investigation. Selig claims he has spoken to Mitchell only a few times about the probe and never about Bonds. Selig’s friendship with Aaron is a factor. And Aaron has stated repeatedly that he won’t be present when Bonds hits his 756th career home run.
“This is something different,” Selig said. “I will act in the best interests of baseball. I will make my judgment at the right time.”
Bonds has not questioned Aaron’s stance, repeatedly talking about him in glowing terms. He’s not as understanding with Selig’s position.
“I think it’s terrible the way it has gone down. But that’s up to Bud. That’s not up to me,” Bonds said.
While Selig’s game of chicken with Bonds dominated Tuesday’s meeting, he covered a variety of other topics. A summary of Selig on:
* Developing a urine test to detect HGH:
Baseball has given Dr. Don Catlin, the chief of the Olympic Analytical Laboratory at UCLA, a $500,000 grant for research spread out over three years. Selig said baseball would continue to provide grant money until a test is developed.
“I have great frustration on human growth hormone,” Selig said. “I hope Dr. Catlin will find a suitable test.”
The problem is, even Catlin doubts that a urine test will be developed. Neither the commissioner’s office nor the players’ union has embraced a blood test to detect HGH.
* Whether he would intervene if Bonds sat out games to break the home run record at home:
Selig is sensitive to the idea of any game being affected by a less-than-representative lineup.
“You have to play your best players, but Barry has rested before,” Selig said. “Once you hit 42, it’s certainly understandable. And if his knee is bothering him, he’s not one of their best players.”
* Changing the first round of playoffs to best-of-seven:
He’s not inclined to add more games to the division series. “Something inside me likes three out of five,” he said.
* The Marlins’ ballpark:
Selig said he likes South Florida, but said: “The ballpark is not major-league in any way, shape or form. They need a new stadium.”
* Eliminating representation for every team in the All-Star Game:
Selig doesn’t believe the concept has outlived its usefulness. “Every team should be here,” he said.
