SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Barry Bonds has a
message for Giants manager Felipe Alou: He doesn't want to bat second in San Francisco's lineup.
Bonds made the remark after hearing reports that Alou told
Giants fans in San Francisco recently that he was thinking about
using the seven-time MVP in the No. 2 hole to get him more at-bats.
"There were many times last year that I had to wait until the eighth inning to get him that fourth at-bat and get him out of the game," Alou told the San Jose Mercury News.
"This is something that is not in cement," Alou clarified to the newspaper. "But I would like to do it. Of course, I have to run it by Barry. ... The guy's been batting fourth for three years. I would imagine that's probably what he'd want to do."
Bonds was sidelined for most of the 2005 season with a knee
injury and Alou anticipates having to pull him for a defensive
replacement late in games.
The outfielder has typically batted third or fourth.
"I am going to speak with Felipe, because at this point in my
career it doesn't work for me to be the second bat," Bonds told the
Dominican newspaper, El Caribe, for its Sunday editions.
Bonds, 41, said his knee feels good and he continues
rehabilitation.
"I feel positive about next season to be able to contribute to
my team's cause," he said.
Bonds has 708 career homers, third on the all-time list behind
Babe Ruth (714) and Hank Aaron (755).
The outfielder was in the Dominican Republic to play in the Juan
Marichal Golf Classic, whose proceeds go to the needy in the
Caribbean nation. The event finished Sunday.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.