Ruth, Aaron and now the out-of-the-park ego

SAN FRANCISCO — Who knows which fan will catch the historic blast that crowns Barry Bonds as baseball's all-time home run king.

But the teenager who caught the one tying Babe Ruth's 714 had this to say: He hates Bonds.

Just 21 swats shy of besting the record 755 home runs set by Hank Aaron a generation ago, the Giants slugger has emerged not as a role model but as the most divisive figure in all of professional sports.

Bonds -- and many of his fans here -- couldn't care less.

Even as his surly behavior and suspicions of illegal steroid use overshadow his achievements, he maintains his petulant swagger on and off the field -- grandstanding home runs, barking at reporters and snarling at requests for his autograph.

Many baseball fans have responded with the raspberry. On the road, Bonds is booed lustily by crowds who hurl insults and detritus onto the field. "Steroids!" they chant. "Cheater!"

In Giants-loathing cities like Los Angeles, he's often jeered not just each time he takes the plate but long before -- through pregame practice throws, team introductions and on-deck warmups.

In San Francisco, which plays host to the Dodgers for a three-game series beginning today, the son of longtime favorite Bobby Bonds and the godson of Willie Mays has remained baseball royalty.

Loyalists handle the moody slugger with kid gloves, choosing to ignore his character flaws as long as he sends baseballs splashing into McCovey Cove.

"I'm here to watch Barry play ball," said Tony Chaney, 27, who attended Giants opening day this week in a team jersey bearing Bonds' name and No. 25. "I go see Tom Cruise movies, too, and that guy's the original prima donna. I couldn't care less."

But the adulation is waning. When Bonds was announced Tuesday, heckling could plainly be heard. During a preseason game last week, Giants fan Javier Meneses yelled "Where's the \o7juice\f7?" using a slang word for steroids.

Meneses was against the team's decision this spring to give the 42-year-old Bonds a one-year, $15.8-million contract so he could break Aaron's record as a Giant. He said he has grown tired of the selfish antics of a player who openly berates teammates and scorns team photos and fan appreciation gatherings.

Bonds' sour attitude, he says, has taken the joy out of the home run race. "It's not just the drugs," he said. "It's about being a jerk."