Bonds and Bonds: Barry Set the Father-Son HR Mark in San Francisco

On July 5, 1989, the San Francisco Giants hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at Candlestick Park. With the Giants comfortably ahead in the ninth inning, 6-1, the Pirates had runners on first and third with one out.

Jim Leyland sent Barry Bonds into the game to pinch-hit for Neal Heaton. The future all-time single season and career home run leader was mired in a slump. The night before the game, he spoke to his father Bobby in a plea for help.

Bobby asked his son a seemingly ridiculous question. “Do you ever want to hit again?”

A slightly puzzled Barry replied in the positive. After all, that was the reason he had called.

The senior Bonds explained to his son that he was holding his hands too close to his body, which fouled up his swing. “It’s why no one can diagnose your problem,” said Bobby.

Stepping in against Steve “Bedrock” Bedrosian, Bonds followed his father’s advice. The result was a 440-ft. home run. It wasn’t enough, as the Giants held on for a 6-4 win, but the home run still was highly significant.

Bobby and Barry Bonds became the all-time father and son home run leaders. Barry Bonds retired with 332 home runs. The shot off Bedrosian was the 76th for Barry.

There is no doubt that Bobby and Barry Bonds are the greatest father-son combination to ever play the game. Ken Griffey and Ken Griffey, Jr. are a close second. Here is a brief statistical comparison:

FAMILY    HR    RBI    SB    AVR

Bonds    1,094    3,020    975    .285

Griffey    782    2,695    384    .289

Barry Bonds joined the Giants in 1993 and promptly led the league with 46 home runs, 123 RBIs, a .458 on-base average and a .677 slugging percentage.

Free-agent signings, especially those that involve great sluggers, are risky. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are discovering that fact, as Albert Pujols remains in the throes of one of the worst slumps any great player has ever endured.

As a Giant, Bonds batted .312/.477/.666, averaging an incredible 49 home runs over a 162-game season.

Bonds had some injuries in his Giants career, but he was the best free-agent signing in baseball history.

Unlike Pete Rose, Barry Bonds doesn’t need the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame needs Barry Bonds.