Baker, Sosa, Bonds testy about doping questions; ‘Attitude’ talk irks Thomas
Dusty Baker went on the defensive Tuesday after taking criticism for being sensitive during questioning about baseball’s steroid controversy.
“I don’t like being grilled on something I’m not responsible about,” Baker said.
Baker was asked about the BALCO steroid scandal Monday because the trainer for Barry Bonds, who played for Baker as a Giant, said he gave steroids to several major-league players.
“I hate steroids,” Baker said. “Sure, I have my own ideas about guys around the league, the 5-7 percent [who tested positive]. That’s what creates the bad situation for the guys who aren’t, [guessing] who’s in the 5-7 percent. … It’s like McCarthyism. They’re looking to see who looks like a communist. Correct? I’ll probably get in trouble for that, too, but that’s how I equate it–‘Well, he lost weight,’ or ‘He gained weight.’ “
CUBS CAMP
SOSA SPEAKS: Sammy Sosa brushed aside questions about steroid use in baseball. “I really don’t want to make a comment about that because we’ve got a beautiful team here,” he said following his first Spring Training workout.
Asked if he understood why questions remain for Bonds, Sosa distanced himself.
“That’s something that Barry Bonds has to deal with himself,” said Sosa, who doesn’t look any different than he has in recent years. “I know myself, I know who I am and that’s it.”
SOX CAMP
THOMAS NOT PERTURBED: Frank Thomas arrived at White Sox training camp late Tuesday and basically wondered what all the fuss is about.
“I don’t know where all this stuff is coming from about me being disgruntled and upset,” the Sox slugger said. “I don’t understand it.”
Amid speculation that Thomas is upset over critical comments new manager Ozzie Guillen made about him, Thomas arrived a day early.
Thomas said he told his former teammate Guillen there wasn’t any problem between them.
“I know what to expect from Ozzie,” Thomas said. “There is already a different rapport with Ozzie and me than with Jerry Manuel because I didn’t know where Jerry Manuel was coming from at times. … It’s different now.”
BAG MAGGS? Magglio Ordonez’s unsettled situation–he could be traded by the July deadline–will be a seasonlong subject.
“When it’s time to talk about contracts it’s kind of different,” Ordonez said. “People get mad. I just want to play baseball and that’s it.”
He said he would like to remain in Chicago, but seems intent to explore his options. “There is a desire on his part, obviously in his statements, to want to stay,” GM Ken Williams said. “So we’ll see how it goes.”
AL CAMPS
HURT FEELINGS: Nomar Garciaparra, who was nearly traded by Boston, arrived Tuesday at the Red Sox’s camp in Ft. Myers, Fla. “I was definitely hurt by a lot of it,” Garciaparra said.
NL CAMPS
HE’S BACK: Jose Canseco plans to try out for the Dodgers, 21 1/42 years after his last stint in the majors.
ROCKY TERRITORY: Reliever Turk Wendell chimed in about Bonds: “I mean, obviously he did it. … [His trainer] admitted to giving steroids to baseball players. He just doesn’t want to say his name. You don’t have to. It’s clear just seeing his body.” Said Bonds: “I’m not going to comment on ignorance. Who’s he?”
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Edited by the Sports staff of RedEye.
