‘Relieved’ Bonds posts note on site
Barry Bonds expressed “relief” that the federal grand jury considering possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against him expired without an indictment.
The San Francisco slugger, who hit his 722nd career home run Thursday night in a win against the San Diego Padres, declined to talk to reporters only hours after federal prosecutors decided not to indict him for now, but he made a journal entry on his personal Web site.
“First off, I would like to say that what happened today is not a moment of joy for me, but one of temporary relief,” Bonds said in his latest posting on www.barrybonds.com.
“An investigation happened and hopefully it is over. I do want to make it clear that there are no hard feelings for the legal process, but I feel there comes a point where everyone needs to move on.”
The investigation into Bonds is still ongoing, but it appears less likely that an indictment would have an effect on Bonds and the Giants this season, which could be his last in San Francisco after 14 years with the club.
Bonds left the Giants’ game against the San Diego Padres on Friday night with a contusion in the quadriceps area of his left leg.
A-Rod reaches 450 earliest
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to reach 450 home runs when he hit one against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The three-run homer in the third inning off A.J. Burnett was also Rodriguez’s 2,000th hit.
Rodriguez, who turns 31 on Thursday, is the eighth player to get his 2,000th hit before his 31st birthday.
Ken Griffey Jr. was the previous youngest to reach 450. He was 31 years, 261 days old when he did it Aug. 9, 2001.
Young returns from leave
Dmitri Young, who left the Detroit Tigers on May 22 to undergo treatment for substance abuse at a California rehab center, was activated from the disabled list and has rejoined his club.
Young was in the starting lineup as the designated hitter against Oakland and finished with two hits, including the go-ahead single.
Young was arrested on April 14 for assaulting a woman outside a suburban Detroit hotel, and pleaded no contest to the charge in June.
Young spent 30 days in the rehabilitation facility and three weeks working out with minor league teams.
“I’m in great shape, and I’ve learned a lot about myself,” he said. “I’m accountable for my actions now.”
Young, a switch hitter, was batting .169 with four RBIs in 15 games with the Tigers this season before his return.
Young is happy for the opportunity, but he said sobriety is a bigger priority than his batting average.
Clearing the bases
San Francisco acquired Shea Hillenbrand from Toronto, two days after the Blue Jays booted him from the team for clashing with management. … Baltimore left-hander Erik Bedard missed his scheduled start against Tampa Bay because of food poisoning. Russ Ortiz replaced Bedard. … Toronto right-hander Pete Walker will undergo season-ending surgery next week to repair a torn rotator cuff. … Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan was suspended for two games and fined for his actions in a game against Arizona.