Today in Sports History: February 28th

2/28/2006 - Bonds dresses in drag

In an impromptu chemistry building excercise, members of the San Francisco Giants dress up as the hosts of American Idol. Ray Durham impersonated Randy Jackson, Jeff Fassero dressed up as Simon Cowell, Omar Visquel was Ryan Seacrest, and Barry Bonds, yes, Barry Bonds, was Paula Abdul.

"It was up in the air whether Barry would do this," said Mark Sweeney, who had thought of the idea said. "We asked him this morning. It was almost embarrassing to have him do it."

Bonds had always had a contentious, almost vitriolic relationship with the media, particularly after the Balco case. But for once, Barry received some positive feedback from the press. The same thing had worked for Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies. Though he didn't dress up in a strapless dress, Schmidt did don a wig and began getting cheers from the Philadelphia fans.

However, both men were outclassed by Dennis Rodman, who once appeared in public in a wedding dress to promote his new book.