SAN FRANCISCO – One of the greatest players in M.L.B. history is joining his former organization. Barry Lamar Bonds is returning to the San Francisco Giants organization as a special advisor to CEO Larry Baer, the Giants announced via a press release Tuesday morning.
According to the release:
”We are delighted to welcome Barry back home to the Giants,” said Giants CEO Larry Baer. “As one of the greatest players of all-time, Barry’s contributions to our organization are legendary. He joins Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda and other distinguished alumni who help advise the club and we look forward to working with him again. ”
“I am excited to be back home with the Giants and join the team in an official capacity,” said Bonds. “San Francisco has always been my home and the Giants will always be my family. I look forward to spending time with the team, young players in the system as well as the Bay Area community.”
Bonds signed with the Giants in 1993 and spent his final 15 Major League seasons in San Francisco, compiling a .312 batting average with 381 doubles, 41 triples, 586 home runs and 1,440 RBI in 1,976 games. He can be found throughout the SF-era record books, ranking in the top 10 for batting average (first), games (third), at-bats (third – 6,263), runs (first – 1,555), hits (third – 1,951), doubles (first), triples (fourth), home runs (first), RBI (first), stolen bases (first – 263) and walks (first – 1,947).
Bonds won seven NL MVP awards, eight Gold Glove awards and received 14 All-Star selections during his storied 22-year Major League career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-92) and San Francisco Giants (1993-2007). He was a two-time winner of the National League batting title and the lone member of baseball’s 500 homer-500 steal club holds Major League Baseball’s all-time records for home runs (762) and walks (2,558).
Bonds’ impressive resume also includes baseball’s single-season records for home runs (73 in 2001), walks (232 in 2004), intentional walks (120 in 2004), on-base percentage (.609 in 2004) and slugging percentage (.863 in 2001).