SAN FRANCISCO — Legally cleared at last, Barry Bonds is unconcerned with everybody else’s thoughts on his career or credentials: He’s a Hall of Famer. Hands down.

“I don’t even justify that. There’s no need,” he said Thursday night at AT&T Park. “That’s without saying.”

The 51-year-old home run king said he feels a huge sense of relief since federal prosecutors dropped what was left of their criminal case against him last month after a nearly decade-long steroids prosecution.

“I can say yes, there’s a lot. Because it’d be not true if I said there wasn’t some weight lifted off my shoulders,” Bonds said in an interview with The Associated Press, his first since the government announcement.

“I’ve never been much of a talker. That’s never been my game. I don’t have time to put people down, I don’t have time to do all that stuff. I don’t care to. If people want to say negative things, that’s their opinion,” the former San Francisco Giants star said.

The government’s pursuit of Bonds ended July 21.

“That’s why I say God is good. Every player who’s ever played against me knows my ability, and that’s something I will never, ever have to explain,” Bonds said. “I’m not insulted by anything. I don’t hold grudges. I’m not going to hold a grudge. I know what I brought to the game. I’m proud of that.”