The Front Row: Still 111 homers short

Bonds watch is over: On Tuesday night, Barry Bonds finally hit No. 756—emphasis on the word “finally.”

Long ago, I came to grips with the fact that one of my least favorite modern athletes would be Major League Baseball’s home run king, but I had no idea how Bonds’ chase would affect me on a personal level.

There was a joylessness in Bonds’ pursuit. I watched most of his at-bats leading up to 755 and 756, but I did so out of obligation, not out of appreciation.

This paper goes to press on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night every week, so each night Bonds had a chance to “make history,” I had to put my personal life on hold.

I’m fully aware that this is part of being a sportswriter, but it got extremely tiresome to have to continually miss out on life in order to chronicle this event.

Let’s just say I would’ve felt better about the situation had it been Ken Griffey Jr. getting ready to break Hank Aaron’s record.

Now that Bonds is offically the home run king, I’m going to reconnect with my friends and no longer use the phrase “Bonds watch.”

Wake me if Bonds approaches Japanese slugger Sadaharu Oh’s tally of 868 home runs.

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Daly beats the heat: Prior to yesterday’s opening round of the PGA Championship, who would be the last golfer you’d pick to be near the top of the day one leaderboard?

With temperatures hovering over the century mark at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla., one would assume only the most physically fit and mentally tough golfers would be in contention.

However, John Daly and his, um, unique body type took the course by storm, firing an opening-round 67 to put himself amongst the first-day leaders.

It’s only appropriate, since Daly first burst onto the scene as the surprise winner of the 1991 edition of this tournament.

Daly hasn’t won a tour event in three years, and conventional wisdom would lead most golf fans to believe that his lifestyle would hinder his ability to compete in such a hot climate.

On the other end of the spectrum, the lean, fit golfing machine known as Tiger Woods struggled through an up-and-down round on his way to a 1-over 71.

This should turn out to be a very interesting tournament.

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But does it make sense? Reggie Miller is thinking about a return to professional basketball.

The 42-year-old sharpshooter is looking at lacing up his sneakers again—possibly while wearing Celtic green.

The knee-jerk response to a great athlete contemplating a comeback is typically, “Don’t do it! Don’t risk your legacy!”

I’m of the opinion that anyone should be able to play as long as they’re still comfortable and productive, so I wish Miller the best of luck with whatever decision he decides to make.

However, I don’t think the Boston Celtics are a good fit.

Boston added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to give Paul Pierce a shot at the Eastern Conference title, and they’re desperate for any other legitimate pieces to help fill out the roster.

However, most of Boston’s deficiences currently lie with perimeter defense.

Miller can definitely shoot it, but he will essentially give Boston a less-athletic and older version of what Allen already gives them.

If Boston can snag Miller at the veteran’s minimum, he will definitely give the Celtics a boost and help fill out a depleated roster.

But Miller still doesn’t make Boston as good as the five best teams in the Western Conference.