Bonds’ Arrival Will Be Eventful

Few spring training arrivals compare to the day Barry Bonds shows up at Scottsdale Stadium.

It’s when the San Francisco Giant superstar holds his annual state-of-Barry address -- and more often than not, it’s the most he says to reporters all season.

When he arrives today in Scottsdale, Ariz., it’s sure to be quite an event. More than 100 media members are expected to attend, and they’ll be looking for answers from the slugger that aren’t sealed.

Bonds will be peppered with questions about the steroid controversy that constantly surrounds him.

Will it affect the legacy he leaves? Will his records be tainted? Does he care at all what fans think of him?

He might not answer any of them, or could choose to be candid.

This will be the first time the 40-year-old Bonds has spoken publicly since his grand jury testimony was leaked to the San Francisco Chronicle and reported in December. Bonds testified in December 2003 that he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by a trainer who was indicted in a steroid-distribution ring, but said he didn’t know they were steroids.

“Ever since I’ve been here, no matter what happens off the field or what he’s dealing with, once he gets on the field, he’s always focused and able to be the best player in the game,” Giant pitcher Kirk Rueter said. “That just shows you how he focuses and how much he concentrates once he’s on the field.”

But Bonds isn’t expected to do a lot on the field until at least the middle of March.

He has had arthroscopic surgery on both knees since last season ended, including an operation on his right knee Feb. 1 that will limit him for much of the spring. Bonds will be rehabilitating the knee under the direction of team trainer Stan Conte.

“What I have heard so far is early in the camp he’s not going to be doing much,” Manager Felipe Alou said.

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Former Dodger Adrian Beltre knows there will be a period of adjustment this season. New team. New manager. New league.

But he’s ready for it.

“I’m not nervous at all,” the new Seattle Mariner starting third baseman said after reporting for spring training. “I’m just looking forward to getting to know everybody.”

Beltre took his physical and then joined his new teammates for a round of hitting, something he excels at and the main reason the Mariners signed him to a $64-million, five-year contract.

What concerns Beltre most about the transition is learning to hit against AL pitchers.

“It’s not going to be easy,” he admitted. “It’s going to take time to adjust to it. I hope my new teammates are going to help me.”

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Roy Oswalt wouldn’t dare call himself the ace of the Houston Astros’ pitching staff -- even if he starts on opening day. Not with Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens in the same rotation.

“There’s no way you can classify yourself as an ace when you’ve got a seven-time Cy Young guy on your side and someone like Andy,” Oswalt said.

Pitching coach Jim Hickey said Oswalt, the National League’s only 20-game winner last season, has no reason to be humble.

“If he’s reluctant to take the label of ace, then I’d also be reluctant to pin it on him,” Hickey said. “It’s nice that Roy is saying that, but I’d certainly take my chances with him in any situation.”

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Carlos Beltran got an early taste of the New York baseball atmosphere when he stepped into the Mets’ spring training conference room in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Beltran found 20 reporters and a dozen photographers waiting for him. The All-Star center fielder didn’t face this large a press contingent with the Kansas City Royals last spring. About 15 cameras followed Beltran around Monday as he took batting practice and participated in stretching exercises for the first time since signing a seven-year, $119-million contract last month.

“I don’t think I have to change just because I’m playing on the biggest stage,” Beltran said. “I’ve just got to be the same Carlos I’ve always been and go out and do my best.”