AY
Sidelined San Francisco Giants star Barry Bonds is in the news again, not over performance-enhancing drugs or his pursuit of Hank Aaron’s home run record, but over his response to a book by former Chicago White Sox player Ron Kittle, who quotes the San Francisco star as saying “I don’t sign for white people” before a game at Wrigley Field 12 years ago:

“Who is Kittle? How long did he play? He played in our league?” Bonds said, lying on a clubhouse couch before Thursday’s game against the Kansas City Royals. “Ha! Do you guys believe that? … Do you guys know my life history a little bit? … One, you insult my children, who are half-white.

“I was married to a woman who was white, so let’s get real. I don’t even know the guy. Tell him he’s an … idiot. Somebody said he wanted a piece of me. Tell him I’m at 24 Willie Mays Plaza and he can come get me anytime he wants to — with pleasure. Don’t insult my family.”

While Bonds never explains whether he actually made the statement or not, it’s interesting how he mentions his former wife and children. How many times have we seen interracial relationships and families used as a defense against allegations of racism?