WASHINGTON – The Barry Bonds road show began yesterday just minutes from Capitol Hill, and Bonds had a message for those politicians who have been investigating steroid use in baseball – leave us alone.
“There are other issues that are more important,” said Bonds a few hours before the Giants faced the Nationals. “Right now people are losing lives and don’t have homes. I think that’s a little more serious – a lot more serious.”
Unlike some of his colleagues, Bonds did not have to testify in March before the House Government Reform Committee because of his role in the BALCO investigation. Bonds was in Washington last night trying to regain his MVP form and help the Giants get to the postseason. They entered last night’s game six games behind the Padres in the NL West.
Bonds met with the media for about 15 minutes, answering questions on everything from his health to Rafael Palmeiro, whom he called a “good friend.” Palmeiro left the Orioles after being unable to deal with the boos and heckling he received on the road after returning from a steroid suspension. Bonds likely will be treated the same way as the Giants venture on a 10-game road trip.
“I suspect that he’s going to get a lot of boos on the road but unlike Palmeiro is this going to affect his performance? No,” Giants owner Peter Magowan said. “If anything, it seems to spur him on. He’s always played very well on the road.
“You won’t see him with ear plugs, let’s put it that way.”
Bonds returned to the Giants last week after missing the fist 5½ months while recovering from three knee surgeries and an infection. He already has made an impact with the team, hitting two homers in his first 16 at-bats. He now has 705 home runs, nine behind Babe Ruth and 50 behind Hank Aaron on the all-time list.
Nationals manager Frank Robinson, who was outspoken in his criticism of Palmeiro, said Bonds’ numbers do not deserve an asterisk unless something is proven. Bonds pointed out that he has never failed a drug test and said he’s been tested twice this season.
“Has anything been proven that he has used something illegal?” Robinson said. “Then, why are we talking about asterisks? I said if someone was proven to use steroids or enhancing drugs then, as far as I’m concerned, their numbers should be wiped out. But nothing has been proven that Barry Bonds has done any of that stuff, so you have to look at him like you would at any other player that has had a terrific career and continues to add to that.”
Bonds seemed in a good mood yesterday, smiling and telling a few jokes during his meeting with the press. He spent a few minutes before the game in the stands talking to two of his nephews. Bonds said he is tired of defending himself.
“I’ve been tarnished in baseball for years and years, brother,” Bonds said. “There’s nothing you guys can write or people can say that will ever fix that. It doesn’t matter anymore. I go out there and enjoy the game.”