Most Difficult for Bonds Will Be 661

First the news, then the views....

News: Barry Bonds becomes the fourth member of the 600-home run club, joining Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and his godfather, Willie Mays (660).

Views: Bonds, the greatest player of his generation, downplayed the pursuit of 600, saying 500 was the big hurdle. What’s stunning about Bonds’ latest accomplishment is that he reached 600 the season after hitting 500, thrilling San Francisco Giant fans and prompting opposing managers to scrap conventional wisdom whenever he bats.

Mays is next on Bonds’ list, and there’s no downplaying the significance of that public family affair.

“If there’s a home run that will really be significant to him, and I really believe this, [it will be] if he ever gets to the point where he’s going to hit 661,” Bobby Bonds said. “Because of his godfather; because he puts Willie on such a high plateau. That’s the ultimate. That’s going to be the most difficult one for him to hit.”

News: Former Dodger Chan Ho Park is living a nightmare in the first season of a five-year, $65-million contract with the Texas Rangers, going 4-6 with a 7.14 earned-run average before returning to the disabled list.

The right-hander, who missed only one start with the Dodgers, because of flu, was sidelined six weeks in the first half after injuring a hamstring. Now, Park is out again, experiencing blister problems on the middle finger of his pitching hand.

Views: The Dodgers saw this coming, prompting General Manager Dan Evans to let the phone ring whenever agent Scott Boras’ number appeared on his Caller ID.

The Dodgers questioned Park’s heart and focus throughout his six-plus seasons at Chavez Ravine, and were eager to show him the door after he failed to retire a batter and gave up four runs in a bizarre relief appearance last September against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Manager Jim Tracy and pitching coach Jim Colborn were disturbed by Park’s comments in a meeting afterward to discuss the meltdown, ending any realistic hope of his returning to the club.

Scouts said Park has become too reliant on his curveball, and his fastball, once in the 96-mph range, has consistently dropped below 90.

“Very disappointed,” Park said, “but what can you do?”

Evans shouldn’t have repeatedly said he had “strong interest” in re-signing Park, especially considering others in the organization conceded early in the process they didn’t want him back, but he made the right decision.

Boras, though, has a good memory, and represents the club’s young nucleus of third baseman Adrian Beltre, starter Odalis Perez and closer Eric Gagne. Beltre and Perez are eligible for arbitration after the season, so Evans probably will take Boras’ calls this time.

News: Arizona Diamondback starter Randy Johnson reverts to form in consecutive complete-game victories, giving up one run to the Montreal Expos and tossing a two-hit shutout against the New York Mets.

The World Series co-MVP had 15 strikeouts in a 149-pitch effort against Montreal. He had 11 strikeouts against the Mets at Shea Stadium, and the Diamondbacks twice clocked his fastball at 99 mph, and 98 seven times.

Against the Florida Marlins on Saturday, he struck out 14 in eight innings, passing Tom Seaver for fifth place in all-time strikeouts. He is only 49 behind Bert Blyleven for the fourth spot.

Views: The intimidating left-hander put himself back in contention to win his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award, and fifth overall, improving to 17-4 with a 2.61 ERA and 240 strikeouts. Moreover, the buzz about Johnson being injured or tired hasn’t been as loud since his impressive performances.

“Hopefully, that’s come to an end,” Johnson said of the speculation.

With Johnson seemingly back on track, the Dodgers and Giants face another hurdle in trying to overtake the defending National League West champions. Right-hander Curt Schilling, who shared the Series MVP award with Johnson, is in top form and in good position to win his first Cy Young.

The Dodgers and Giants could soon be knocked out in the West by the Diamondbacks’ formidable righty-lefty combination, increasing the stakes in their tight NL wild-card race.

News: The Angels remain within striking distance of the first-place Seattle Mariners in the American League West, and atop the AL wild-card standings.

Views: How about some credit for Manager Mike Scioscia?

He stayed positive during the Angels’ awful April (11-13), maintaining a cool approach based on confidence in his veteran players and the club’s off-season moves to bolster the pitching staff. Holding to form, the thick-skinned Scioscia answered a volley of daily questions about why the Angels were so bad, believing the team had too much talent to stay stuck in reverse for long.

“You can’t say enough about the job he’s done this year,” Oakland Athletic General Manager Billy Beane said. “For my money, he’s one of the best managers in the game, and that’s not just based on this year.

“There have been times they’ve come up here [to Oakland] when they were out of the race, but they always played hard. When you see that, it’s always a reflection of the manager. Just a great job.”

News: Tampa Bay Devil Ray General Manager Chuck LaMar claims he has been unfairly criticized for demanding too much in trades for All-Star outfielder Randy Winn and closer Esteban Yan.

“The Tampa Bay Devil Rays did everything they possibly could to make the team better,” LaMar said. “In the end, that was holding on to the players we had.

“The reports that we sought an exorbitant amount of players or cash to make deals are incorrect.”

Views: Two NL general managers said LaMar did make outrageous demands for Winn, requesting packages of major leaguers and top prospects. LaMar has made many questionable moves in his tenure at the Devil Rays’ helm, and it’s not surprising the 1998 expansion club is a mess.