Bonds Is Already Making a Dent

Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle, commenting on the Giants’ Barry Bonds: “[His] first batting-practice home run of spring training struck a car driving past the ballpark, and that’s good news.

“It shows that the ball this year is probably juiced, which could mean another monster long-ball season for Bonds. By the way, if you’re interested, that dented car probably is posted on EBay.”

More Bonds: “[His] wrath-lacking equanimity is part of a good-news spring for the two local nines. In one photo, Bonds is seen jogging with two Giants’ teammates, talking and smiling. It’s the new Barry.

“Who knows, maybe he’s even letting his teammates take turns trying out his clubhouse recliner.”

Trivia time: Who holds the NBA regular-season record for most consecutive seasons leading the league in rebounds?

Is this a fight? Jerry Izenberg of the New Jersey Star-Ledger, commenting on Mike Tyson’s 49-second knockout of Clifford Etienne on Saturday night in Memphis: “It proved that Etienne was an opponent straight from central casting. Here is a guy who was knocked down not four ... not five ... but seven times by Fres Oquendo, who cynics say does not punch hard enough to break an egg for an omelet.”

The new math: Dwight Perry in the Seattle Times: “Tonya Harding says losing her pro debut Saturday hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm for boxing. Let’s just hope any punishment she took didn’t diminish her math skills, either.

“ ‘[Boxing is] half mental an half physical,’ Harding told Associated Press before the fight. ‘You put it all together, and it makes one.’ ”

More Harding: NBC’s Jay Leno, labeling her a legitimate contender for the WTBA title: “That’d be the White Trash Boxing Assn.”

More Perry: “News flash: Federal agents confiscated nearly 10 tons of marijuana, worth roughly $9 million, from a truck carrying computer circuits across the border from Mexico on Friday.

“Local officials, obviously caught up in the moment, prematurely proclaimed it the biggest dope bust in San Diego-area history -- conveniently forgetting that, just five years ago, the Chargers signed Ryan Leaf for $31 million.”

Recount: Florida Gov. Jeb Bush paid off his Fiesta Bowl bet Sunday, donning an Ohio State football jersey for part of a session at the National Governors Assn. meetings.

“He took it very well,” Bush spokeswoman Jill Bratina said. “He was wearing the jersey for all the former Ohio State residents that now call Florida home.”

Bush was on the losing end of a bet with Ohio Gov. Bob Taft after the Buckeyes beat Miami, 31-24, in last month’s Fiesta Bowl for the national championship.

Trivia answer: Dennis Rodman, seven, with Detroit, San Antonio and Chicago.

And finally: Steve Rosenbloom in the Chicago Tribune: “Some scouts criticize [former Trojan] Carson Palmer’s leadership and charisma.

“Look, Peyton Manning supposedly has leadership and charisma, and he has about as many playoff wins as you and me.”

-- Mal Florence