[Lefty Noob]

First he says that he's going to hang them up after '06. Then a day later he apparently changes his mind and say he *might* play in '07. Anyone know just what the heck Barry Bonds is thinking anymore? Hey, Barry, I know you're just 47 homers away from tying Aaron. But, dude, you're 41 years old now and your knees are wrecked. Just give it up already, alright?

[ThePundit]

I really hope he doesn't break Aaron's record. Aaron was and still is ALL CLASS. Bonds is exactly the opposite - a miserable, horrible person. I can't root for a guy like that. I guess Giant fans can, and it must be hard at that.

[wvuauthor]

I totally agree with the above statements. Bonds is miserable and has never been anything but a jerk to everyone-the fans, the media, other players. He needs to hang it up and disappear. He says he just wants left alone, so maybe he should retire and try to keep his mouth shut for once!

Sorry, that may have sounded bitter

[GigEmAgs]

I doubt he'll retire unless he feels he's doing really, really poorly or really hurts himself. Remember, this is a very selfish person here; and all it'll take is an owner waving a big wad of green in his face to make him forget he wants to be left alone. So what if it would be best for the sport if he retired? To guys like Bonds, he is the sport.

Still can't get over the big difference between when McGwire broke the home-run record, and then Bonds broke it shortly thereafter. You'd have thought McGwire singlehandedly saved the world from destruction the way he was feted, while there wasn't that much celebration for Bonds (bet that ticked him off). I know that the McGwire accomplishment was enlivened by the race between him and Sosa, but still -- I guess this shows how much Bonds is disliked, even by the fans.

[Lefty Noob]

Don't forget that baseball was going through some tough times then. Fan interest was low at the time. Then all of a sudden here comes McGwire and Sosa, two charasmatic home run hitters locked in a clash to break one of the most prestigeous records in the sport. It was exactly what baseball needed at the time. It brought fans back to the game. Not to mention that when Bonds did it, there was a "been there, done that" factor to the whole thing.

I'm sure the entire world's dislike for Bonds didn't help, but it wasn't the only factor involved.

[GigEmAgs]

LN, good point -- I'd forgotten about all that. In fact, the "Home Run Derby" that year was one of the things that revitalized my interest in baseball. I was a big fan of the Astros as a kid, and in fact a remember watching some game that went on 22 bloody innings -- anyone else remember that? (I'm probably dating myself here). Anyway, it's lost touch with the sport until I moved to Dallas in '93, and then I mostly just paid attention to the Rangers and Pudge. In a way, I guess, I was one of the fans brought back to the fold myself.

Still think Bonds does a heckuva job of shooting himself in the foot, though.

[ThePundit]

In addition to the points you're all making - the final straw is the fact that he's breaking all of these records on Steroids.

That's why I don't care if Bonds breaks Aaron's record. It means nothing. Aaron played under death threats and pressure that nobody here can possibly imagine. He probably didn't even lift weights.

Bonds should just walk away and go for therapy although I don't think there's enough therapists in the world to deal with all of this guy's issues.

[victory69]

Brry Bonds is a selfish jerk who only cares about hmself. H says things liek that in the mdia to keep his name fresh. all he cares about is breaking the record and his self glorifaction. he would put himself in front of his whole team if he could get the record. he belittles his teamates to maek himself look better. here is something you don't know, when the team goes on the road, Barry get a whole floor in the hotel to himself. my friend was in camp with san francisco a few years ago, and he broke Barry's bat when he was throwing batting practice to him. barry chewed him out because you cant make Barry look bad. Barry is an on going soap opera that will end after he breaks the record we will be happy when he goes. another note, when Mcguire broke the homerun record, the ball sold for over 2 million dollars. when Barry broke Mcguires record, tha ball got less than half a million. People hate Brry because he is a jerk. Brry loves Barry for being a jerk.

[PrideoftheYankees]

The last thing we need is another ungrateful "superstar" like Clemens, who plays the retirement card, accepts the gifts and accolades of the fans and his peers, and then "unretires." My prediction, he'll set the record, let his contract expire at the end of the season, and sign for 3 years in some other city for mega bucks.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, PrideoftheYankees.

You really think he will be playing when he's 44? Even on steroids, that would be pretty impressive if he can keep up with his grandchildren on the team

I'd expect the Barry Bonds retirement announcement way before that.