Bonds won't return with Giants for '08, team confirms
ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 21, 2007, 7:32 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants won't be bringing back Barry Bonds for 2008, the team confirmed with ESPN's Pedro Gomez on Friday.
The slugger first reported he won't be returning on his Web site. The Giants planned an
8 p.m. ET news conference Friday to announce the decision.
"Although I am disappointed, I've always said baseball is a business -- and I respect their decision," Bonds said on the site. "However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to you, my fans, and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago."
Bonds, 43, said on the site that he was told Thursday by owner Peter McGowan the team would not be re-signing him despite his performance having "far exceeded any expectations the Giants had."
Bonds' career as a Giant ends after 15 seasons, the last during which he surpassed Hank Aaron for the all-time home run record. The 22-year veteran sat at 762 entering the Giants' Friday night game against the visiting Reds.
"I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you, but there is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career," Bonds said. "My quest for a World Series ring continues."
Bonds, who received a $15.8 million, one-year contract this season, has been out since Saturday with a sprained big right toe, though he was expected to play in the four-game series with Cincinnati, which began Thursday.
The Giants then host the Padres for a three-game set before closing 2008 on the road with three games against the Dodgers
ESPN.com news services
Updated: September 21, 2007, 7:32 PM ET
The San Francisco Giants won't be bringing back Barry Bonds for 2008, the team confirmed with ESPN's Pedro Gomez on Friday.
The slugger first reported he won't be returning on his Web site. The Giants planned an
8 p.m. ET news conference Friday to announce the decision.
"Although I am disappointed, I've always said baseball is a business -- and I respect their decision," Bonds said on the site. "However, I am saddened and upset that I was not given an earlier opportunity to properly say goodbye to you, my fans, and celebrate with the city throughout the season as I truly believe this was not a last minute decision by the Giants, but one that was made some time ago."
Bonds, 43, said on the site that he was told Thursday by owner Peter McGowan the team would not be re-signing him despite his performance having "far exceeded any expectations the Giants had."
Bonds' career as a Giant ends after 15 seasons, the last during which he surpassed Hank Aaron for the all-time home run record. The 22-year veteran sat at 762 entering the Giants' Friday night game against the visiting Reds.
"I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you, but there is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career," Bonds said. "My quest for a World Series ring continues."
Bonds, who received a $15.8 million, one-year contract this season, has been out since Saturday with a sprained big right toe, though he was expected to play in the four-game series with Cincinnati, which began Thursday.
The Giants then host the Padres for a three-game set before closing 2008 on the road with three games against the Dodgers
