san francisCo – Barry Bonds so badly wanted to play one final season.
On the 10th anniversary of breaking baseball's all-time home run mark, Bonds said on Monday night he believes he would have reached 800 homers or come very close. He said it "stung" to walk away from a 22-year career with little notice immediately after a record-setting 2007 season with the San Francisco Giants, when he topped Hank Aaron's mark.
"It should have only been nine [years ago]. I should have played one more year, I should have had the chance to," Bonds said, standing behind the batting cage at AT&T Park.
"It's all right, though. Those 22 were still good. I wish I could have gotten to retire better, or just walk away better, whatever it was, however you want to call it."
Bonds, 53, said there were never discussions about him playing for the Giants in 2008. He also said he didn't push for it because, "I was just told I'm not coming back and that was it."
Bonds now works for the Giants. He was at Park on Monday night, the same place he hit No. 756 to pass Aaron. Bonds finished with 762 home runs, and the seven-time NL MVP ended his career under the cloud of steroids allegations.
Associated Press
