Bonds backs off retirement talk

Barry Bonds is talking about retirement. It's just hard to tell what his plans are.

The San Francisco Giants star gave differing accounts this weekend, first saying this year would be his last -- no matter whether he breaks Hank Aaron's home run record.

Then Sunday night, he said he would play in 2007 if his surgically repaired knee is OK.

In a story posted on USA Today's Web site Sunday afternoon, Bonds said the game isn't fun anymore and he is tired of answering persistent questions about steroids.

"I'm tired of all of the crap going on," he was quoted. "I want to play this year out, hopefully win, and once the season is over, go home and be with my family. Maybe then everybody can just forget about me."

A few hours later, MLB.com reported Bonds, who needs 48 homers to surpass Aaron's total of 755, said his health will determine how long he plays.

"If my knee holds up, I'll keep on going," he said. "I'm playing psychological games with myself right now. I don't want to set myself up for disappointment if things don't work out this season. So I go back and forth. Back and forth every day. These are the things that are going through my mind. This is what I'm struggling with."

Bonds can be moody and sometimes changes his mind. In May 2004, he told reporters in New York that, "Half the stuff I say, I don't believe."

The All-Star left fielder will enter the season with 708 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron.

"Breaking these records aren't a big thing to me," Bonds told USA Today. "It's a great honor to pass Ruth, but it means more to baseball than it does to me. History is good for every sport, and I'm creating great interest for the game."

Bonds told MLB.com that his conversation with USA Today was just indicative of his state of mind at that particular moment.

Bonds turns 42 on July 24. He said he plans to report Tuesday to spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Giants said they would not comment on the newspaper report until they hear from their All-Star left fielder directly. His agent, Jeff Borris, wouldn't say whether Bonds has discussed retirement with him.

"I'd rather those conversations between Barry and myself remain private," Borris told The Associated Press.

Bonds has an $18 million salary in the final season of his $90 million, five-year contract and will be eligible for free agency after the World Series.

In Tucson, Ariz., another injury-plagued slugger can't wait to get going.

Jim Thome showed up early at spring training with the Chicago White Sox looking to get that elusive World Series ring.

"Being hurt last year and having those injuries, I think it has kind of put it all in perspective for me as to how much I really appreciate the game," Thome said.

A strained back and season-ending surgery on his elbow limited Thome to 59 games and seven homers last season, prompting Philadelphia to ship him to the defending World Series champions for outfielder Aaron Rowand and two prospects.

Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen expects Thome to stay healthy this season because he will be the designated hitter rather than an everyday first baseman.

Guillen also said he didn't object to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner telling him to "shut it up" after the manager criticized Yankees star Alex Rodriguez for waffling on his choice of teams in the World Baseball Classic.

"He's right. I took the first punch. I'll take 100 punches against me," Guillen said. "He's right to take a shot. He's got to protect his players."

Guillen said the matter was between him and Rodriguez and he would try to reach the New York third baseman by phone.

At Fort Myers, Fla., Red Sox slugger David Ortiz arrived in camp three days early saying he hopes to finish his career in Boston.

Ortiz, who finished second in AL MVP voting last season behind Rodriguez after hitting .300 with 47 homers and 148 RBIs, is nearing the end of his contract. The club has an option for 2007.

But Ortiz apparently isn't worried about working out his next deal.

"I'm not involved with it. I don't know what's going on. I'm just thinking about the season coming up right now," Ortiz said. "Hopefully, I stay here for the rest of my career. I like it here."

In Bradenton, Fla., Jason Bay, the 2004 NL Rookie of the Year, reported to the Pittsburgh Pirates' camp early and wondered whether he can keep topping his own numbers.

"You want to keep improving every year, and I've obviously set a very high bar for myself after two years," Bay said. "At some point, though, that's going to stop. You're not just going to keep getting better and better forever. That season I had last year, I look back on it and see the numbers, and I do realize how they stand out in most offensive categories."

Bay batted .306 last season with 32 homers, 44 doubles, 21 stolen bases in 22 attempts, 110 runs and 101 RBIs.

"The way I look at it is, if I can maintain that average, up or down a little either way, that would be a great career," he said.

At Phoenix, outfielder Milton Bradley reported to the Oakland Athletics' spring training camp three days early, which pleased his new manager and general manager.

"It will be helpful for the (pitching) staff to get to know him," A's manager Ken Macha said. "Once the full squad gets here, things get a little hectic."

The A's acquired Bradley in a trade with the Dodgers in December.

"He's happy to be here," GM Billy Beane said. "And he's quick to smile."

After the deal was done, the enigmatic Bradley invited Bay Area reporters to talk to him at any time. But he refused interviews on Sunday.

"I'm really not dealing with the media this spring," Bradley said.

At Mesa, Ariz., Wade Miller is throwing only on flat ground so far, but he estimates his shoulder could be healthy enough to put him in the Chicago Cubs' rotation by May or June if all goes well this spring.

"This is the best I've felt in a couple of years," he said. "Hopefully, I won't have any setbacks and I can keep right on going with my progress."

At Tucson, Ariz., pitcher Russ Ortiz is eager to bounce back from a disappointing first season with the Diamondbacks after going 5-11 with a 6.89 ERA last year.

"I feel great right now, ready to get going," Ortiz said. "I'm a lot more comfortable right now than last year -- with the organization, the clubhouse, everything. It's all more familiar."