San Francisco Giants to retire Barry Bonds number
It has taken far too long, but the San Francisco Giants are set to finally retire Barry Bonds’ number.
The number 25 has special meaning to the Bonds family when it comes to the San Francisco Giants. Bobby Bonds wore the number from 1969 through 1974, making two All Star Games and winning three Gold Gloves with the 25 on his back. His son, Barry Bonds, continued the family tradition, taking over that number when he joined the Giants in 1993.
That number would remain with Bonds until he was essentially forced into retirement following the 2007 campaign. However, after that point, the Giants never reissued the number, leaving it unofficially retired. That will change on August 11, when San Francisco will honor Bonds, retiring the number permanently.
The Giants announce they will retire Barry Bonds’s No. 25 on Aug. 11.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 6, 2018
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It is not a surprise that the Giants would want to honor one of their greatest players. Over the course of his 15 seasons in San Francisco, Bonds produced a .312/.477/.666 batting line, hitting 586 homers and stealing 263 bases. He was a 12 time All Star, five time MVP, and five time Gold Glove winner during his time with the Giants. He became the single season and career home run leader in their uniform, making him one of the team’s real legends.
However, Bonds has a complicated legacy. His connections with Balco, and his suspected PED usage, clouded his on field achievements. Arguably one of the greatest players in baseball history, Bonds has yet to come close to the Hall of Fame due to those allegations.
When Bonds has his number 25 retired, it will be interesting to see how he is remembered. He was one of the greatest sluggers ever to set foot on the diamond, a true five tool player. His power and speed combination are unmatched in baseball history, as no one else has come close to the 500-500 club. And yet, those whispers will continue to dog his accomplishments, shrouding his performance.
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The San Francisco Giants are finally going to retire Barry Bonds’ number. Maybe this will help ease some of the questions about his legacy, at least amongst Giants faithful.