Bonds likes his FREEDOM!

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. Lights adorning the large tree in Union Square are sold to benefit the UCSF Children’s Hospital palliative care program, and nearly $700,000 has been raised during the past five years.

Bonds was questioned by a young patient about potentially returning to baseball.

“I had fun,” Bonds said. “But I like my freedom.”

Bonds has donated time and money to the 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 wheelchairs.

FREEBIRD! Errr.. BONDS!