Bonds’ aunt battled homelessness
Barry Bonds’ aunt spent months living in her car and a homeless shelter last year after a wreck left her out of a job, but the former U.S. Olympian said she was too proud to ask the baseball star for help.
Rosie Bonds Kreidler, who ran in the 80-meter hurdles at the 1964 Summer Olympics, moved last week into a new studio apartment in Oakland, Calif., in a facility for low-income seniors, the Oakland Tribune reported.
The 61-year-old Kreidler said she did not go to Barry Bonds after her insurance stopped paying for physical therapy. Her neck, back and several ribs were broken when a tractor-trailer rammed her car while on vacation in New Mexico, and she was unable to return to work as a nurse.
“If he knew, he would help … but it’s hard. Maybe I’m nuts,” Kreidler said.
Bonds declined to comment on the article when it came out Saturday. The San Francisco Giants said it was a personal matter for Bonds and that they had no comment. The Giants played Tuesday night at San Diego.
Kreidler is sister to the late slugger Bobby Bonds, Barry’s father. She stuck up for her nephew, who has been accused of using steroids.
“I don’t think, given our family’s DNA and physiology, that we need enhancers,” she said.
“The Rev. Jesse Jackson says Major League Baseball and San Diego police failed to protect Barry Bonds and should be trying to find out who threw a syringe at him in the Giants’ opener.
The object was thrown near the San Francisco slugger as he came off the field following the eighth inning Monday night in San Diego. Bonds picked up the syringe – about the size of a fat cigar – and carried it off the field.
Sabathia out 3 to 5 weeks
Cleveland Indians ace lefty C.C. Sabathia was put on the 15-day disabled list and is expected to be out three to five weeks with a strained right oblique muscle.
The 6-foot-7, 290-pound Sabathia was hurt in Sunday night’s season opener against the Chicago White Sox and had to leave in the third inning after throwing just 37 pitches. His injury is similar to one he had a year ago, when he began the season on the DL after hurting the muscle in spring training. He missed six weeks but still finished 15-10.
No testing prior to WBC
The World Anti-Doping Agency wasn’t allowed to conduct unannounced drug tests before the World Baseball Classic and still can’t determine whether the sport’s governing body complied with its code.
WADA said in a statement that the International Baseball Federation, which was put in charge of testing by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, allowed its out-of-competition testing agreement with WADA to expire in December and didn’t renew it until after the tournament, which was played March 3-20.
Clearing the bases
Salomon Torres agreed to a $6.5 million, two-year contract extension with the Pittsburgh Pirates that includes a club option for 2009. … Oakland shortstop Bobby Crosby likely will miss about a week with a bruised and cut index finger on his left hand. … Kris Benson’s outspoken wife, Anna, withdrew her petition for divorce.