Bonds eyes encore as Marlins’ hitting coach

MIAMI — Barry Bonds recently told a crowd of about 500 members of the SABR organization that he has so enjoyed his first year as the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach that he’d love an encore.

“If they want me back [next season], I’ll be back,” Bonds said in wide-ranging interview, conducted for the group by MLB.com.

Bonds said he couldn’t have conceived of acting as a full-time hitting coach this past offseason before Marlins owner Jeffry Loria called him about taking the job.

“Are you nuts?” Bonds told the crowd gathered in the stands behind home plate at Marlins Park, recalling his instant reaction.

Loria wound up hiring Don Mattingly as manager, and the former American League batting champion made his own call to Bonds about the job. Bonds reconsidered, and after an extensive interview, he signed a one-year contract.

The Marlins lead the National League in hitting with a .272 average, trailing only the Red Sox (.285) in the Major Leagues.

Loria said he wasn’t ready to comment on Bonds’ future, but he was pleased to know that he is eager to return.

Mattingly and Bonds, two of the most prolific hitters in recent baseball history, have changed the club’s culture in one season. Losers of 91 games a year ago, Miami is in the thick of the NL Wild Card chase.

Bonds has often said that he returned to coaching full-time to honor his late father, Bobby Bonds, and his godfather, Willie Mays. All three played for the Giants.

“My dad was the best …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com