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Professional baseball

Barry Bonds' Visit to Philadelphia Sparks Controversy and Crankiness

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Barry Bonds made his much-anticipated visit to Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, but the massive turnout was not to celebrate the slugger's accomplishment, but rather to protest his alleged steroid use and tainted record. Barry Bonds is just two home runs shy of tying Babe Ruth's career mark of 714, which would put him just 41 homers behind Hank Aaron's major-league record of 755. Fans filled the stadium with anti-Bonds signs, booed and jeered him throughout the game, and chanted for him to retire.

Key Takeaways:

  • The visit was met with massive turnout of fans protesting Barry Bonds' alleged steroid use and tainted record.
  • Barry Bonds is just two home runs shy of tying Babe Ruth's career mark of 714 and 41 home runs behind Hank Aaron's major-league record of 755.
  • Fans showed up with anti-Bonds signs and booed and jeered him throughout the game.
  • The Phillies made it clear that as long as signs were baseball related and not vulgar, they would be allowed inside the ballpark.
  • Barry Bonds did not talk to reporters before the game but has hit-or-miss interactions with the media.
  • Bonds reportedly said the dimensions at Citizens Bank Park are "sooooo unfair" and he's not worried about Phillies fans.

Statistics:

  • 2 home runs shy of tying Babe Ruth's career mark of 714
  • 41 home runs behind Hank Aaron's major-league record of 755
  • 13 home runs hit by Barry Bonds during batting practice in Philadelphia
  • 1 home run smacked off the gigantic Bud Light sign
  • 1 intentional walk by Phillies righthander Gavin Floyd to Barry Bonds in the third inning
  • 1 imperfect game by Barry Bonds in the top of the first inning (flying out to shallow center field)
  • Contributions from Phil Schaffer (18, Ocean City, N.J.) and Mike Azzalina (19, Easton, Pa.) in their anti-Bonds costume demonstration.

Sources:

  • The Philadelphia Inquirer, Claire Smith
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services
  • KRT Photo Service
  • Philly.com (The Philadelphia Inquirer's World Wide Web site)

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