Bad Karma: Bonds Beaned

In an odd twist of fate, Barry Bonds had an incident during batting practice Wednesday night.

He got decked by a freak foul ball.

MILWAUKEE -- The 41-year-old outfielder was shaken up during batting practice when he was hit by a foul ball while standing behind the batting cage. The ball, hit by second baseman Kevin Frandsen, came back into the screen, hitting the bill of Bonds' cap and then his forehead.

...Bonds dropped to one knee after being hit, then laid down as a trainer came to his assistance. After about 5 minutes, he was led to the clubhouse but returned to batting practice after being examined. A club spokesman said Bonds reported he was feeling fine after the game.

Of course, it's good Bonds wasn't seriously injured.

I'm sure fans were glad Bonds was able to play.

They had some messages for him.

The crowd of 17,358 peppered Bonds with boos in each at-bat and derisive chants throughout the game in Hank Aaron's old neighborhood.

I wouldn't say "peppered."

"Blasted" might be more fitting. According to Brewers radio announcer Jim Powell, it was necessary to turn down the crowd microphone. Let's say that some of the chants were not "family-friendly."

The crowd was armed with anti-Bonds signs and apparel as well.
According to manager Felipe Alou, Bonds won't be starting on Thursday afternoon.

It appears that he won't get the chance to pass Babe Ruth's home run total in Milwaukee. That blemish on Major League Baseball will most likely happen somewhere else, possibly Philadelphia.
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One man has made it his mission to keep Bonds from getting the home run record. He has a website devoted to his "WALK BONDS EVERY TIME" campaign.

MILWAUKEE -- They came in their loud yellow T-shirts, prepared to have their section behind first base at Miller Park show their disdain for San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds.

Bob Chiarito, 31, a Chicago business conference director who bought $80 tickets and shelled out nearly $900 to set up an anti-Bonds web site instead was stopped at the turnstiles. The Brewers' security staff was alerted and refused to allow Chirarito and his three friends from distributing the T-shirts inside the park.

Chiarito, after protesting the decision, later was permitted to randomly give away the shirts in the parking lot. The shirts read: "Walk Bonds Every Time" on the front and "For the integrity of the game" on the back.

Brewer pitcher Dave Bush didn't have to intentionally walk Bonds. Some great pitching kept Bonds at 0-4 for the night.