Bonds to retire at end of season, report says

[joeybee12]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11450068/

Bonds to retire at end of season, report says
Slugger, ‘tired of all the crap,’ reportedly will quit, even without HR records

Barry Bonds says he plans to retire after this season, even if he doesn’t break Hank Aaron’s home run record.

The San Francisco Giants star was limited to 14 games last year following three knee operations. He has 708 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron (755).

“I’m not playing baseball anymore after this,” Bonds was quoted by USA Today in a story posted on its Web site Sunday.

[sabbat hunter]

1. cry me a river

He said his decision had nothing to do with the more stringent drug testing he would face in the international competition.

"This has nothing to do with drug testing," Bonds said. "I just don't want to do it. Come on, the World Cup isn't the Olympics. Who cares? Does it mean anything?

"Is it going to cost me in endorsements? Whoop-de-doo. I never had any endorsements, anyways. I don't base my life on that. I go to work like every other American."

what a load of BS.

[erpowers]

2. No Record

If he used steroids I think he should leave the game without the home run record. I do not know if Hank Aaron used steroids, but that has not come out yet so as far as I know Hank Aaron just was a really good hitter. That record should be left untouched if Bonds did use steroids. For anyone wondering if I feel the same about Babe Ruth the answer is yes. Bonds should leave that record untouched if he used steroids. However, if he plays at all this season unless he just gets walked all season he will get the record. So, I think he should have retired before the season begins. However, what I want is for him to come out and say whether or not he used steroids.

[rsdsharp]

3. Bonds has repeatedly said he hasn't used steroids.

The question is whether you believe him. I know of no evidence, or even allegation, that Aaron used steroids. He was a very good hitter, but his career batting average is only 5 points higher than Bonds, and his on base percentage is nearly 50 points lower. He has about a thousand more hits than Bonds, but about 900 fewer walks. Steroids makes you stronger, but it doesn't do much for eye-hand coordination, and nothing for plate discipline.

As for Bonds being assured of getting the record if he plays this year, don't be too sure. He needs 47 to tie and 48 to break the record. In his entire career he's hit more than 46 exactly twice -- 2000 and 2001. If he plays, he will be subject to drug testing, which leads me to believe that he won't use (if he ever has). The only thing that would keep him out of the Hall of Fame is confirmation that he used steroids. I don't think he'll risk that. So if your theory is that his success is due to steroids, it's very unlikely that he will top his past performances when he's not using.