Minneapolis-Magic Johnson criticized a pair of talk show hosts recently for accusing him of faking AIDS but said he didn’t want them fired.

Chris Baker and Langdon Perry of KTLK in Minneapolis made the remarks during Baker’s conservative radio show. After Johnson condemned the statements, the station said it regretted “some offhand remarks” by the pair.

“We can’t have people out here making false statements and putting out bad information, because this battle is too big when it comes to HIV and AIDS,” Johnson told AP.

Johnson called the remarks “so stupid,” and said he hadn’t heard from the station.  He also said he would like the pair to keep their jobs.

“I would rather they educate their audience,” he said.

According to a partial transcript and audio clip posted on a media watchdog site, mediamatters.org, the remarks came after a caller asserted that health care isn’t a basic right. Perry responded by asking about treatable diseases that a person can live with for a long time “if you just get some basic drugs.”  Baker responded, “Like Magic Johnson?”

Perry replied, “Like Magic with his faked AIDS. Magic faked AIDS,”

Baker said, “You think Magic faked AIDS for sympathy?”

Perry replied, “I’m convinced that Magic faked AIDS.”

“Me too,” Baker said.

KTLK’s statement said it recognized the seriousness of AIDS and the great work Johnson has done to call attention to the disease.

“We regret that some offhand remarks by commentators on KTLK did not reflect that,” the statement said. “The better inform our listeners and employees, KTLK will be airing HIV/AIDS awareness public service announcements, and will be reaching out to Johnson to get his thoughts on education efforts.”

San Francisco-Barry Bonds made a rare public appearance recently and said he is enjoying life away from baseball.

“I’m happy now that I have more time,” Bonds told the crowd at the kickoff event of the Macy’s Christmas tree lighting. “I’ve actually enjoyed myself immensely.”

Bonds, honorary chair of this year’s lighting, did not talk to reporters and left quickly after giving a brief speech during the 30 minute ceremony.

Bonds was questioned by a young fan about potentially returning to baseball. “I had fun,” Bonds said. “But I like my freedom.”

Bonds has donated time and money to the UCSF Children’s Hospital palliative care program, hosting golf tournaments and visiting patients and their families. He passed out autographed baseball cards of himself and politely chatted with several patients, many confined to whellchairs.

“We all go through adversities and tragedies,” Bonds told the crowd, which greeted him with a standing ovation. “It takes every one of us to stick together to make all of our children’s times as precious as we can.”

Bonds hit 762 homers, seven more than the previous record set by all time great, Hank Aaron.

Giants managing partner Bill Neukom said the team has not decided whether to erect a statue of Bonds in his honor as it has done for Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal and Orlando Cepada.

Tiger Woods says football players who have the kind of knee surgury that ended his season usually are not at their best for two years.

“Luckily, I don’t play football,” Woods recently said.

Woods said his knee will probably be no more than 85% strong when he returns, but he sees no reason why he can’t get back to the level of play that brought him nine victories in 12 official events this year, no finish worse than a tie for fifth.

One week after winning the U.S Open in a 19 hole playoff at Torry Pines, Woods had surgery to rebuild the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. If the healing process runs its normal course, he said he will not be swing a club until January at the earliest.

Woods said his goal was getting his body healthy for 2009 to compete at a high level.

He said his nine months of competition, from an eight shot victory in the Bridgestone Invitational through his playoff at the U.S Open for his 14th career major, was the best stretch of his career.

“I think I played better in this stretch than I have at any time in my career,” said Woods, whose 65 career PGA vitories trail only Jack Nicklaus (73) and Sam Snead (82). “I may have won more major championships, but I certainly have never been in contention in as many events, or won as many events in a row. I had a pretty good run.”

In the only three tournaments he didn’t win between August 2007 and June 2008, Woods finished two shots behind Phil Mickelson at the Deutsche Bank Championship, two shots behind Geoff Ogilvy at Doral and three shots behind Trevor Immelman at the Masters.

But he could face a fresh challenge when he returns.

Over the last five months, Anthony Kim has emerged as golf’s brightest young prospect with wins in the Wachovia Championship and AT&T National at Congressional, along with a starring role in the U.S victory at the Ryder Cup.

The 23 year old Kim began the year at No. 75 in the world, now is at No. 6.

Other players who could challenge Woods when he returns are Steve Stricker, Kenny Perry, Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Hunter Mahan and Boo Weekly as well as Padraig Harrington and Paul Casey of Europe.

With so mach success by younger players, is Woods eager to return?

“Yes and no,” he said. “Because as of right now, I couldn’t beat anyone. I can’t swing a club yet. So there’s really no sense in me getting too excited and too fired up, and going out there and embarrassing myself right now. Maybe I could take them on in a putt-putt contest.”

He is curious what he could have done without knee surgery.

Woods won four of his six starts on the PGA tour, and kept his lead on the money list until Labor Day.