Will These Bashers Clash? : Giants: Bonds and Clark insist there is room for both superstars and say issue is being blown out of proportion.

Wearing a San Francisco Giant uniform for the first time, Barry Bonds stepped into the dugout at Scottsdale Stadium on Wednesday and said the outlook appeared cloudy.

“The weather or your future?” he was asked.

“My future is set, Jack,” he replied, a reference to the seven-year, $43.75-million contract he signed as a free agent with the Giants.

The contract secured the future for the former Pittsburgh Pirate left fielder, but some see his relationship with Will Clark, the Giants’ other superstar, as cloudy at best.

Both attempted to dispel that notion on the first day of full squad workouts, Clark doing so with a trace of heat.

“It’s been blown out of proportion,” he said. “I mean, even before either of us walked into the clubhouse, people were predicting we wouldn’t get along or wouldn’t be able to work together because we’re both type-A personalities.

“I’m tired of it already. I’ve had a good relationship with Barry, and that shouldn’t deteriorate if we go out and play baseball the way we can.”

Said Bonds: “I just want to win again. I’m used to a winning atmosphere, and I came here because I thought I would have a chance to win and that with players like Will Clark and Matt Williams those chances would be pretty good. Players like that enhance everyone around them.”

Bonds said the situation reminded him of his friendly competitions with Bobby Bonilla and Andy Van Slyke in Pittsburgh. He said he called Clark in January to assure him that he was not interested in stealing anyone’s turf, that the Giants will remain Clark’s team.

Perhaps, but Clark’s salary is millions less than Bonds’, fueling speculation of potential animosity. Clark, in the final year of a four-year, $15-million contract, says he will not discuss his contract situation, except to say he will honor his commitment.

His agent, Jeff Moorad, has talked to the Giants about a contract extension but says if nothing developed during the season “it won’t be a problem or issue because Will’s focus is not on the contract.”

Said Clark: “I’m not worried financially. If a player can’t live on what we’re making now, he should hang it up.”

Because Clark had problems with former Giants Jeffrey Leonard (who called Clark a racist) and Kevin Mitchell, there was speculation Clark will have problems with Bonds, and that his intense nature will clash with the often-moody Bonds, but Clark said he expected to work better with Bonds “than any player” with whom he has been teamed.

The watchdog is Manager Dusty Baker, who said he dealt with a “whole team of mega-egos” as a player and leader with the Dodgers and didn’t foresee problems between Clark and Bonds, the son of Baker’s hitting coach and lifelong friend, Bobby Bonds.

“I don’t have time to foresee problems,” Baker said. “That’s like preparing for death. How do you do that?

“I mean, my only concern is for their energy level.”

Baker faces another potential problem: Where will Clark, Williams and Bonds bat in the lineup? Baker has not decided, but Clark and Williams both have said they would like to have Bonds directly behind them.

“If it makes Will happy to have me hit fourth or if it makes Matt happy to have me hit fifth, let them fight over it,” Bonds said. “I’ve never had anyone behind me , so it doesn’t matter. I’ll be happy to hit anywhere. It’s Dusty’s decision, and to me the biggest key is Willie McGee, because the guy who hits leadoff triggers everything. He should be paid the most.”

No one anywhere is being paid more than Bonds, but both Bonds and Clark said they carry a commitment that goes beyond money.

Clark said he is determined to redeem “the worst year” of his career. He hit .300 with 16 homers and 73 runs batted in, playing only 144 games because of groin and leg injuries.

“I’m not relying on spring training to get ready, I came here ready,” he said, adding that the Giants stagnated over the last two years but that hopes and expectations have been revived by the changes in personnel and ownership.

“Roger Craig, Al Rosen and Mr. (Bob) Lurie were great people,” Clark said of the former manager, general manager and owner, “but if the same group had been back, there were things that would have had to change, screws that needed tightening, things Dusty is doing now. I’m excited about the change. I think we have a real chance to win.”

Bonds hopes so, because he, too, is determined to erase the memory of his .191 career batting average in the playoffs.

He says he is excited about his father being the batting coach, excited by the response he has received from new teammates, excited to be back in the Northern California area, excited to be playing for the team that both his father and godfather, Willie Mays, played for, and which is managed by a family friend who held Bonds in his arms on the day he was born.

If Bonds is most excited on pay days, the new Giant owners are banking that the contract sends a message to fans of renewed commitment. Peter Magowan, managing general partner, spoke to his team about that Wednesday, saying he was happy they still have an “SF” on their caps.

Whether Bonds and Clark continue to take their hats off to each other, only time will tell.