Top Shot

Record-chasing Bonds rested, set for Monday return

CHICAGO: San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds, who needs two home runs to tie all-time leader Hank Aaron, was rested for the 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

However Bonds, who stands on 753 career home runs, is expected to be in the lineup when San Francisco play at home against the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

"His legs are feeling fine and we want to keep it that way," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters in Milwaukee.

"I'd rather keep him out for a day right now than have to do it when his legs are sore."

Bonds, who is 43 on Tuesday, is expected to start when the Giants begin a four-game homestand against the Braves. That would give Bonds a chance to tie or break Aaron's record of 755 career home runs before a home crowd.

The Atlanta series will be followed by three home games against the Florida Marlins and Bochy said Bonds could start in five or six of the games.

Schumacher honored at Nuerburgring

NUERBURGRING, Germany: Germany's seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher on Sunday became the first driver to have a corner named after him at the Nuerburgring circuit, less than a year after he retired.

Schumacher, who grew up in the nearby town of Kerpen, won five of his 91 grand prix victories on the Formula One circuit in the Eiffel hills near Germany's western border with Luxembourg.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be privileged to experience a situation like this," Schumacher told the crowd of 135,000 before unveiling a banner spread on a hoarding around the S-corner at a ceremony at the start of the European Grand Prix.

Schumacher was then the first to drive through the newly named corner, where this season's championship leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren crashed heavily in Saturday's qualifying.

Inter's Mancini hints at Emerson interest

MILAN: Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini is considering a bid for out-of-favor Real Madrid midfielder Emerson.

The Brazilian, who followed coach Fabio Capello from Juventus to Madrid last year, has been told he does not figure in new Real boss Bernd Schuster's plans following Capello's sacking.

"Great players are always welcome at a team which is already very strong and that can improve," Mancini told reporters on Sunday at the Serie A champions' pre-season training camp.

"We will see in the coming days but Emerson is a great player, one of the best in the world in his position."

Asked about a revival of the bid for AS Roma defender Cristian Chivu, Mancini said: "I don't know, we will see what happens. I honestly don't know."

Mancini added that the battle for this season's title would be between Inter, AC Milan, Roma and promoted Juventus.

(China Daily 07/24/2007 page19)