Barry Bonds eager to move on following conviction

Controversial home run king Barry Bonds isn’t best known for his media savvy, but he had a lot to say while attending a San Francisco Giants game on Monday.

The former slugger, who was convicted of obstruction of justice in April 2011, told reporters that he has talked to the Giants about working for the club. He said he recently met with Giants President and CEO Larry Baer regarding a potential position with the franchise.

He has a personal-services contract with the team that could go into effect once his legal troubles are over.

Bonds, 47, is in the process of appealing his conviction and said he’s eager to move on with his life, which he hopes will include a future in baseball. However, he admits it’s been tough dealing with accusations regarding his alleged steroid use.

“I gave my life and soul to that game. That’s what’s heartbreaking. That’s the hard part of it,” Bonds said. “My [reputation] was kind of iffy anyway. I created that guy out there for entertainment only. Whether you hated me or liked me, you were there. And I only wanted you there. I just wanted you to see the show. That was it.

“All I ever wanted was for people to have a good time and enjoy it. It was fun to come out and people would boo or yay or whatever. They all showed up to see whatever would happen next, and it motivated me to play hard.”

Bonds didn’t express regrets over his connections to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, a company that provided athletes with performance-enhancing drugs.

“What happened happened,” he said Bonds regarding his connection to BALCO. “It’s there. It is what it is. I live with it. I’m a convicted felon for obstruction of justice, and that’s who I am. I live with it.”

As for his Hall of Fame chances, Bonds says he hasn’t given it much thought:

“That’s up to the writers to worry about that stuff. I’ll be at home having a good time with my wife and my kids. That’ll take care of itself,” he said. “I don’t try to predict the future or analyze how other people are thinking or how it’s going to turn out. I face my opponents as they come. It would be very sad if it didn’t happen. That’s why I don’t need to comment on it. There’s really no need.”

Bonds hit a record 762 home runs during his 22-year major league career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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