© John Hefti | USA Today
In the midst of a mediocre Giants baseball season comes a reminder of more exciting times. Barry Bonds, the all-time leading home run hitter in Major League Baseball, will get his number retired by the Giants this Saturday.
Bonds, who holds both the single-season and all-time home run records at 73 and 762 home runs, respectively, will receive a roughly one-hour ceremony before the Giants (57-57) face the Pittsburgh Pirates – Bonds’s other alma mater. He will be just the eighth San Francisco Giants player to have his number retired.
Ahead of the Giants’ Tuesday afternoon game against the Houston Astros, manager Bruce Bochy was asked about the ceremony and responded with praise for his old slugger.
“You look at what Barry’s done since he joined the Giants back in 1993,” Bochy said. “He just brought baseball back here and excitement for the fans. He’s just so loved here because of what he did on the field and also helped the Giants win a lot of ball games in that era.”
Bochy added that Bonds was a tier above in his time as a play.
“You’re talking the best player in his era, so it’s going to be a big day for Barry,” Bochy said. “I know he’s excited about it. He was here yesterday. I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of fun with this too.”