King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' three game series against the Pirates at PNC Park from April 29-May 1:

April 29 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he walked.

In the third, he walked again.

In the fifth, he drew a third walk,

In the eighth, he was called out on strikes. Final score: Giants 5, Pirates 2.

Final stats: 0-1, three walks.

Season so far: .287 average (25-87), six home runs, sixteen RBIs.

April 30 (played left Feld and batted fourth):

In the first, he doubled to center.

In the third, he bounced into a fielder's choice. Right fielder Jason Ellison scored.

In the sixth, he singled to left and eventually scored on an error by Pirates center fielder Jason Bay.

In the seventh, he grounded back to the mound. Final score: Giants 7, Pirates 6.

Final stats: 2-4, run scored, RBI

Season so far: .297 batting average (27-91), six home runs, seventeen RBIs.

May 1 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he walked.

In the third, with second baseman Deivi Cruz at first, he hit his seventh homer of the year (career Number 785) into the left field bullpen off of Pirates pitcher Oliver Perez.

In the fifth, he walked and eventually scored on first baseman Lance Niekro's two-run homer.

In the seventh, he singled to center, stole second, and scored on Niekro's double to right,

In the eighth, he singled to center. Ellison scored. Final score: Giants 8, Pirates 3.

Final stats: 3-3, two walks, three runs scored, home run, three RBIs.

Season so far: .319 batting average (30-94), seven home runs, nineteen RBIs.

Bonds now has 785 career home runs. He's fifteen away from eight hundred and eighty-three behind Oh.

Next: Bonds and the Giants head to Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks from May 2-4.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark from May 2-4:

May 2 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he flied to left.

In the third, he walked and eventually scored on catcher Mike Matheny's grand slam.

In the fourth, he popped to first.'

In the sixth, he beat out a grounder to third for an infield single.

In the eighth, he grounded into a 5-4-3 double play.

In the tenth, he doubled to center. Edgardo Alfonzo scored, Final score: Giants 9, Diamondbacks 8.

Final stats: 2-5 plus walk, run scored, RBI.

Season so far: .323 batting average (32-99). seven home runs, nineteen RBIs.

Bonds sat out the middle game of the series on Tuesday, May 3. The Diamondbacks beat the Giants 3-2.

May 4 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he doubled to left.

In the fourth, he walked and scored on third baseman Pedro Feliz's double to right,

In the sixth, he singled to left.

In the eighth, he walked again. Final score: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 2,

Final stats: 2-2, two walks, run scored.

Season so far: .337 batting average (34-101), seven home runs, nineteen RBIs,

Bonds came down with a spring cold and missed all three games of the series against the Washington Nationals from May 6-8 at SBC Park, The Giants lost the first two games: 9-3 on May 6 and 11-8 on May 7, They won the third game 4-3 in thirteen innings on May 8.

Next: The Giants welcome the Pirates for a three-game series at SBC Park on Monday, May 9,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series against the Pirates at SBC Park from May 9-11:

May 9 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the second, he singled to center.

In the fourth, he grounded to third.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging, Final score: Giants 2, Pirates 1.

Final stats: 1-3

Season so far: ;337 batting average, seven home runs, nineteen runs batted in,

Bonds' respiratory infection was still hanging on, and he was out of the lineup on Tuesday, May 10 and Wednesday, May 11,, The Pirates prevailed 5-2 on May 10 and 7-2 on May 11, Bonds returned to the lineup as the Giants began a four-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, May 12.

Next: The Giants face the Astros.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the four-game series between the Giants and the Astros at Minute Maid Park from May 12-15:

May 12 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, his fly ball to left scored right fielder Jason Ellison,

In the third, he grounded to short.

In the sixth, he walked and later scored on catcher Mike Matheny's single.

In the eighth, he struck out swinging.

In the ninth, he reached on an error by Astros third baseman Morgan Ensberg. Ellison scored. Final score: Giants 6, Astros 3.

Final stats: 1-3, walk, sac fly, two RBIs.

Season so far: ,336 batting average (36-107), seven home runs, twenty-one RBIs.

Bonds sat out the second game of the series on Friday, May 13 to limit the pain in his knees from playing on artificial turf. The Giants won 4-2. He returned to the lineup on Saturday, May 14.

May 14 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he flew to right.

In the sixth, he singled to right,

In the ninth, he lined to Ensberg at third.

Final stats: 1-4

Season so far: .333 batting average (37-111), seven home runs, twenty-one RBIs.

Bonds sat out the final game of the series on Sunday, May 15. The Astros won, 9-0,

The Giants' road trip continued at Coors Field in Denver for a three-game series against the Rockies that began on Tuesday, May 17. Bonds was back in the lineup for the opener.

Next: The Giants battle the Rockies.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Rockies at Coors Field from May 17-19:

May 17 (played left field and batted third):

In the first, he singled to center.

In the third, he flew to center,

In the fourth, he walked.

In the sixth, he popped to short.

In the eighth, he singled to left. Final score: Rockies 9, Giants 4.

Final stats: 2-5, walk.

Season so far: .339 batting average (39-115), seven home runs, twenty-one runs batted in,

Bonds sat out the second game of the series on Wednesday, May 18. The Giants won 3-2, He returned to the lineup on Thursday, May 19.

May 19 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he flied to center,

In the third, he popped to short,

In the fifth, he struck out swinging.

In the seventh, he grounded into a 5-3 double play, Final score: Rockies 3, Giants 1,

Final stats: 0-4.

Season so far: .328 batting average (39-119), seven home runs, twenty-one runs batted in.

Next: Bonds and the Giants welcome the Oakland Athletics to SBC Park for a three-game series on Friday, May 20,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series against the Athletics from May 20-22:

May 20 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the second, he popped to second.

In the fourth, he walked.

In the fifth, he singled to left. Second baseman Ray Durham scored.

In the seventh, he grounded to third.

In the ninth, he flew to right. Final score: A's 8, Giants 4.

Final stats: 1-4, walk, run batted in.

Note: Bonds moved to third base in the eighth inning, He had two defensive chances and handled them flawlessly.

Season so far: .325 batting average (40-123). seven home runs, twenty-two RBIs.

Bonds sat out the last two games of the series because of his knees. The Giants won both. 3-2 on May 21 and 3-1 on May 22.

Bonds returned on May 24 when the Giants opened a three-game series against the Dodgers at SBC Park on Tuesday, May 24. .

Next: The Giants face the Padres.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Padres at SBC Park from May 27-29:

May 27 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he flied to left.

In the fourth, he bounced into a fielder's choice.

In the seventh, he grounded to third, Final score: Padres 9, Giants 3,

Final stats: 0-3.

Season so far: ,317 batting average (40-126), seven home runs, twenty-two runs batted in.

May 28 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he grounded to third,

In the fourth, he singled to left.

In the seventh, he struck out swinging.

In the ninth, he flied to center. Final score: Padres 5, Giants 3,

Final stats: 1-4.

Season so far: .315 batting average (41-130), seven home runs, twenty-two runs batted in,

May 29 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he grounded to first.

In the fourth, he was walked intentionally,

In the sixth, he struck out swinging,

In the eighth, he grounded to second.

Final stats: 0 for 3, intentional walk.

Season so far: .308 batting average (41-133), seven home runs, twenty-two RBIs.

That's the last full series for May. In my next post, I'll start my look at the part of September where Bonds didn't play.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

We begin our look at September on the second, when the Giants opened a three-game series against the Dianondbacks at Bank One Ballpark,

September 2 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he grounded to short.

In the fourth, he struck out swinging.

In the sixth, he singled to left and eventually scored on Ray Durham's three-run homer.

In the seventh, he flied to center. Final score: Giants 6, Diamondbacks 3.

Final stats: 1-4, run scored.

Season so far: .307 batting average (42-137), seven home runs, twenty-two RBIs.

Bonds sat out the middle game of the series on September 3, The Giants won 9-4. He also sat out the final game on September 4 due to pain in his injured biceps, The Giants prevailed 3-2.

The pain in Bonds' bicep was too great for him to return on Labor Day (September 5) when the Giants took on the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium as the Giants downed the Men in Blue 3-1. He also sat out on September 6 when the Dodgers won 4-2 in ten innings, He returned for the series finale on Wednesday, September 7. We'll cover that two posts down,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I had Bonds missing the May 24-26 series against the Dodgers when he should have played, Here's how he fared:

May 24 (played left field and batted sixth):

In the second, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he grounded to short.

In the sixth, he was called out on strikes.

In the eighth, he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Final score: Dodgers 5, Giants 3,

Final stats: 0-4

Season so far: .298 batting average (42 for 141), seven home runs, twenty-two runs batted in,

Bonds still sat out the game on May 25, which the Dodgers won 10-2, He also sat out the game on May 26, which the Dodgers won 6-4.

Next: To be determined,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, September 7:

In the first, he singled to center. First baseman J.T. Snow scored.

In the third, he flied to center,

In the sixth, he grounded to third,

In the eighth, he walked and eventually scored on second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo's single. Final score: Dodgers 9, Giants 8.

Final stats: 1-3, walk. run scored, RBI.

Season so far: .299 batting average (43-144), seven home runs, twenty-three runs batted in.

Next: The Giants welcome the Chicago Cubs to SBC Park for a four-game series beginning Thursday, September 8.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' four-game series against the Chicago Cubs at SBC Park from September 8-11:

September 8 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he singled to left.

In the third, he popped to short,

In the fifth, he walked.

In the eighth, he flied to center. Final score: Cubs 5, Giants 3,

Final stats: 1-3. walk.

Season so far: .299 batting average (44-147). seven home runs, twenty-three runs batted in.

Bonds sat out the rest of the series due to pain and inflammation in his biceps. The Giants won 2-1 on September 9, but the Cubs won the next two, 5-2 on September 10 and 3-2 on September 11.

The next game Bonds missed in real life was the Giants' September 17 game against the Dodgers at SBC Park. He sat out in our universe too, and the Giants won 2-1.

The next game he missed was on Thursday, September 22 at RFK Stadium against the Nationals. He missed that one in our universe too, and the Giants were shut out, 2-0.

His next miss in real life came on Thursday, September 29 against the Padres at Petco Park. He sat out in our universe as well, and the Giants were shut out again, 1-0,

In real life, he missed the entire final series against the Diamondbacks at SBC Park, In this universe, he missed the entire series as well. The Snakes won 7-3 on Friday, September 30 and took a 2-1 decision in eleven innings on Saturday, October 1. The Giants took the finale 3-1 on Sunday, October 2,

Next: We begin our look at Bonds' month of June on May 31 in at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where the Giants take on the Phillies.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia from May 31-June 2:

May 31 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second. he grounded to short.

In the fourth, he popped to short.

In the sixth, he bounced into a force play.

In the eighth, he struck out swinging. Final score: Phillies 5, Giants 2.

Final stats: 0-4.

Season so far: 44-151 (.291 batting average), seven home runs, twenty-three runs batted in,

June 1 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he singled to center and eventually scored on pitcher Kirk Rueter's single to center.

In the fourth, he grounded to second.

In the sixth, he singled to left and scored on third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo's triple.

In the seventh, he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Final score: Phillies 10, Giants 6.

Final stats: 2-4, two runs scored.

Season so far: .297 batting average (46-155), seven home runs, twenty-three runs batted in.

June 2 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he grounded into a 5-4-3 double play,

In the fourth, he doubled to left.

In the sixth, he lined out to left.

In the eighth, he bounced into a force play. Final score: Phillies 6, Giants 5,

Final stats: 1-4

Season so far: .303 batting average (47-159), seven home runs, twenty-three runs batted in,

Next: Bonds and the Giants head to Citi Field for a three-game, two-day series against the New York Mets.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Mets at Shea Stadium in New York on June 4-5:

June 4 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he doubled to left.

In the fourth, he hit a 1-1 pitch from Mets pitcher Tom Glavine over the wall in left center field for his eighth home run of the year (career Number 786).

In the sixth, he singled to left.

In the eighth, he singled to center. Final score: Mets 5, Giants 1,

Final stats: 4-4, home run.

Season so far: .321 batting average (51-159), eight home runs, twenty-four RBIs.

Bonds now has 786 career home runs. He's fourteen away from eight hundred and eighty-two behind Sadaharu Oh.

June 5 (Game 1; played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he bounced into a force play.

In the third, he flied to center.

In the sixth, he popped to second.

In the seventh, he flew to right.

In the ninth, he popped to first. Final score: Giants 6, Mets 3,

Final stats: 0-5.

Season so far: .311 batting average (51-164), eight home runs, twenty-four RBIs.

Game 2 (played left field and batted fifth):

In the first, he flew to right.

In the fourth, he singled to left, Shortstop Omar Vizquel scored,

In the seventh, he flew to right,

In the ninth, he grounded to short. Final score: Mets 12, Giants 1.

Final stats: 1-4, RBI

Season so far: .310 batting average (52-168), eight home runs, twenty-five runs batted in,

Next: Bonds and the Giants welcome the Kansas City Royals to SBC Park for a three-game series beginning Tuesday, June 7.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Giants and the Kansas City Royals at SBC Park from June 7-9:

June 7 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he grounded to first.

In the fifth, he grounded to short.

In the eighth, he singled to left. Final score: Royals 8, Giants 1,

Final stats: 1-3.

Season so far: .310 batting average (53-171), eight home runs, twenty-five RBIs.

Bonds sat out the middle game of the series on June 8, The Royals won, 4-1. He returned to the lineup the following day.

June 9 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he bounced into a force play,

In the fourth, he singled to left.

In the fifth, he struck out swinging.

In the sixth, he singled to left.

In the eighth, he was called out on strikes. Final score: Giants 9, Royals 7.

Final stats: 2-5,

Season so far: .313 batting average (55-176). eight home runs, twenty-five runs batted in.

Next: The Cleveland Indians come to SBC Park for a three-game weekend series from June 10-12.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in a three-game series between the Giants and the Cleveland Indians from June 10-12:

June 10 (played left field and batted third):

In the first, he struck out swinging,

In the fourth, he popped to second.

In the sixth, he struck out swinging again.

In the ninth, he grounded to short. Final score: Indians 10, Giants 2.

Final stats: 0-4.

Season so far: .306 batting average (55-180), eight home runs, twenty-five RBIs.

Bonds sat out the middle game of the series on Saturday, June 11. The Indians prevailed, 7-6. He returned to the lineup on Sunday, June 12.

June 12 (played left field and batted seventh):

In the second, he bounced into a force play,

In the fifth, he struck out swinging.

In the seventh, he grounded to third.

In the ninth, he flied to center. Final score: Indians 5, Giants 3,

Final stats: 0-4

Season so far: .299 batting average (55-184), eight home runs, twenty-five runs batted in.

Bonds and the Giants hit the road after this game for a six-game interleague road trip to Minnesota and Detroit, Bonds didn't make the trip to Minneapolis, as his knees were so painful that even jogging to first base on The Metrodome's artificial turf would have been too much for him to take. The Giants lost 4-3 in eleven innings on June 14, but rebounded to win 8-4 on June 15 and 14-7 on June 16.

Bonds flew to Detroit to join his teammates for their series against the Tigers on June 17, but his plane was late taking off from San Francisco, and he arrived at the ballpark too late to play. The Giants won anyway, 4-0, Bonds finally returned to the lineup on Saturday, June 18.

Next: The last two games of the Giants' series in Detroit.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the final two games of the Giants' series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on June 18-19:

June 18 (designated hitter, batted sixth):

In the first, he singled to right. First baseman J.T. Snow scored,

In the third, he grounded back to the mound,

In the fifth, he was retired on a 1-4-3 grounder.

In the eighth, he walked.

Final stats: 1-3, RBI

Season so far: .299 batting average (56-187), eight home runs, twenty-six RBIs.

Bonds sat out the final game of the series on Sunday, June 19. The Tigers won 10-8 in ten innings.

Next: The Giants return to SBC Park on Monday, Juhe 20 to open a four-game series against the Diamondbacks.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' four-game series against the Diamondbacks at SBC Park from June 20-23:

June 20 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he bounced into a force play.

In the third, he singled to left. Shortstop Omar Vizquel scored.

In the fifth, he struck out swinging.

In the seventh, he flew to right.

In the eighth, he flew to center. Final score: Giants 8, Diamondbacks 3.

Final stats: 1-5, RBI

Seasom so far: .297 batting average (57-192), eight home runs, twenty-seven RBIs.

Bonds sat out of the second game of the series on Tuesday, June 21. The Diamondbacks won, 6-4. Bonds returned to the lineup on Wednesday, June 22.

June 22 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he singled to center and eventually scored on a bunt single by center fielder Jason Ellison.

In the fourth, he walked.

In the sixth, he singled to center.

In the seventh, he singled to left. Vizquel scored. Final score: Giants 4, Diamondbacks 0,

Final stats: 3-3, walk, run scored, RBI.

Season so far: .308 batting average (60-195), eight home runs, twenty-eight runs batted in.

June 23 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he popped to first.

In the fourth, he grounded to second.

In the seventh, he singled to left and eventually scored on center fielder Jason Ellison's single to right.

In the ninth, he walked,

Final stats: 1-3, walk, run scored.

Season so far: .308 batting average (61-198), eight home runs, twenty-eight runs batted in.

The Giants began a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday, June 24 at Oakland's McAfee Coliseum. Bonds was out of the lineup, and the A's prevailed, 4-3. He returned for the second game of the series on Saturday, June 25,

Next: The final two games of the Giants' series with the A's.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the final two games of the Giants' series with the A's at the McAfee Coliseum in Oakland on June 25-26:

June 25 (designated hitter, batted fourth)

In the second, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he doubled to center.

In the seventh, he singled to left and scored on left fielder Todd Linden's double to right,

In the ninth, he hit the first pitch he saw from A's pitcher Dan Haren into the right field upper deck for his ninth home run of the year and career home run Number 787. Final score: A's 6, Giants 3,

Final stats: 3-4, home run, two runs scored.

Season so far: .317 batting average (64-202), nine home runs, twenty-nine runs batted in.

Bonds now has 787 career home runs. He's thirteen away from eight hundred and eighty-one behind Oh,

June 26 (played left field, batted fourth)

In the second, he grounded back to the mound.

In the fourth, he lined to third.

In the seventh, he flew to right, Final score: A's 16, Giants 0.

Note: Bonds left the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Final stats: 0-3,

Season so far: ;312 batting average (64-205), nine home runs. twenty-nine runs batted in.

Next: The Giants close out June with a three-game series against the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark from June 28-30.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' three-game series with the Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark from June 28-30:

June 28 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the first, he singled to center. Shortstop Omar Vizquel and first baseman Lance Niekro scored.

In the fourth, he again singled to center and eventually scored when right fielder Todd Linden grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

In the fifth, he grounded to short.

In the eighth, he popped to first,

In the ninth, his sacrifice fly to right scored Vizquel. Final score: Giants 11, Diamondbacks 3.

Final stats: 2-4 plus sac fly, run scored, three RBIs.

Season so far: .316 batting average (66-209), nine home runs, thirty-two runs batted in.

Bonds sat out of the second game of the series on Saturday, June 29. The Giants won anyway, 4-2, Bonds returned to the lineup on Thursday, June 30,

June 30 (played left field and batted fourth):

In the second, he singled to left and eventually scored on Niekro's three-run homer.

In the third, he grounded to third.

In the fourth, he flied to center.

In the seventh, he struck out swinging. Final score: Giants 9, Diamondbacks 2.

Final stats: 1-4, run scored,

Season so far: .315 batting average (67-213), nine home runs, thirty-two runs batted in.

The Giants moved on to San Diego for a three-game series against the Padres at Petco Park on July 1,, but Bonds returned to San Francisco for a scheduled checkup on both of his knees, The Giants won without him, 3-2, He was also out of the lineup on July 2 due to a stiff neck he suffered on the plane ride to San Diego. The Giants lost that game, 5-3. He returned to the lineup for the series finale on Sunday, July 3.

Next: The Giants face the Padres on July 3.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Here's how Bonds fared against the Padres on July 3 at Petco Park, He batted fourth and played left field.

In the first, he walked,

In the fourth, he doubled to left.

In the fifth, he bounced into a force play.

In the seventh. he struck out swinging.

In the ninth, he struck out swinging again. Final score: Padres 9, Giants 6.

Final stats: 1-4, walk.

Season so far: ,313 batting average (68-217), nine home runs, thirty-two runs batted in.

Bonds' knees prevented him from playing in the first three games of the Giants' next series, which was at SBC Park against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds won an 11-10 slugfest on the Fourth of July, then took a 7-4 decision on July 5. The Giants won 7-2 on July 6, Bonds returned to the lineup for the series finale on July 7,

Next: The Giants battle the Reds on July 7.

Thoughts?