What if Bonds sets record in L.A.?
In the offices of Dodger Stadium, executives will meet this week to discuss a scenario that could horrify Dodgers fans: If Barry Bonds ties or breaks the home run record in Los Angeles, how would the Dodgers commemorate the occasion?
The question is not merely theoretical, not with Bonds stuck at 753, two shy of tying Hank Aaron’s record. The San Francisco Giants play at home this week, then visit Dodger Stadium, and Bonds has not hit three home runs within a week in more than two months.
Bonds did not play Sunday in the Giants’ 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Commissioner Bud Selig will not be in attendance in San Francisco tonight and has no current plans to fly there, spokesman Patrick Courtney said.
If Bonds ties and breaks the record this week, the Giants will celebrate wildly, on the spot, all praise to the hometown hero. If Bonds makes history in L.A., the Dodgers might well temper the celebration, since most of their customers do not hide their contempt for Bonds.
The video of the moment would be replayed forever, with a cascade of boos as the soundtrack. On the other hand, Bonds could save himself a ransom payment for the milestone ball.
“He could hit it in our bullpen, and one of us can catch it and give the ball back to him,” San Francisco reliever Steve Kline said. “I’m afraid some Dodger fan might jump down there and try to stab me. Who knows what kind of weapons they might carry. They’re rough.”
Dave Roberts, the Giants outfielder who played in L.A. from 2002 to 2004, said Dodger Stadium would not be the appropriate place to hit either of the milestone home runs.
“I don’t think it would be appreciated as much as it should be,” Roberts said. “Hopefully, he breaks it in front of the fans that are loyal to him.”
How would he define the proper level of appreciation?
“If they boo in the stands, it’s underappreciated,” Roberts said. “It’s one of the greatest records of all time, in all of sports. Every person in the stadium, in whatever stadium it is, should be on their feet, appreciating the moment.”
Bonds did not speak with reporters Sunday. The Giants open a seven-game homestand tonight, and Manager Bruce Bochy said he would play Bonds in five or six of those games.
“Any time Barry is not in the lineup right now, you realize there will be a lot of disappointed fans. That’s pretty obvious,” Bochy said. “It will be even more so now.... At the same time, I don’t want to wear him down.”
He might already be worn down, at least right now, batting .107 in his last 10 games.
With the Giants in last place in the National League West, Kline wondered whether their front office might privately hope Bonds keeps hitting like this, unintentionally prolonging the chase to the record.
“I think they want to drag this out, because of the way we’re playing,” Kline said.
“That’ll put more butts in the seats. The more he drags this on, the more the Giants’ office will like it. They can sell some more tickets.”
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
CHASING AARON
Hank Aaron surpassed Babe Ruth’s home run record of 714 in 1974, and finished with 755. Barry Bonds is closing in on Aaron’s record:
* Home runs: 753.
* Sunday: Did not play.
* Projected date to break record: Aug. 7 vs. Wash.
* Next for Giants: vs. Atlanta today (John Smoltz).
* Bonds vs. Smoltz: .297 (19 for 64), 8 home runs.
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