Circus comes to Arizona
Barry Bonds angrily sidestepped questions about his role in baseball’s steroid scandal upon his arrival at spring training Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz., pronouncing himself weary but ready to begin his pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home run record.
In the 40-year-old Bonds’ first public comments since his grand jury testimony was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle and reported in December, he had nothing to say about it, citing legal constrictions. But he had harsh words for the media and fans still consumed by the circumstances of his record-setting home run binge.
“You guys are like re-running stories,” Bonds said to the huge group of reporters in attendance. “This is old stuff. It’s like watching ‘Sanford and Son.’ It’s almost comical, basically. … Are you guys jealous, upset, disappointed, what?”
The San Francisco Giants slugger, who has 703 homers, is on the verge of catching Babe Ruth, who is second on baseball’s career list with 714. Aaron is first with 755.
Bonds, dressed casually in a black shirt and jeans, was asked whether he thinks using steroids is cheating.
“I don’t know what cheating is,” he said. “I don’t believe steroids can help your eye-hand coordination, technically hit a baseball. I just don’t believe it. That’s my opinion.”
Bonds said the key to his continued success and strength in the later years of his career has been “hard work, that’s about it.”
Martinez takes mound for Mets
With New York Mets owner Fred Wilpon watching his prize pitcher from behind the cage, Pedro Martinez turned in a sizzling 30-pitch preview in a live batting practice session in Port St. Lucie, Fla., providing a glimpse of what the team can expect for its $55-million investment.
But as he and Mike Piazza, who missed two games in 1998 when he was hit in the left hand by Martinez, resulting in some bad blood between the two, shook hands on the mound when the workout was complete, it was a symbol of exactly why this team could be much different with these two working for a common cause.
“He’s a real S.O.B. on the mound, and that translates over. He gives the team confidence behind him,” said Piazza. “He’s the first to tell you that and that’s what’s made him so great, and that’s what we’re looking for. That’s what we need: tenacity. He sets the tone when he’s out there.
“He brings out emotion on both sides, but that’s the guy you want for the big game. That’s it. You don’t want someone who’s going to be timid out there, because the best leaders are the guys who aren’t afraid to lead.”
Coleman wins Ford Frick Award
Jerry Coleman, the longtime voice of the San Diego Padres, was chosen as this year’s winner of the Ford C. Frick Award.
Coleman beat out nine other finalists for the prize honoring baseball broadcasters, the Hall of Fame announced.
Known for his trademark call “Oh, doctor” and his concise play-by-play calls, Coleman spent nine seasons with the New York Yankees as a player from 1949-57 before starting his broadcasting career in 1960. An on-air personality for 41 years, Coleman has spent 32 seasons broadcasting for the Padres – including the past 23.
Neagle feels good about comeback
Denny Neagle’s bid to revive his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays is getting a lift from an old ally – his arm.
The 36-year-old left-hander hasn’t pitched in a major league game since July 2003 because of injuries, but he’s showing signs in spring training of finally being ready to put elbow and shoulder surgery behind him.
Each time he throws, Neagle said, he feels better.
“I think that’s the way it’s going to be with me. Even in normal spring training, coming off no surgeries, I’ve always been a guy who gets stronger each outing, each bullpen session, each live (batting practice),” he said.
Since last pitching for Colorado 19 months ago, Neagle has had surgery on his left elbow (July 30, 2003) and left shoulder (July 2, 2004). Although he has a career record of 124-92 with a 4.24 ERA, he’s just 19-23 with a 5.57 ERA since signing a five-year, $51 million contract with the Rockies in December 2000.
Orioles’ Julio ailing already
Baltimore Orioles reliever Jorge Julio has been sidelined with a strained right forearm, an injury that could force him to miss the regular-season opener and definitely hinders his chances of winning the closer’s job out of spring training.
Julio has inflammation of the flexor muscle and will be placed on a rehabilitative throwing program for the next three weeks. The Orioles hope to have the right-hander back on the mound in the middle of their exhibition schedule, although there are no guarantees.