NL Beat: Pujols says Bonds deserves respect for achievements
May 18, 2006, The Seattle Times
Albert Pujols defended Barry Bonds on Wednesday, saying he respects the accomplishments of the San Francisco Giants' slugger.
Pujols was in the St. Louis lineup after a nasty slip and fall and felt good enough to discuss the widespread belief that Bonds' pursuit of Babe Ruth's hallowed 714-homer total is tainted by alleged steroid use. Bonds is one shy of tying Ruth for second on the career list.
"I know he's probably made some mistakes in the past. But come on, give the guy a break," Pujols said. "Respect the numbers in the career he has put up."
Pujols feels like he's under suspicion, too, because people don't believe he's really 26.
"You know how many times I hear — and I'm sick and tired of people saying it — that I'm not 26?" Pujols said. "I know how old I am, and I know that I don't use any of those bad things people are talking about that I use."
Pujols, who leads the majors with 19 homers and 48 runs batted in, fouled a ball off his left shin Tuesday and was a lot more sore than usual Wednesday.
"I'm a little banged up," Pujols said. "But when I'm out there performing, I'm going to do my best and I'm going to forget about any pain that I'm going through."
Meanwhile, baseball is reviewing Bonds' at-bat Tuesday night against Houston's Russ Springer, who threw his first pitch behind Bonds and hit him on the fifth pitch.
Atlanta: Kyle Davies will need surgery for a torn groin muscle. The 22-year-old pitcher felt a pop in his groin Monday during his start against the Florida Marlins.
Chicago: RHP Kerry Wood will make his first start of the season today against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. Wood is coming back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery and will be making his first start since July 20. "It's not that he's going to walk out there and be the Kerry Wood you saw in '03 right now," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "I think he's close to that. We're going to have to watch him the first couple weeks, first month or so."
Florida: With SS Hanley Ramirez sidelined by a shoulder injury, the Marlins called up SS Robert Andino from Class AAA Albuquerque for Wednesday's game against the Braves.
Milwaukee: The Brewers put SS J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list, saying he will be out between two and six weeks. Hardy suffered a serious ankle sprain sliding into Phillies catcher Sal Fasano at home plate on Tuesday night. X-rays and an MRI were negative. The Brewers will give the shortstop duties to Bill Hall.
Washington: The Nationals' sale to Theodore Lerner and Stan Kasten won unanimous endorsements from baseball's ownership committee and executive council, and all owners were expected to approve it today. Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, said he expects the Nationals will be transferred between June 15 and the All-Star Game on July 11. ... Frank Robinson managed the team Wednesday night against the Cubs after receiving treatment for severe back spasms before the game.
