Barry

Bonds

Pretty stunning. Needing to be included on 12 to make the Hall of Fame, Kent was named on 14 of the 16 ballots. Carlos Delgado, who was one-and-done on the BBWAA ballot, received nine votes, and both Don Mattingly and Dale Murphy were chosen by six Committee members. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield and Fernando Valenzuela were listed on fewer than five ballots and thus won’t be eligible to make the 2028 ballot when this committee for post-1980 players is up again. Many suspected that Mattingly was the favorite today, especially given the makeup of the committee as none of the seven players included played beyond the mid-90s. Kent definitely had a better case by the numbers, hitting .290/.356/.500 over 17 big-league seasons. His 377 homers are the most ever from someone whose primary position was second base.

As always, the conversation around this year’s class will be dominated by discussions of Bonds and Clemens, who are both seemingly being kept out due to their past involvement with steroids. Perhaps this year will be different. Any player who gets 75 percent of the vote from a committee of writers, historians, and baseball executives will be selected into the Hall of Fame.

''I’m older than all of these guys,’' Bonds said. ''I’m playing more than any of these guys.’' Trainer Stan Conte said Bonds’ legs were ''sore and tired.’' The Giants can’t afford to give him many days off since they don’t field much of an offense without him. And Bonds’ ridiculous .700 on-base percentage means he’s almost always on the diamond, whether it’s the basepaths or left field.

He’s one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. A number of these players had very good careers, but there’s not a no-doubter in the bunch, which should make for an interesting year in terms of voting. Curt Schilling (who received 70 percent of the vote last year) would appear in strong position to make it in his ninth year on the ballot. Roger Clemens (61.0 percent), Barry Bonds (60.7 percent) and Omar Vizquel (52.6 percent) were the only others to receive votes on at least 50 percent of ballots last year. Players must be on 75 percent of ballots to earn their place in Cooperstown.

The Giants have Bonds under contract for the next two seasons, with a mutual option for 2006, and the man will turn 39 later this month, so there’s a long way to go before that ever happens. Bonds wants to play as long as his body will let him, but points out his longevity will take a hit as long as he is required to be on the field every day in San Francisco. ''It’s really hard,’' he said. ''Some days, I can’t do it.’'

Javy Lopez, Todd Helton, Marcus Giles, Scott Rolen and Edgar Renteria will also be in the starting lineup. The starting DH -- Preston Wilson? -- will be chosen later. Jason Schmidt is the favorite to start for the National League squad. The most notable absence from the team is Sammy Sosa, but the biggest mistake is Mike Williams respresenting the Pirates over Brian Giles. He has a 6.29 ERA!!! If this is the time the game is supposed to count, why not at least pick Scott Sauerbeck? The lefty reliever might not be an All-Star, but neither is Williams and Sauerbeck might actually be of some use during the game. The other lousy selection is Aaron Boone. We would have taken Scott Williamson, made Mark Loretta the San Diego pick instead of Rondell White and added Giles or Sosa to the team.

Bonds hit .414 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI, and had a 1.000 slugging percentage in August. One of his top competitors for the honor was teammate J.T. Snow, who hit a shocking .452-5-16.

Bonds said he first felt pain Oct. 4, the day after the season ended, and he didn’t want the injury to affect his offseason training. The a 20-minute arthritis cleanup procedure was performed by Dr. Art Ting.

''He’s better, but he’s not ready to play,’' trainer Stan Conte said. ''If he plays he might reaggravate it. The injury is not believed to be serious.