Bonds joins Giants at camp to coach minor leaguers
The black San Francisco Giants T-shirt that Barry Bonds wore was so new, the fold lines from being wrapped in plastic were easy to spot.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The black San Francisco Giants T-shirt that Barry Bonds wore was so new, the fold lines from being wrapped in plastic were easy to spot.
Still, it seemed a natural fit for Bonds, the former slugger who donned a Giants uniform for his first day of work in his new role with the club, a hitting instructor and special adviser to CEO Larry Baer.
The job began Wednesday with a week in Arizona working with major league hitting coach Hensley Meulens and the minor leaguers at spring training. Then Bonds will become an ambassador of sorts for the Giants, representing the team at various community and club events.
“Any role that they want, that’s what I’ll do,” Bonds said. “All I’ve ever wanted to be is a Giant.”
Bonds spent last season as Miami’s hitting coach before being fired, and thanked the Marlins for the opportunity.
The 52-year-old Bonds looked relaxed and had plenty to smile about in talking about reuniting with the Giants, the team with which he set baseball’s all-time home run record and won five of his record seven NL Most Valuable Player awards.
Bonds said he wished his father was there to see his return to the Giants — Bobby Bonds died in 2003. He also was hoping to cross paths with his famous godfather, Giants great Willie Mays.
“I want to help our community, our team, San Francisco, the Giants, the younger players, keep the tradition alive,” Bonds said. “Same thing my godfather’s done, my father’s done ... it’s the right thing to do. I’m from San Francisco, raised there, and I want to help out our community kids become Giants, and good ones.”
“All I’ve ever wanted to do is to make my godfather and my dad proud of me,” he said.
Bonds drew loud applause as he walked onto the field toward the visitors’ dugout at Maryvale Baseball Park before the Giants faced the Milwaukee Brewers in an exhibition game. He stopped to sign a few autographs as fans clogged the stairway leading to the field to catch a glimpse or get a signature.