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Bonds gets ovation at AT&T: ‘This is my family’
- Updated: April 23, 2016
11:46 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds did not expect a hero’s welcome upon his return to AT&T Park in a baseball uniform for the first time since his last game with the San Francisco Giants in 2007. He hoped for something warmer.
“I don’t really have fans in San Francisco; this is my family,” Bonds, who is in his first season as the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach, said in the visitor’s dugout before Friday’s game against the Giants. “This is where I was raised, this is where I grew up, people that stood behind me through thick and thin. And so I always will appreciate that and always have my love for San Francisco.”
As reviled as Bonds was as a player in the rest of the known baseball universe, he was just as revered in the Bay Area, where his father, Bobby, also starred as a five-tool big leaguer. Bonds is also the godson of Giants legend Willie Mays.
Former Giants great Barry Bonds, now the Marlins’ hitting coach, waves to the crowd in his first game back at AT&T Park since his playing career ended in 2007. Jason O. Watson/Getty Images
Most of the other 29 stadiums might consider his all-time record of 762 homers tainted because of his connection to performance-enhancing drugs, but not so on the shores of McCovey Cove.
On Friday, Bond was welcomed back like the prodigal son returning home when he came out to deliver his new team’s lineup card to the umpires.
He was given a warm embrace by longtime Giants bench coach Ron Wotus as the crowd realized what was going on at home plate. Thunderous applause broke out and chants of “Bar-ry, Bar-ry, Bar-ry” filled the air as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.
Bonds acknowledged the cheers and, like he did many times in his 15 seasons with the Giants, took two steps out of the batter’s box — yes, his old home on the left side. He doffed his cap with his right hand and pounded his chest with his left fist, circling around to make sure every seat in the waterfront ballpark saw his gesture.
Then in the middle of the third inning, the Giants played a video tribute …
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