Bonds on A-Rod: 'I can't wait until he hits 660'
From one castaway to another, Barry Bonds is rooting for Alex Rodriguez. Even at the expense of his godfather Willie Mays.
Rodriguez, who hit his 655th career home run last week, remains entangled in a messy contract dispute with the New York Yankees, who are attempting to void milestone bonuses written into the $275-million deal he signed in 2007 due to his yearlong steroid suspension.
As a result of the ensuing legal battle - which could be decided by an arbitrator this summer - the Yankees reportedly have no plans to celebrate Rodriguez's 660th career home run in an effort to avoid paying out the first of four potential $6-million bonuses.
Baseball's all-time home run leader says that's a shame.
"Why the hate?'' Bonds told USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale in a lengthy interview published Sunday. "Why hate on something you're paying to see? I don't understand it. He's entertaining us. I wish life wasn't like that.''
(Courtesy: USA TODAY Sports)
Bonds, whose record-setting 756th home run was overshadowed by a federal indictment on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, said despite the controversy surrounding Rodriguez, the embattled Yankees star deserves to be celebrated.
Even as he closes in on Mays.
"My godfather means the world to me," he said. "I love him to a T, but when Alex hits No. 660 (and ties Mays), I'll be happy for him. Willie will be happy for him. Everybody should be happy for him. Any time anybody in the game does something that's a great accomplishment, the game of baseball should celebrate that. No matter what.
" ... He doesn't have to prove anything to anybody. He just has to go out and play. And that's what he's doing. He's playing. And I can't wait to until he hits 660. I know I'll celebrate.''
Bonds, 50, says he likes what he saw from Rodriguez after the pair spent a week together this winter, and admitted the three-time MVP has an outside shot of besting his all-time mark of 762 homers.
"I told him he better get to work,'' Bonds said. "I'm not saying it's not possible. I just don't know if he can do it or not. But he's capable."