Barry Bonds News

Booooom! The earth beneath him seems to tremor with each step.

All around him, hearts start to race. These are the prey, eyeballing their great predator as he moves ever closer.

Soon, he is face-to-face with his enemy, his physical stature dwarfing those who will try to corral him. Those thighs! Those arms! That chest!!

He is, believe it or not, just a man. But forgive pitchers if they view Barry Bonds as something much more monstrous. Bonds has spent the past 18 seasons devouring them, and he doesn't show any sign of slowing down.

Bonds began his 19th campaign Monday when the Giants opened the regular season against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Bonds hit a three-run homer on Opening Day in a 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros (that was No. 659). Soon thereafter, he will rip apart the top of baseball's all-time home run chart.

Bonds' third home run will be his 661st, surpassing his godfather, Willie Mays, for third on the list. The three men atop the list - Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Mays (660) all have resided there, in one spot or another, since 1969.

Now, as Bonds prepares for another milestone, we hear from some of his victims and their battery mates.

Pitchers and catchers all swear they'll never forget their confrontations with No. 25. No wonder. Staring down the master of power hitters from 60 feet, 6 inches_or in some cases, even closer - leaves a rather large imprint.

Jarrod Washburn, Anaheim Angels, an 18-game winner in 2002, the season Anaheim beat the Giants in the World Series: "You're aware of Barry Bonds the day after your start when you're preparing for the Giants. Any time there is a presence like that in the lineup, you have to be aware of him. One of the greatest hitters of all time, he's a guy who isn't easily gotten off of your mind."