Bonds Rooting Hard For A-Rod To Reach 660, Doesn't Understand The 'Hate'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- After missing all of last season because of a drug-related suspension, Alex Rodriguez is off to a great start for the Yankees.
He's saying all the right things, getting cheered and, most importantly, hitting. Through the first six games of the season, the third baseman-turned-designated hitter is 6-for-20 (.300) with two doubles, a homer and six RBIs.
The 14-time All-Star, currently fifth on the home-run list with 655, needs just five bombs to tie Willie Mays for fourth all time.
Barry Bonds, baseball's home-run king, is rooting hard for Rodriguez to get there.
"My godfather means the world to me," Bonds told USA TODAY Sports. "I love him to a T. But when Alex hits No. 660, I'll be happy for him. Willie will be happy for him. Everybody should be happy for him. Any time anybody in the game does something that's a great accomplishment, the game of baseball should celebrate that.
"No matter what. Baseball is benefiting from that person's hard work, so baseball should at least celebrate."
The Yankees likely don't share Bonds' sentiments.
It was reported in January that the organization might not declare A-Rod's 660th home run a milestone. Per his contract, the slugger is owed a $6 million bonus for tying Mays.
"Why the hate?'' Bonds told USA TODAY Sports. "Why hate on something you're paying to see? I don't understand it. He's entertaining us. I wish life wasn't like that."
Rodriguez was tutored by Bonds at the Future Prospects Baseball facility in San Rafael, Calif., prior to the season.
"This guy is not running for president of the United States,'' Bonds told the newspaper. "He's not running for commissioner. We're not running for political office. We're just ballplayers. We're not God. We're imperfect people. We're human beings."