July 24, 2009: Not a free agent after all

Barry Bonds' wife changes her mind about divorce.

by Jeffrey Cottrill

Barry Bonds thought he was out, but he's just been called safe. For now.

The former baseball superstar's estranged wife, Liz Watson, had filed for legal separation on June 5, citing irreconcilable differences. But this past Tuesday, she changed her mind and filed papers with a court to dismiss the request, according to TMZ.

More information on contemplating divorce: Contemplating Divorce: Separation Reasons for Divorce Knowing If You Should Stay Should You Stay or Go? Is Divorce the Right Choice for You?

Watson is Bonds' second wife; they married in January 1998. He was married to Susann "Sun" Margreth Branco from 1988 to 1994; less than three years after their divorce, the Catholic Church annulled the marriage. He has two children from his marriage to Branco, 19-year-old Nikolai Lamar and 18-year-old Shikari. Bonds also reportedly had an affair with Kimberly Bell from 1994 to 2003, even buying an Arizona home for her.

Barry Bonds, who turns 45 today, broke numerous Major League Baseball records during his 15 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Among his achievements are seven MVP awards (including four consecutive ones) and the most home runs in the single season (73, in 2001). But his career was tarnished by scandal in 2003, when he was first accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. He is currently a free agent, but also awaiting trial on perjury charges after claiming he never knowingly took steroids.

• Resolving to Keep Your Marriage Together
• Helping Your Own Child Custody Case
• How to Earn Forgiveness and Rebuild Trust after Betrayal

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