It’s a Walk in the Park for Bonds, Sheffield

April projections seldom prove reliable, but Barry Bonds and Gary Sheffield could change that.

There is no reason to believe they will be pitched to any way but circuitously throughout the 1997 season.

Bonds walked 12 times in the first eight games, putting him on pace for 243, which would break his National League record of 151, set last year.

Sheffield had only 19 official times at bat in his first eight games. He walked 14 times, which projects to 284.

“All this is making the game less fun,” the Florida Marlin right fielder said. “As long as we’re winning, it’s a little bit better. But it is hard to stay motivated.”

Of course, Sheffield has a six-year, $61-million contract that should help with motivation, but his manager, Jim Leyland, agreed that opponents aren’t even trying to hide their intent.

“This has been the most blatant, most obvious I’ve ever seen in 30-some years in baseball,” Leyland said. “They’re taking the bat out of his hand even when he’s leading off an inning. That’s unbelievable.

“I think a lot of it is psychological, teams trying to frustrate him, but Gary’s too strong for that. He has handled it as well as anyone could.”

One aspect of the Marlins’ winter spending spree was to buy some protection for Sheffield, but it hasn’t stopped the opposition from pitching to Bobby Bonilla instead.

“I have no problem with this scenario,” Bonilla said of the assignment. “The problem I have is people thinking every time Gary walks, he should come around and score.

“I mean, it’s not like they’re walking him and throwing me fastballs right down the middle.”

Bonds was being walked even when Matt Williams batted behind him. Now he has virtually no protection in the San Francisco Giants’ lineup.

“I just hadn’t expected this would happen so early,” Bonds said. “Most of the time this happens in the middle of the season or the end. It’s going to be a tough year.”

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The Houston Astros arguably have the toughest April schedule in the National League. It includes 13 games against the East champion Atlanta Braves and Central champion St. Louis Cardinals, along with five against the West champion San Diego Padres and runner-up Dodgers.

But after opening the season with a 5-1 home stand against Atlanta and St. Louis, the Astros have been thinking anything is possible, even with a former broadcaster, Larry Dierker, making his managerial debut.

“We’re starting to believe in ourselves, and that’s what you need,” Jeff Bagwell said. “It builds character, and we’re going to need that during the down periods.”

And it isn’t as if Dierker is some stranger in the dugout. He pitched for 14 seasons in the major leagues.

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The Cardinals are trying to dig out from a 0-6 start with seven players on the disabled list, which is a little ironic, since they have a strength and conditioning coach for the first time in club history.