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9 March 2006
Bonds strikes out in first spring
at-bat in two years
By Janie McCauley, The Associated Press
TEMPE, Ariz. — Boos coming his way from all directions, Barry Bonds slowly stepped into the batter’s box for his first spring appearance in two years and struck out swinging on six pitches.
Bonds, playing in a Cactus League game … the slugger’s first trip to the plate … since 2004. After missing the entire spring schedule last year while recovering from knee surgery, Bonds decided to play Thursday.
The seven-time NL MVP originally said this spring he wouldn’t play in any road games, but the quick trip to Tempe is one of the shortest on San Francisco’s schedule, and he had the chance to play designated hitter. Bonds often has complained of how tired his legs become standing in left field for an entire game while also spending significant time on the bases after being walked.
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A whole game, huh? That’s pretty rough there, buddy, especially considering how you have to spend the entire off-season doing nothing but (ahem) rigorous physical training to, uhm … “condition” yourself for these oh-so-long games.
And hey — I know that walking 90 feet down to first base (as drearily monotonous as that must be for you) can really wear a fella out! The Giants have already shown a willingness to ask others to bend the rules for your sake — maybe they can talk (un)Commisioner Selig into letting you have a designated runner, so you don’t have to spend so much time on the basepaths.
(This, by the way, is the guy who wonders why people don’t like him very much).
