MORNING BRIEFING

Bonds is out of sight, out of mind

It’s the anniversary of a historic moment in major league baseball, but the ballpark where it happened will be empty tonight because the San Francisco Giants have a day off before the Dodgers come calling.

The anniversary: One year ago, a 756th home run, one more than Hank Aaron’s total.

The hitter: Barry Bonds.

The festivities planned: None.

Actually, Bonds could show up Saturday at AT&T; Park, where in a pre-game ceremony the Giants will honor all their former outfielders as part of the ongoing 50-year celebration of the team in San Francisco.

Bonds has been invited, but he hasn’t said whether he intends to show up. Bonds’ last posting on his website is from February.

Trivia time

How much is an autographed, 8-by-10 color photo of Bonds going for on barrybonds.com?

Lean this way

Jeff Mathis of the Angels was hit by pitches twice the other night, so if he wants to learn to get out of the way better, maybe he should check out teammate Garret Anderson.

In 15 years in the majors, Anderson has been hit six times. Anderson may lean to the left or to the right politically, but in the batter’s box, it’s clear he doesn’t lean at all.

Craig Biggio is the modern-day leader in getting hit, 285 times, so Anderson is going to have to get busy.

Card game

Topps has put out two Brett Favre trading cards, according to the Associated Press. One is a Favre “player” card and has Vince Lombardi in the background. The other is a “retirement” card and shows Favre on a tractor, which is probably where the Packers would like to see him.

Deflationary tale

You know the Indianapolis Colts are getting a new stadium this year, Lucas Oil Stadium, and you may have wondered how the 24-year-old RCA Dome is going to go away.

In September, the 16 blowers that give the dome its air pressure will be switched off and the ceiling will deflate in 30 minutes.

In December, an implosion will reduce the stadium to rubble within 10 seconds, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Trivia answer

It’s listed at $250.

And finally

U.S. Olympic team swimmer Ryan Lochte told the Washington Post about the smog and haze in Beijing: “It’s a little smoggy here, but I’m not coughing up a lung or anything like that.”

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