Bonds still could join Team USA

03/14/2006
FULLERTON, Calif. -- The story that won't go away began to heat up again at Team USA practice on Tuesday and this time the team's manager gave it some credence. With Johnny Damon's left shoulder ailing, Barry Bonds could be asked to join Team USA if it ascends to the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Saturday at San Diego's PETCO Park.
Bonds is on Team USA's 52-man provisional roster and has missed the first two rounds while he's rebuilding strength in his thrice surgically repaired right knee in the San Francisco Giants camp at Scottsdale, Ariz. And with a crucial second-round game against Mexico at Angel Stadium on Thursday, manager Buck Martinez said it wasn't out of the question that Team USA could ask Bonds to play if the U.S. moves on.
"At this point I think I would contact anyone," Martinez said in the wake of Monday night's 7-3 loss to Korea that has placed the U.S. in jeopardy of elimination. "If we have a need to add somebody to this roster then we would be open to anybody who is on that provisional roster."
Bonds said last week that he would not personally pursue joining the U.S. team, but he did leave the door open a crack when he said that he might reconsider that position if asked by USA Baseball officials.
On Tuesday in Scottsdale, where Bonds went 3-for-3 with a homer as the designated hitter in a 3-2 Giants win over the Texas Rangers, Bonds was asked again whether he'd consider joining the U.S. for the semifinals and possible finals next Monday.
"I can't answer that until I get the call," Bonds said.
Bonds played his first game as a DH last Thursday and his first in left field on Sunday. Martinez said that the late spring start for Bonds wouldn't hinder the lefty-slugger, who has 708 career homers, from being added to the team.
"Barry Bonds with a couple of games under his belt is pretty potent," Martinez said.
Damon said before Tuesday's workout that he won't throw for about a week. That would make him ineligible to play the outfield during the remainder of the tournament. Damon added that he could still help as a pinch-hitter or DH, although Martinez has been using either Chipper Jones or Alex Rodriguez lately in the DH slot with the other playing third base.
Any team in the Classic can add a player in between rounds if one on the 30-man roster has an injury or must depart on a bereavement leave.
"I really think I would (stay) on the roster," Damon said. "It would be a lot tougher to pull somebody off their Spring Training team and have them come out for a couple of days. Buck knows he can use me in many different ways, whether I have to run, pinch-hit or DH."
Martinez said the decision to add Bonds would be up to the manager, the coaching staff and Bob Watson, USA Baseball's general manager and a Major League Baseball executive. He also said other players on the provisional roster -- Eric Chavez, David Wright, Morgan Ensberg and Bill Hall -- would be considered.
Bonds is the only other eligible outfielder. Luis Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Lance Berkman have already opted out for injuries or personal reasons.
"He's still a guy we can use," Martinez said about Damon. "I don't think we've gotten to the point of making a decision. Yet. We've been considering some things. We've got a couple of more days before that decision has to be made. We also need a big win and have to have some help."
Bonds has been surrounded by a buzz during the last week that has involved two books that have restated allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs for a five-year period from 1998 to 2002, including the 2001 season when he hit 73 homers to break Mark McGwire's three-year-old record.
Commissioner Bud Selig said last week that he would read any appropriate material about the matter before commenting on the accusations. Bonds is six homers behind Babe Ruth's 714 and 47 in arrears of Hank Aaron's MLB all-time leading 755.
Asked if Selig would have any input regarding Bonds being placed on the roster, Martinez said with a laugh: "No. He's on our provisional roster. I think he's our property."
Martinez also said that adding Bonds to the team wouldn't be a distraction.
"I don't think so given the way he went over and talked to the players on Friday in Scottsdale," Martinez said, citing Bonds' visit before the U.S. beat South Africa, 17-0, to qualify for the second round. "He just wanted to lend support to the team, let them know that he was behind them and kind of alleviate any misconceptions. He went down into the dugout and shook hands."

Source: http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/