April 13--Baseball home run king Barry Bonds wants everyone to celebrate when New York Yankees standout Alex Rodriguez passes Willie Mays for fourth on the all-time home runs list.
Bonds, however, knows New York won't throw a ticker-tape parade for Rodriguez once he surpasses Mays' feat of 660 career homers. In an interview with USA Today, Bonds seems baffled as to why no one on the Yankees or in baseball is making a big deal out of Rodriguez's march through the record book.
"Any time anybody in the game does something that's a great accomplishment, the game of baseball should celebrate that," said Bonds, who is Mays' godson. "No matter what. Baseball is benefiting from that person's hard work, so baseball should at least celebrate.
"Why the hate? 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."
The Yankees ignited the debate over the milestone's significance when they said they wouldn't pay Rodriguez a $6-million bonus for tying Mays' mark -- an incentive that was written into his original 2007 contract.
The team believes that Rodriguez's home-run totals are tainted, and refuses to recognize that he is on the cusp of achieving a milestone. No on-field celebrations are planned, and the Yankees haven't mentioned the upcoming mark in game notes given to reporters.
Rodriguez was suspended all of last season after an arbitrator ruled there was overwhelming evidence the Yankees designated hitter used performance-enhancing drugs. In March, Rodriguez wrote a letter of apology to fans, saying he was sorry for the "mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season." He also admitted in 2009 that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-03.
Bonds, who has steadfastly denied using steroids during his career, said he'll be happy for Rodriguez when he surpasses Mays.
"When Alex hits No. 660, I'll be happy for him. Willie will be happy for him. Everybody should be happy for him," Bonds said. "And I can't wait to until he hits 660. I know I'll celebrate."
