Giants won’t re-sign Bonds
Barry Bonds is finished in San Francisco.
The Giants told Bonds they will not bring him back next season, ending an era in which he became all-time home run champion and a lightning rod for the steroids debate in baseball.
“It’s always difficult to say goodbye,” Giants owner Peter Magowan said Friday. “There comes a time when, I think, you have to move in a different direction.”
On his Web site, Bonds said he wasn’t done.
“There is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career. My quest for a World Series ring continues,” he said.
Magowan told Bonds in person Thursday night.
“I think he knew the decision was coming. I don’t think it was surprising to him. I think, naturally, he was disappointed,” Magowan said.
La Russa has support
St. Louis Cardinals players want Tony La Russa back for a 13th season.
La Russa’s contract runs out after this year, which he has described as the most difficult of his long career.
Veteran center fielder Jim Edmonds said La Russa should not be blamed for the team’s September collapse.
“He’s one of the most respected people in the game. I don’t think you can take this season out on him, at all.”
St. Louis has dropped 14 out of 16 after Friday’s loss.
Clearing the bases
Boston left fielder Manny Ramirez was out of the starting lineup for the 22nd straight game with a strained left oblique muscle and is not expected to play in this weekend’s series against Tampa Bay at St. Petersburg, Fla. … New York Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge was suspended three games by Major League Baseball, a day after his ejection for arguing balls and strikes during a game against the Marlins. … Arizona infielder Chad Tracy will be sidelined at least five months and perhaps as long as eight months following microfracture surgery on his right knee. … The Pittsburgh Pirates denied they’ve chosen Cleveland Indians special assistant Neal Huntington as their next general manager, saying their search is ongoing. … Former Cleveland pitcher Jason Stanford pleaded not guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct involving an alleged scuffle in a nightclub district of Cleveland.