Schuerholz, who has been the Braves' general manager throughout their unparalleled run of 14 consecutive division championships, said he had never had a team back out of a trade before and hasn't had it happen since.

Had the Pirates not backed out of that deal, Schuerholz writes, it "might have changed the course of baseball history in a number of ways." He added: "Though Barry couldn't have produced more division titles for us, might he have powered us to another World Series title or two? Would he have developed into the same prolific home run hitter he became in San Francisco after his move to the Giants?"

The answer to the first question, based on Bonds's postseason history, is: probably not. The answer to the second question is: it depends. It depends on whether Bonds would have followed the same path he has with the Giants, whatever that has been.

Another new book, "Game of Shadows: Barry Bonds, Balco and the Steroids Scandal That Rocked Professional Sports," says Bonds was chemically aided in hitting many of his 708 home runs, including his record 73 in 2001.

Schuerholz says he is confident Bonds would have been different in at least one area: his comportment. If Bonds had joined the Braves, "he would have quickly accepted our longstanding team rules regarding issues such as not wearing jewelry while in uniform and not being allowed a recliner at his locker instead of the simple, canvas captain's chair our other players have."

"Nor would he have been accorded any other special star perk that might have set him apart and above his teammates," Schuerholz adds.

As evidence of his confidence, Schuerholz cited Gary Sheffield, another nonconformist, and how, in his two years with the Braves, he accepted the Braves' rules.