Bonds unfazed by BALCO investigation, talks of retirement

NEW YORK (AP) — Barry Bonds was adamant: Baseball's steroids scandal has not affected him one bit.

”Does it look like it?” the San Francisco star asked. ”It doesn't faze me at all.”

Bonds did not play Tuesday night because of a sinus infection. He was sent from Shea Stadium back to the hotel during the Giants' 6-2 loss to the New York Mets.

But before the game, the slugger leading the majors with 10 homers and a .463 batting average brushed aside questions about the drug-distribution case in which his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, has been indicted.

”There isn't anybody investigating me, as far as I know,” Bonds said. ”I ain't being investigated.”

At one point, Bonds even lifted his T-shirt to reveal his stomach.

”Do I look like I got ripped abs?” he said.

Bonds said he wasn't worried about an asterisk tarnishing his accomplishments — his six MVP awards and 668 career home runs.

”My records aren't going anywhere,” he said, ”I'll be fine, trust me.”

Anderson is one of four men charged in an alleged ring involving the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. All four have pleaded innocent and no athlete has been charged.

Bonds repeatedly has denied using illegal steroids. There is one supplement he does take.

Pointing to the top of his locker, he said, ”I have creatine right up here.”

Out of the starting lineup, Bonds spent 45 minutes at his locker talking about possibly retiring after the 2005 season, his future and George Steinbrenner.

Sniffling to suppress his cold, he laughed at times and bristled at others, particularly when pressed about BALCO and Anderson.

”He'll always be a friend of mine. Always. We grew up together,” Bonds said.

More than halfway through the session, Bonds cackled and added this caveat: ”Half the stuff I say, I don't believe.”

Bonds entered the three-game series at Shea Stadium only 88 homers from breaking Hank Aaron's record of 755. But he claimed he wanted to leave the game after next season, regardless where he stands on the homer list.

”I want to leave. I want to do something else,” he said.

Bonds declined to say exactly what else he'd like to do. But as he approaches 40 this July, he said he'd like to spend more time watching his two daughters and one son grow up.

At his current pace, Bonds might break Aaron's mark before next season is over. But if he's close, Bonds said he likely would not be tempted to return.

”Probably not,” he said. ”Don't need to.”

Bonds is signed through the 2006 season. But if he does not reach 500 plate appearances next season, the Giants can void the final year of his contract — he's set to make $18 million in 2006.

If Bonds reaches 1,500 plate appearances combined from 2003 to 2005, including 400 or more in 2005, the Giants lose their right to void the deal. Despite that, Bonds would not gain the right to walk away from his contract.

”I don't try to predict the future,” he said.

Bonds said he'd be amenable to becoming a designated hitter someday, meaning a shift to the American League.

”DH is fine for me,” he said, adding he'd want to do it for a California team.

So does he see any chance of joining Steinbrenner's collection of stars at Yankee Stadium?

”If George wanted me, he would've paid for me a long, long time ago,” he said. ”I'm a bad influence for George, I guess.”

After he's done playing, Bonds said he wants to stay involved in baseball, on his own terms.

”I'll probably go help college kids,” he said. ”I don't want to coach, I just want to help.”

For now, though, Bonds has plenty of games left. And while many people track his home runs, others are wondering whether he could become the first big leaguer to hit .400 since Ted Williams in 1941.

”I've never seen it done. It's too difficult,” he said. ”It could possibly be done, but it'd take a lot.”

Bonds said a lot has changed on and off the field since Williams achieved the feat. Along with more hectic travel schedules, there are different strategies — opponents using more pitchers, plus intentional walks.

Bonds has drawn 44 walks, including 22 intentional passes, in the Giants' 27 games. He said the game still was fun despite teams taking the bat out of his hands.

”Pick your poison,” he said. ”You can walk me or see it go.”