Report: Bonds tested positive
Barry Bonds said he did not get amphetamines from teammate Mark Sweeney, but did not deny a report yesterday saying he tested positive for the drugs last season.
According to a story in the New York Daily News, the San Francisco slugger failed an amphetamines test in 2006. The newspaper reported that when first informed of the positive result, Bonds attributed it to a substance he had taken from Sweeney's locker.
"He is both my teammate and my friend," Bonds said in a statement. "He did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter, contrary to recent reports.
"I want to express my deepest apologies especially to Mark and his family as well as my other teammates, the San Francisco Giants organization, and the fans," he said.
That's all the Giants star, shadowed by steroids allegations and only 22 home runs from breaking Hank Aaron's career home run record, said about the alleged positive drug test. Bonds has steadfastly denied using performance-enhancing drugs.
"Obviously, we're pleased that Barry has straightened this out," said Barry Axelrod, agent for Holliston native Sweeney.
Bonds's reported positive test could be another snag in contract negotiations with the Giants. The sides reached a preliminary agreement on a $16 million, one-year contract Dec. 7, but the seven-time NL MVP still hasn't signed the deal or taken the mandatory physical that is part of the process.
The sides have been working to finalize complicated language in the contract that concerns the left fielder's compliance with team rules, as well as what would happen if he were to be indicted or have other legal troubles.
"Last night was the first time we heard of this recent accusation against Barry Bonds," the Giants said in the statement. "Under Major League Baseball's collective bargaining agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association, clubs are not notified after a player receives a first positive test for amphetamines."
Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations, refused comment, according to spokesman Rich Levin.
"I don't comment on the drug program, and I've never heard Barry Bonds blame anybody for anything," Gene Orza, the union's chief operating officer, said in an e-mail to the Associated Press.
Bonds did not appeal the positive test, according to the Daily News, which said Sweeney learned of Bonds's test from Orza. The newspaper reported Orza told Sweeney he should remove any troublesome substances from his locker and should not share said substances. Sweeney then said there was nothing of concern in his locker.
Before Bonds's statement, Axelrod told the AP that his client received a call informing him that his name had come up in regard to the testing.
"He's kind of like your perfect employee," general manager Brian Cashman said after welcoming Pettitte back to Yankee Stadium. Clemens pitched for the Yankees alongside Pettitte from 1999-2003, helping them win two World Series titles and four American League pennants. The pair spent the last three seasons with their hometown Houston Astros.
"If Roger is interested in coming to New York, I'd love to talk to him," Cashman said. "He came in here and not only delivered a huge performance on the field but had a major impact within the clubhouse."
New York hasn't reached the World Series since Clemens left. The Yankees traded Randy Johnson back to the Arizona Diamondbacks this week .
Clemens, 44, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, is considering whether to return to the Astros, retire, or rejoin the Yankees or Red Sox.
Clemens's agent, Randy Hendricks, says that if the Rocket pitches, he probably wouldn't start his season until May or June.
Pettitte has played golf with Clemens in recent weeks. He wouldn't say exactly what his buddy told him, but he dropped a few hints.
"After speaking with him, it sounds like that he probably wants to try to pitch. It's amazing to me that he still wants to pitch, but he does," Pettitte said, laughing. "He's like he's 20. So he's just got an unbelievable amount of energy."
