Saturday, August 23, 2003

 

Bobby Bonds, 1946-2003

I just got back from Pac Bell Park. I hadn't heard of his passing before I arrived. When they played the national anthem, I looked at the flagpoles. They were at half staff. It was chilling--I knew instantly what must have happened. Sure enough, a few minutes later they made the announcement over the PA system. They didn't have to ask for a moment of silence.

I have never, ever, heard that ballpark so completely and utterly quiet. Not during all the post 9/11 ceremonies, never. I think it would have stayed like that forever, if the PA announcer hadn't finally said something.

During the game, between innings, they showed photos and film of Bobby as a player, as a coach, as a dad. They put up some of those statistics of his. The ones that you just don't think about if you're my age (35) or younger. 332 homers. 3 Gold Gloves. 461 stolen bases. Three-time All-Star. Five-time 30/30 man. He was a great player, and a great Giant. I hope people remember that, and not just that he was Barry's father.

The Giants only started two of their regulars today--Cruz and Alfonzo. I suspect everyone else got the day off because Bobby Bonds was close to them all. He was the hitting coach for many of them at one point, at the very least. Somehow (okay, Neifi played his best game of the season), the Giants won anyway. And what started as a sad day ended with a lot of people leaving with smiles on their faces. Somehow, I think that's exactly what Bobby Bonds would have wanted.

Giants official site on Bobby Bonds' passing
Bobby Bonds career statistics
Ray Ratto's outstanding article on Bobby Bonds
American Cancer Society--if you want to make a contribution in his memory

Jefferson 6:22 PM

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