King of the World: Barry Bonds Chases Sadaharu Oh

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Garrett Garlits

I've become a fan of the World Baseball Classic through YouTube (there are too many late-night starts for me to watch in real time) and the announcers naturally give a lot of respect to Sadaharu Oh for his all-time record of 868 home runs, MLB's current home run leader, through fair means or foul, is Barry Bonds with 762,. The purpose of this thread is simple: to see if Bonds could have caught Oh had he played more games during his career, and if so how many it could have taken,

Keep a few things in mind as we go along:

1. I am in no way endorsing Bonds' use of steroids or his general behavior, which has been disgraceful from the time he entered baseball right up to now. There's no athlete I dislike more for his actions unless we're talking convicted felons, which is a whole other kettle of fish. Still, unless and until baseball throws out his stats, he's the official standard for home run hitters, which makes him the logical subject of a thread like this,

2. I'm not extending Bonds' career past 2007. Rather. I'm going to resim games that he didn't play with him in the lineup. The only exception to this is 2005, , Bonds isn't on the WhatIf simulator for that year to a major knee injury that limited him to fourteen games.

3, Even though this project doesn't necessarily rake place in the Pythagorean Universe, I'm going to include stats from my 1994 and '95 Pythagorean threads in order to give Bonds a full season of stats,

4, All home run numbers are cumulative. This means that we'll start with 763, not 1,

First up: The homers hit by Bonds in the 1994 Pythagorean Makeup Thread,

Thoughts?
 
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Garrett Garlits

Now for the homers hit by Bonds in the 1994 Pythagorean Makeup Thread:

763: August 12 at San Diego, solo homer in the first.

764: Same game as above, solo homer in the third.

765: August 19 vs. Pirates at Candlestick Park, solo homer in the first.

766: August 24 at St.. Louis in the first.

767: August 30 vs. Cardinals at Candlestick Park, solo homer in the fourth.

768: September 6 at Florida.

769: September 8 at Atlanta.

770: September 11 at Atlanta.

771: September 12 at San Diego.

772: September 16 vs. Astros at Candlestick Park, walkoff homer in the fourteenth off of Dave Veres.

773: September 23 at Cincinnati.

774: September 26 at Cincinnati.

775: Same as above.

776: October 2 at Los Angeles, solo homer in the fourth.

Next: Our data dump from the 1995 Pythagorean Makeup thread.

Thoughts?
 
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Garrett Garlits

Here are the homers hit by Bonds in the 1995 Pythagorean Makeup Thread:

777: April 8 at Miami. solo homer in the eighth.

778: April 19 in Atlanta.

779: October 2 in Pittsburgh (Game 2), solo shot in fourth.

Next: To be determined,

Thoughts?
 
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  • Index

    • Garrett Garlits

    Now we begin the resims, Chronological order isn't as important as giving Bonds a chance to hit as many home runs as possible, so we'll start with the year in which he played the fewest games at 102: 1999,

    The first game that Bonds didn't play in that year came on April 18 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix. Without Bonds, the Giants were soundly beaten 12-3. In the sim, he'll be playing left field and batting second, which is where his replacement Stan Javier batted in real life. Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants against the Snakes' Armando Reynoso,

    The fireworks began in the very first inning. After center fielder Marvin Benard lined a leadoff double into the right field corner, Bonds smacked a 1-2 pitch from Reynoso over the wall in center for homer Number 780 and a 2-0 Frisco lead. Right fielder Ellis Burks made it back-to-back with a tape-measure homer over the wall in left center to make it 3-0. After two out, third baseman Charlie Hayes doubled into the left field corner and scored on catcher Brent Mayne's double into the left center power alley.

    Bonds made it two for two after two out in the second with a bloop single to right, but was stranded at first when Burks grounded to Tony Batista at second.

    The Giants extended their lead to 5-0 in the third when Hayes' RBI single cashed in second baseman Jeff Kent, who had doubled down the left field line,

    The visitors made it a laugher with four more runs in the fourth. Bonds stroked a seeing-eye single to right center for his third hit of the day. Back-to-back walks to Burks and Kent loaded the bases, and first baseman J.T. Snow's double off the wall in right cleared the bases and extended the Giants' lead to 8-0. Greg Swindell relieved Reynoso and got the first two outs of the inning by striking out Hayes swinging and retiring Mayne on a shallow fly to right, but shortstop Rich Aurilia lined a single to right center that brought Snow home with the Giants' ninth run,

    The D-Backs began what would be a spirited comeback in the bottom of the fourth when right fielder David Dellucci's single to right scored former Giant Matt Williams, who had led off with a bloop double to left center and moved to third on left fielder Luis Gonzalez's single to left.

    Bonds struck again in the top of the fifth when he got all of Swindell's one-one fastball and parked in the right field upper deck for home run Number 781 to increase the Giants' lead to 10-1.

    The Snakes scored twice more in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, second baseman Jay Bell singled to left. He moved to second with two out on a wild pitch by Ortiz, Walks to Williams and Gonzalez loaded the bases, and Batista stroked a two-run single that scored Bell and Williams to make it 10-3.

    The home squad scored three more times in the bottom of the sixth. Catcher Damian Miller doubled over Benard's head in center, Tony Womack batted for Swindell and singled to right to put runners at the corners. After Finley struck out swinging, Bell's fly ball down the left field line chased Bonds almost into the corner before he made the catch. Miller easily scored Arizona's fourth run. Back-to-back walks to first baseman Travis Lee and Williams loaded the bases, and Gonzalez's single up the middle scored Durazo and Lee to cut the Giants' lead to 10-6.

    Bonds batted for the fifth time in the top of the seventh and was finally retired on a grounder to third.

    The Snakes scored another run in the last of the seventh. Miller singled to right center with one out, Greg Colbrunn batted for reliever Bobby Chouinard and singled to left center to put runners at the corners, and Finley's double to right brought Miller home to make it 10-7.

    The Giants finally got a run back in the top of the eighth when Hayes hit a 2-0 hanging curveball from reliever John Frascatore over the left center field wall to give them an 11-7 lead,

    The D-Backs scored one last run in the bottom of the eighth. Williams lined a leadoff single to right but was forced by Gonzalez. After Batista's fly to deep right center was caught by Benard for the second out, Andy Fox (batting for Frascatore) singled to right to put runners at the corners, and Miller's single to left scored Gonzalez to bring the Snakes to within 11-8.

    Bonds had a final at-bat in the top of the ninth; he flew to Womack in right, The D-Backs sent Williams to the plate with runners at the corners and one out, but Giants closer Robbie Nen got him to ground into a 6-4-3 game-ending double play. Final score: Giants 11, D-Backs 8.

    Bonds was the Player of the Game; he finished four for six with two home runs, three runs scored, and three runs batted in. That gives him thirty-six homers and eighty-six RBIs for the season so far, and 781 homers for his career. He is now nineteen homers away from eight hundred and eighty-seven behind Oh. (Note: I decided not to assign Bonds any homers hit by others in real life, so he has nineteen fewer homers than he did in my last post.) He has ninety-seven hits in 361 at-bats for a batting average of .269.

    Final totals: Giants 11-16-0, Diamondbacks 8-17-0.

    W- Ortiz (19-8)
    S- Nen (38)
    L-Reynoso (9-7)

    HR- SF: Bonds 2 (36), Burks (32), Hayes (7)

    LHR (Lost Home Runs)- SF: Aurilia (21)
    ARZ: Gonzalez (25), Gilkey (7)

    Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

    Diamondbacks: 99-63
    Giants: 87-75- 12 GB
    Los Angeles Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
    San Diego Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
    Colorado Rockies: 72-90- 27 GB

    Next: To be determined.

    Thoughts?
     
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  • Index

    • Garrett Garlits

    The next game Bonds sat out was the following night, when the Giants opened a series against the Florida Marlins at 3Com Park. He sat out in our universe as well, and the Giants won 5-4 as they did in real life, Catcher Scott Servais doubled home Aurillia with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth.

    Bonds wasn't in the lineup on April 20 either, and the Marlins used four RBIs from first baseman Derrek Lee, including a three-run homer in the eighth. to claim a 7-2 win,

    It was three in a row without Barry on April 21, as his chronically sore knees continued to give him problems, But rookie starter Joe Nathan, later to become one of the game's best closers, made his major league debut and combined with Nen and setup man John Johnstone on a 4-0 shutout of the Marlins, Nathan held the Fish to four hits over seven innings. and right fielder Armando Rios provided all the offense he would need with a first-inning home run,

    Bonds returned to the lineup on Thursday, April 22 when the Giants hosted the Colorado Rockies. We'll sim that game next time.

    Thoughts?
     

    Garrett Garlits

    Now let's see how the Giants fared against the Rockies on April 22. (In real life, they lost 8-5.) Brian Bohanon pitches for the Rox, while Kirk Rueter takes the hill for the Giants. Bonds is batting fifth, which is where his replacement Stan Javier batted in real life:

    The Giants opened the scoring in the bottom of the first. Second baseman Jeff Kent lined a two-out double into the right-center power alley and scored on a lined single to left by Ellis Burks. Bonds took a called third strike to end the inning.

    The Rockies tied the game in the top of the second. Third baseman Vinny Castilla grounded a leadoff single up the middle, moved to second on first baseman Todd Helton's grounder to counterpart J.T. Snow, and scored on second baseman Mike Lansing's double off the wall in left center.

    The Giants took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the second. Third baseman Ramon Martinez led off with a single to right; Catcher Brent Mayne followed with a double into the left field corner to score Martinez and put the Giants in front 2-1. Rueter helped his own cause with a single to right that put runners at the corners, and Marvin Benard's double off the wall in left scored Mayne to make it 3-1. After Rich Aurilia grounded to Lansing at second for out number two, Kent dumped a base hit into center that brought home Rueter and Benard to increase the Frisco lead to 5-1.

    The Giants scored another run in the bottom of the third, Bonds and Snow drew back-to-back walks to start. Martinez forced Snow, with Bonds moving to third. Mayne scorched a double off the wall in center to score Bonds with the sixth Frisco run,

    The Rockies got back on the board in the fourth when Lansing lined Rueter's one-two pitch into the seats in right center for a solo homer to cut the Giants' lead to 6-2.

    Bonds drew another leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth, but was erased when Snow grounded into a 3-6-3 double play,

    The Giants broke the game open with a three-run sixth. Mayne led off with a double to center. After two out, Aurilia's bloop fell in shallow right center for a base hit. Mayne scored, and the Giants led 7-2. New pitcher Jerry DiPoto gave up back-to-back singles to Kent and Burks that loaded the bases, then walked Bonds to force in Aurilia and Snow to bring home Kent.

    The Rockies got a run back in the top of the seventh. Lansing led off with a single to left center. Catcher Kirt Mainwaring followed with another that moved Lansing to third. Kurt Abbott batted for DiPoto and made it three straight singles with his base hit to left that scored Lansing with the third Colorado run.

    The Giants unloaded on the Colorado bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, scoring nine runs. Aurilia led off with a single to left center. Kent singled to left to put two men on, and a walk to Burks loaded the bases. Pitcher Roberto Ramirez then walked Bonds to force Aurilia home. Snow's base hit to right center scored Kent and Burks to make it 12-3 and move Bonds to third. After pinch hitter F.P. Santangelo (batting for Martinez) hit a line drive to third for the first out, Mayne walked to reload the bases. Armando Rios then batted for reliever Alan Embree and singled Bonds home to make it 13-3.

    I lost the sim at that point (my third attempt at this game, by the way) but Bonds didn't bat anymore, He finished with one official at-bat, no hits, and four walks. The Giants scored the rest of their runs in the inning off of position player Terry Shunpert, who hit a solo homer in the top of the ninth to close out the scoring, Our final: Giants 18, Rockies 4.

    W- Rueter (16-9)
    L- Bohanon (11-13)

    LS (Lost Save)- COL: Veres (30)

    Recorded HR- COL: Shumpert (11), Lansing I5)

    LHR- COL: Bichette (33)

    As for Bonds, he now has ninety-seven hits in 362 at-bats for an average of .268 with thirty-six homers and eighty-six RBIs. His four walks today give him seventy-seven for the year, and he struck out in his only official at-bat, which gives him sixty-four for the year.

    Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

    Diamondbacks: 99-63
    Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
    Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
    Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
    Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

    Next: Game 2 of this four-game set will take place tomorrow night at 3Com Park, Darryl Kile will start for the Rockies, while Russ Ortiz ge4e the call for the Giants

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for the April 23 game between the Rockies and the Giants. In real life, the Bonds-less Giants prevailed 7-2. Can Barry lead them to a similar victory? He'll be in left field and batting sixth, where his replacement Stan Javier batted in the actual game,

    The only run scored in this pitcher's duel came in the bottom of the second, when J.T. Snow led off with a fly ball down the line in right that just cleared the fence for a home run,

    As for Bonds, he followed Snow to the plate in the second and struck out swinging. In the fourth, his comebacker to Kile ended the inning. In the seventh, he grounded to short.

    Ortiz and Robbie Nen combined on a three-hit shutout. On the other side, Kile went all the way, finishing with a two-hitter. The only other Frisco hit was Ellis Burks' two-out bloop double in the first,

    Final totals: Giants 1-2-0, Rockies 0-3-0.

    Pitchers' records remain the same.

    S- Nen (39)

    HR- SF: Snow (25)

    LHR- COL: Helton (34), Lansing (4)

    Bonds was hitless in three at-bats with a strikeout, which gives him ninety-seven hits in 365 at-bats for an average of .266 with thirty-six home runs and eighty-six runs batted in, He's now struck out sixty-four times this season.

    The next afternoon, Bonds was absent from the lineup as the Giants made it three in a row over the Rox with an 8-4 win, Charlie Hayes broke the game open with a two-run triple in the fifth, and Marvin Benard had two hits and drove in two runs, At this point in the year, the Giants were 14-5 and held a three and a half game lead over the Diamondbacks in the National League West.

    Bonds returned to the lineup for the series finale against the Rockies on Sunday, April 25, Jamey Wright will start for the Rockies, while Chris Brock takes the ball for the Giants.

    Next: Game 4 between the Rockies and the Giants.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now let's see how the Giants fared against the Rockies on April 25. Bonds will be in left field and batting seventh, which is where his replacement Armando Rios hit in real life, The Giants won the actual game 7-6.

    First of all, we had a homer from Bonds in this game. The Giants were leading 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh. J.T. Snow and Charlie Hayes worked back-to-back walks with two out against starter Jamey Wright, and Rockies manager Jim Leyland brought Mike DeJean in from the bullpen to face Bonds, who took a strike, then smacked De Jean's second pitch over the wall in right center field for his thirty-seventh homer of the year and Number 782 overall,

    Two of Bonds' three other at-bats came in scoring innings for the Giants. They tied the game at one in the bottom of the first when Marvin Benard walked, stole second, and scored on shortstop Ramon Martinez's single to right, Bonds came up with the bases loaded and two out and flew to right center to retire the side.

    In the bottom of the third, the Giants took a 3-2 lead with two runs. Ellis Burks stroked a leadoff double to right center and scored on Jeff Kent's double to left to tie the game at two, Kent moved to third on Snow's bouncer to second. and Hayes popped to Neifi Perez at short for out number two, Leyland ordered an intentional walk to Bonds, but catcher Scott Servais lined a base hit to right that scored Kent and gave the Giants the lead.

    Bonds' other plate appearance came in the bottom of the fifth with Hayes at first; he popped to Perez at short to end the inning.

    The Rockies scored their first run in the top of the first against Giants starter Chris Brock. Center fielder Darryl Hamilton led off the game with a single up the middle, moved to third on Perez's single to right center, and scored when right fielder Larry Walker bounced into a fielder's choice.

    The Rox took a 2-1 lead when first baseman Todd Helton led off with a home run into the seats in right center field that traveled an estimated 383 feet, Right center field at 3Com Park is 362 feet from home plate,

    Bonds was named Player of the Game due to his three-run homer.

    Final totals: Giants 6-8-0, Rockies 2-7-0.

    W- Brock (7-8)
    L- Wright (4-4)

    HR- COL: Helton (35)
    SF: Bonds (37)

    DW (Disallowed Win)- Embree (2-2)
    DS (Disallowed Save)- Nen (38)
    DL (Disallowed Loss)- DeJean (2-3)

    LHR- COL: Echevarria (10), Hamilton (8), Lansing (3)
    SF: Burks (31), Rios (6)

    iBonds was one for three plus a walk, He now has ninety-eight hits in 368 at-bats for an average of .266 with thirty-seven home runs and eighty-nine runs batted in. He is now tied for tenth with Walker in the National League home run race. He now has seventy-eight walks.

    For his career, Bonds now has 782 home runs, He's eighteen homers away from eight hundred and eighty-six homers behind Oh,

    The teams' records remain the same.

    On April 27, the Giants began a nine-game eastern road trip to Montreal, New York, and Pittsburgh. Giants manager Dusty Baker held Bonds out of the series opener on the artificial turf at Olympic Stadium to rest his knees, but the Giants still prevailed 3-2 in ten innings, They scored twice in the first on a throwing error by Expos catcher Chris Widger and a sacrifice fly, and the winning run in the top of the tenth on a wild pitch by Expos closer Ugueth Urbina, Stan Javier filled in for Bonds in left field and went two for five with two runs scored.

    Bonds was in the starting lineup the following night, but was scratched after getting sick just before the first pitch. The Giants took the lead for good on singles by Hayes and Snow in the fourth, then hung on through a Montreal rally in the bottom of the ninth to prevail 4-3. Hayes drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and Joe Nathan held the Expos to two runs on seven hits through eight innings,

    Bonds recovered from his brief illness and returned to action on April 29 for the series finale against the Spos. Russ Ortiz will start for the Giants, while Catl Pavano goes to the hill for Montreal.

    Next: Game 3 between the Giants and the Expos,

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    I deleted the post where I posted Bonds' updated stats for the Giants' franchise. It's more record keeping than I feel like doing, to be honest.

    I intended to keep stats on areas where Bonds was in the yearly top ten, and I still do; he just made his first top ten of 1999 with his thirty-seventh homer.

    Some of you may be wondering how I decide which games Bonds will sit out. It's simple; if I can't reproduce the entire starting lineup of both teams (including pitchers) using WhatIf Sports, I don't sim the game. That works to my advantage in Bonds' case; there's no believable universe where a man whose knees were as bad as his were late in his career would play 162 games.

    More coming soon!
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for the April 29 matchup between the Giants and the Expos at Olympic Stadium. Bonds will be in left field and batting sixth. In real life, the Giants prevailed 6-5.

    The visitors scored twice in the top of the first without getting a hit. Marvin Benard led off with a fly ball to right that was juggled and dropped by Expos right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, Third baseman F.P. Santangelo walked to put two men on. After right fielder Armando Rios took a called third strike for out number one, Kent walked to load the bases. J.T. Snow grounded to his counterpart Brad Fullmer at first, but Fullmer throw to the plate was a hair late, and Benard slid safely under the tag to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Bonds was next, and his sacrifice fly brought Santangelo home to make it 2-0.

    The G-Men added three more runs in the second. Manny Martinez led off with a single to left. Starting pitcher Russ Ortiz singled up the middle to put two men on,. After Benard flew to Vladimir in shallow right for out number one, Santangelo walked to load the bases. Rios then walked on four pitches to force in Martinez and make it 3-,0, After Kent flew to Rondell White in shallow left for the second out. Snow lined a base hit to right that brought Ortiz and Santangelo home to make it 5-0. Bonds was next with Rios at third and Snow at first, but his bouncer to third ended the inning.

    The Giants added four more runs in the fourth. Santangelo drew a leadoff walk against new Expos pitcher Steve Kline. Rios' double off the wall in right brought him home to make it 6-0 Frisco. Kent's sizzling liner was gloved by Expos shortstop Mike Mordecai for out number one, but Snow's base hit scored Rios with run number seven Our subject was up next, and he hit what looked like a routine double-play ball, Wilton made the stop at second, but his flip to Mordecai went awry. Feeling a tad spry, Bonds turned on what was left of his afterburners and chugged into second, with Snow stopping at third. Both men scored when Brent Mayne followed with a double to center.

    I had a lot more information about this game, but I lost it before it could be saved, Bonds was pulled after batting once in the sixth; he grounded to short, The Giants scored five runs in the inning, and Stan Javier replaced Bonds, The Giants added three runs in the seventh and five runs in the eighth, including a grand slam by Benard. Ortiz and reliever Jerry Spradlin combined on a five-hit shutout. Final score: Giants 22, Expos 0.

    Final totals: Giants 22-21-2, Expos -0-5-2.

    Pitchers' records remain the same,

    HR- SF: Benard (17)

    DS- Nen (37)

    Bonds finished hitless in three official at-bats with an RBI gained on a sacrifice fly. He now has ninety-eight hits in 371 at-bats for an average of .264 with thirty-seven homers and ninety runs batted in.

    The following night, Bonds was rested while his teammates took on the Mets at Shea Stadium and were beaten 7-2. Third baseman Robin Ventura had three hits and drove in three runs for New York, while Giants starter Shawn Estes gave up five runs on eight hits in five innings. Even with the loss, the Giants finished April with the best record in baseball at 18-6 and a four and a half game lead over the Dodgers in the National League West.

    Bonds was back in the lineup for Game 2 against the Mets on Saturday, May 1. Chris Brock will go to the hill for the G-Men, to be opposed by the Mets' Orel Hershiser,

    Next: Game 2 between the Giants and the Mets,

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for the game between the Giants and the Mets on Saturday, May 1. Bonds will bs batting second in left field, as his replacement Stan Javier did in the actual game.

    In the top of the first, Bonds struck out swinging against Mets starter Orel Hershiser.

    In the top of the third, Bonds batted with two out and a runner at second after shortstop Rich Aurilia singled and starting pitcher Chris Brock bunted him over to second, Bonds lifted Hershiser's first pitch into shallow right center, where it was caught by center fielder Brian McRae to end the inning,

    In the top of the sixth, Bonds walked with two out, but Ellis Burks grounded to short to end the inning.

    In the top of the eighth, Bonds walked with one out, but Burks' liner was gloved by Mets third baseman Robin Ventura and Jeff Kent forced Bonds to retire the side.

    Bonds finished hitless in two official at-bats and walked twice. He now has eighty walks for the year. He struck out once. which raises his total for the year to sixty-five. He has ninety-eight hits in 373 official at-bats for an average of .263 with thirty-seven homers and ninety runs batted in.

    Now let's get to the game action:

    The Mets scored first in the bottom of the third. Right fielder Roger Cedeno led off with a double down the left field line and scored on second baseman Edgardo Alfonso's single to left.

    The home squad added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Hershiser lined a leadoff double into the right field corner. After Cedeno grounded to short. Alfonzo smacked Brock's two-ball pitch over the wall in left to increase the Mets' lead to 3-0, (Note: Alfonzo also homered in the real game.)

    The Mets added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two out, catcher Todd Pratt doubled off the wall in left center. Shortstop Luis Lopez followed with a two-run homer into the left field seats, his third of the year, to increase the New York lead to 5-0.

    The Giants scored their only run of the day in the top of the seventh. Jeff Kent led off with a double into the left center power alley, moved to third on a wild pitch by Hershiser, and scored on J.T. Snow's single.

    I lost the sim before I could get the totals.

    Pitchers' records remain the same. I don't think that there was a save, but I can't be sure.

    HR- NYM: Alfonzo (27), Lopez (3)

    LHR- NYM: McRae (11)

    Alfonzo was named Player of the Game; he hit a home run and drove in three runs,

    In real life, the Mets also prevailed 9-4. They took the lead in the bottom of the third on a single by Ventura and blew the game open on McRae's grand slam in the seventh. Aurilia drove in two runs in a losing cause for the Giants.

    Bonds was back on the bench for the series finale against the Mets on May 2. The Mets scored twice in the bottom of the eighth on an infield error and a single by first baseman John Olerud to provide the game's only runs, and the Giants were shut out on seven hits by pitchers Masato Yoshii, Dennis Cook, and John Franco.

    Next was Bonds' first visit to Pittsburgh for the season. Pirates fans were denied a chance to boo their favorite villain on Monday, May 3 when Bonds was held out of the lineup to protect his knees, They had to content themselves with a four-run Bucco comeback in the bottom of the ninth and a 9-8 win. Center fielder Brant Brown singled in the winning run off of Robbie Nen, Left fielder Brian Giles was the offensive star for the home squad, hitting two home runs and driving in five runs, while Kent hit for the cycle in a losing cause and finished five for five, including a three-run homer, a run-scoring single, and an RBI triple.

    Bonds missed his third game in a row on May 4, but the Giants didn't let this one get away, defeating the Pirates 7-4. Starting pitcher Russ Ortiz knocked in the go-ahead run with a single in the fourth, and Burks and Aurilia each had three hits and drove in a pair of runs. First baseman Kevin Young was three for four with a home run and three RBIs for the Bucs.

    Bonds returned to the lineup on Wednesday, May 5 for the finale against the Pirates. Shawn Estes will start for the Giants, while Pete Schourek takes the hill for the Bucs.

    Next: Game 3 between the Giants and the Pirates.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for the third game of the series between the Giants and the Pirates from Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, May 5. In real life, the Bucs prevailed 4-3 in twelve innings thanks to a single by third baseman Ed Sprague. Will Barry's presence help to turn the tide? He'll be batting fifth and playing left field, as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life:

    The Giants scored twice in the top of the first against Pirates starting pitcher Pete Schourek. F.P. Santangelo, starting in center field, drew a one-out walk, After Charlie Hayes flew to the warning track in center for the second out, Jeff Kent and Bonds drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Rich Aurilia was next, and his base hit to left center scored Santangelo and Kent to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. Bonds moved to third on the hit, but was stranded when J.T. Snow grounded to Pat Meares at short to end the inning.

    After losing the lead in the bottom of the first (more on that shortly), the Giants reclaimed it in the top of the second. With one out, starting pitcher Shawn Estes lined a single to left, Marvin Benard, starting in right field tonight, also singled to left to put two men on. After Santangelo struck out swinging for out number two, Hayes doubled over Adrian Brown's head in center to score both Estes and Benard and put the visitors back in front 4-3. Kent walked to put two men back on, but Bonds' fly to right center was caught by Brown to retire the side,

    Bonds came up for the third time with two on and two out in the fourth against reliever Jeff Wallace and grounded to first to end the inning.

    His fourth at-bat of the night came against an exhausted Wallace with one out in the top of the seventh and the G-Men trailing 6-4. He took a ball, then swatted Wallace's second pitch high over the left field wall for his thirty-eighth home run of the year and Number 783 for his career. The Giants now trailed 6-5.

    After tying the game in the eighth (more on that shortly), the visitors took the lead for good in the top of the ninth against new Pirates pitcher Marc Wilkins, Kent led off with a single to left. After Bonds' fly ball was caught in shallow left center for out number one, Aurilia slapped a base hit to right center. Kent was barely safe at third, but the Giants still had runners at the corners for Snow, who lined Wilkins' 1-1 curveball into the seats in left center field for what turned out to be a game-winning three-run homer, his twenty-sixth of the year.

    Bonds finished one for four plus a walk, He's now batting .263 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-one runs batted in, and has walked eighty-one times. He's tied with the Diamondbacks' Jay Bell for ninth place on the National League home run list. For his career, he's now seventeen homers shy of eight hundred and eighty-five behind Oh.

    Now for the rest of the game action:

    The Buccos took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the first. Meares singled to left with one out. Right fielder Turner Ward singled to put two men on, and a walk to Kevin Young loaded the bases. Catcher Jason Kendall's bloop fell in shallow left center for a base hit that scored Meares and Ward to tie the game at two. Young moved to third on Kendall's hit and scored on Sprague's single to left, putting the Bucs in front 3-2.

    The home squad retied the game in the bottom of the third. Estes began the inning by hitting Meares in the knee with a pitch. Meares was forced by Ward, but Young lined a single up the middle to put runners at the corners. Kendall's fly to left center was caught by Santangelo, whose throw to the plate was in time. Ward managed to safely slide around it, and we were tied at four.

    The Bucs took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when left fielder Freddy Garcia smacked Estes' first pitch into the left field upper deck for a leadoff home run, his eighth of the year,

    The Pirates added a run in the bottom of the sixth. Meares walked with one out. Ward's fly to right was caught at the wall by Benard for the second out. Young walked to put two men on, and Kendall lined a base hit to left center to score Meares and make it 6-4.

    The Giants tied the game with one out in the top of the eighth when pinch hitter Ellis Burks, batting for reliever John Johnstone, lined a 2-1 curveball from Pirates reliever Scott Sauerbeck over the left field wall. It was Burks' thirty-second home run of the year.

    The Pirates scored the game's final run in the bottom of the ninth. Kendall led off with a double off the wall in left center. but Giants closer Robbie Nen caught Sprague looking and struck out pinch hitter Brant Brown (batting for Garcia) swinging, Warren Morris batted for Benjamin and spanked another double off the wall in left center that scored Kendall and cut the Pittsburgh deficit to 9-7, and manager Gene Lamont decided to play his trump card by sending Brian Giles up to bat for Wilkins. Nen's first pitch was skied into shallow right center, where Santangelo made the catch to end the game.

    Final totals: Giants 9-13-0, Pirates 7-10-0,

    W- R. Rodriguez (4-0)
    S- Nen (38)
    L- Wilkins (2-4)

    HR- SF: Bonds (38), Burks (32), Snow (26)
    PIT: Garcia (8)

    DW- Loiselle (2-2)
    DL- F. Rodriguez (2-2)

    LHR- PIT: Sprague (21)

    Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

    Diamondbacks: 99-63
    Giants: 89-73- 10 GB
    Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
    Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
    Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

    In the National League Central:

    Houston Astros: 97-65
    Cincinnati Reds: 96-66- 1 GB
    Pirates: 77-84- 19.5 GB
    St. Louis Cardinals: 75-86- 20.5 GB
    Milwaukee Brewers: 74-87- 22.5 GB
    Chicago Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

    Note: I've removed the Reds' playoff loss from their record until I know whether it's needed or not at the end of the season,

    In real time, the Giants had the best record in baseball at 20-9 with a three-and-a-half game lead over the Dodgers in the NL West.

    On May 6, while the Giants were flying home to begin their next homestand, it was revealed that Bonds was attempting to play through not just a sore knee, bur a groin injury of undisclosed severity, bone spurs in his left elbow, and a left biceps injury that was later found to be a torn tendon, Despite all of this, Bonds was determined to play as much as he possibly could.

    That didn't include the Giants' series opener against the Brewers on May 7. Kent's two-run homer off of Milwaukee starting pitcher Rafael Roque got the home squad off to a good start in the first, and Hayes gave them the lead for good with a double in the third. Nen shut things down in the ninth, and the Orange and Black escaped with a 4-3 win,

    Bonds returned to the lineup for Game 2 of the Brewers series on Saturday, May 8. Steve Woodard will start for the Brewers, while Kirk Rueter takes the ball for the Giants.

    Next: Game 2 between the Brewers and the Giants.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for Game 2 between the Brewers and the Giants on Saturday, May 8 at 3Com Park. In real life, the Giants won 6-4. Bonds will be in left field and batting second, as his replacement Armando Rios did in real life.

    The Brewers opened the scoring in the top of the first. With one out, shortstop Mark Loretta singled to left center. Third baseman Jeff Cirillo walked to put two men on. After right fielder Jeromy Burnitz flew to Marvin Benard in right center for the second out, first baseman Sean Berry stroked a single to left that scored Loretta and gave the Brewers a 1-0 lead.

    The Giants tied the game in the bottom of the seventh. J.T. Snow led off with a base hit up the middle. Brewers reliever Mike Myers caught Rich Aurilia looking, then struck Charlie Hayes out swinging. That brought catcher Brent Mayne to the plate, and he smacked a double to right that scored Snow to tie the game at one.

    The Brewers scored the winning run in the top of the eighth. Loretta and Cirillo drew back-to-back walks against Giants reliever Rich Rodriguez. Burnitz took a pitch off of his left forearm to load the bases, Johnstone got Berry to bounce into a 6-4-3 double play, but Loretta scored to give the Brew Crew a 2-1 lead. Closer Bob Wickman pitched a perfect ninth to earn the save.

    As for Bonds, in the bottom of the first he grounded to Berry at first.

    In the bottom of the third, he batted with runners at first and third and two out. His fly to right center was caught by Brewers center fielder Marquis Grissom to retire the side.

    In the bottom of the sixth, he led off the inning and struck out swinging.

    In the bottom of the eighth, he led off the inning and struck out swinging again.

    Final totals: Brewers 2-5-0, Giants 1-6-0.

    W- Weathers (8-4)
    S- Wickman (38)
    L- R. Rodriguez (4-1)

    DW- Rueter (15-9)
    DS- Nen (37)
    DL- Woodard (11-7)

    LHR- SF: Burks (31)

    Bonds was hitless in four at-bats with two strikeouts. He now has ninety-nine hits in 381 at-bats for an average of .260 with thirty-eight homers and ninety-one runs batted in, He's now struck out sixty-seven times for the year.

    Here are the updated standings in the National League West:

    Diamondbacks: 99-63
    Giants: 88-74- 11 GB
    Dodgers: 77-85- 22 GB
    Padres: 74-88- 25 GB
    Rockies: 71-91- 28 GB

    In the Central:

    Astros: 97-65
    Reds: 96-66- 1 GB
    Pirates: 77-84- 20.5 GB
    (tie) Cardinals: 75-86- 21.5 GB
    (tie) Brewers: 75-86- 21.5 GB
    Cubs: 67-95- 30 GB

    In real time, the Giants were 21-10 and led the National League West by three and a half games over the Dodgers.

    The Brew Crew made it two in a row with a 3-2 victory over the Bonds-less Giants on Sunday, May 9. Former Dodgers ace Hideo Nomo held the Boys from the Bay to two runs on five hits over six and a third innings, and the Brewers scored twice in the second on a double by Grissom and a single by Loretta. Berry, who had been named Player of the Game the day before after producing both Milwaukee runs, added an insurance tally with a solo homer in the sixth off of Joe Nathan, who was now a reliever. Catchers had both Frisco RBIs; Scott Servais' grounder scored a run in the second, and Mayne (who was batting for Servais) singled in the other run in the seventh.

    Bonds returned to the lineup on Monday, May 10 when the Giants welcomed the Atlanta Braves to 3Com Park for Game 1 of a three-game series. John Smoltz will start for the Braves; he'll be opposed by the Giants' Russ Ortiz.

    Next: Game 1 between the Braves and the Giants.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now it's time for the first game of a three-game series between the Braves and the Giants at 3Com Park on Monday, May 10. In real life, the Giants won 4-1. Bonds will be in left field and batting second, just as his replacement Stan Javier did in real life.

    In the bottom of the first, Bonds hit a fly ball deep to center that drove the Braves' Andruw Jones back to the wall before he made a leaping catch.

    In the bottom of the third with Marvin Benard at first, Bonds hit another deep fly ball, this one to left. The Braves' Otis Nixon climbed the wall to make the catch.

    In the bottom of the fifth with the Braves leading 3-0, starting pitcher Russ Ortiz led off with a home run into the left field bullpen, his second of the year. Benard walked on five pitches, and Bonds' bloop fell in the right center power alley, Benard sped home, and the Braves' lead was down to 3-2. After Ells Burks took a called third strike for out number one, Jeff Kent lined a base hit to left center, Bonds scored, and we were tied at three,

    In the bottom of the sixth with the Braves leading 6-3, Rich Aurilia doubled off the wall in left with one out. After pitcher John Johnstone struck out on a foul bunt attempt, Benard clubbed Braves reliever Mike Remlinger's 1-2 pitch over the wall in right center for his eighteenth home run of the year to bring the Giants within 6-5. Bonds walked to restart the rally, and Burks' bloop single to left put runners at the corners. Kent was next, and he blasted Remlinger's 0-1 offering four rows deep into the right field stands for his twenty-fourth homer of the year and an 8-6 San Francisco lead.

    In the bottom of the eighth with the score tied at eight and one out, Bonds hit a high fly ball to the warning track in center that was caught by Andruw for the second out.

    Bonds finished one for four plus a walk with two runs scored and a run batted in. He now has exactly one hundred hits in 385 official at-bats for an average of .260 with thirty-eight home runs and ninety-two runs batted in. By my unofficial count, he has now scored 104 runs, He has also drawn eighty-two walks.

    Now for the rest of the game action:

    The Braves scored twice in the top of the second. Right fielder Brian Jordan lined a leadoff single to right. First baseman Ryan Klesko's single to right center put two men on, and Andruw beat out a bouncer to short for an infield single to load the bases. Catcher Eddie Perez grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, which allowed Jordan to score and gave the Braves a 1-0 lead. Shortstop Walt Weiss was next, and his single to right scored Klesko to make it 2-0.

    The visitors extended their lead in the top of the fifth, With one out, third baseman Chipper Jones walked and stole second. After Jordan flew to Benard in left center for out number two, Klesko rang a double off the wall in right center to bring Chipper home and put the Braves up 3-0.

    The Braves broke the 3-3 tie with three runs in the top of the sixth. Perez led off with a single to right but was forced by Weiss. With Randall Simon at the plate to bat for starting pitcher John Smoltz, Weiss stole second. After Simon walked, Nixon stroked a single to left that scored Weiss and put the Braves up 4-3. Simon moved to third on the play. After second baseman Bret Boone flew to shallow left center for out number two, Nixon stole second, and Chipper was walked intentionally to load the bases. Jordan was next, and he lined the first pitch he saw up the middle. Simon and Nixon both scored, and the Braves led 6-3.

    The Braves retied the game with two runs in the top of the eighth. Brian Hunter, batting for reliever Kevin McGlinchy, drew a leadoff walk, Nixon reached when Aurilia muffed his two-hopper to short. and Boone's fly to Bonds in deep left moved Hunter to third. Chipper took a called third strike from Giants reliever Rich Rodriguez foe out number two, but Jordan banged a double off the wall in left that scored both Hunter and Nixon to tie the game at eight,

    The Giants won the game in the bottom of the ninth. Mayne drew a one-out walk against Braves reliever Rudy Seanez. Aurilia's single to eight center put runners at the corners. F,P, Santangelo batted for reliever Jerry Spradlin and flew to right for the second out, but Benard slapped the first pitch he saw into left for a game-winning single, Final score: Giants 9, Braves 8.

    Benard was named Player of the Game because of his game-winning hit.

    Final totals: Giants 9-14-1, Braves 8-12-0,

    W- Spradlin (4-1)
    L- Seanez (6-2)

    HR- SF: Kent (24), Benard (18), Ortiz (2)

    DW- Ortiz (18-8)
    DS- Nen (36)
    DL- Smoltz (11-7)

    LHR- ATL: Boone (19)
    SF: Burks (30)

    The series will continue tomorrow night with Game 2 here at 3Com Park, Odalis Perez will start for the Braves, while Shawn Estes pitches for the Giants.

    Next: We look at Game 2.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    I've decided to give Bonds a 2005 season after all. It's going to be mostly a mixture of the real-life seasons of the two guys who took his place in left field for that year: Pedro Feliz and Moises Alou. Since I'm using real-life games which are easily accessible on the Internet, I'll just list Bonds' stats, No results will be changed.

    April 5 vs. Dodgers (batted fifth in left field):

    In the second, he was called out on strikes.

    In the fourth. he led off with a single to center, Third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo followed with a two-run homer.

    In the fifth, he grounded to third to end the inning.

    In the seventh, he struck out swinging to end the inning. Final score: Giants 4, Dodgers 2,

    Final stats: 1-4, scored one run, struck out twice.

    Note: Bonds left the game after seven innings.

    Season so far: .283 batting average (13-46), five home runs. ten RBIs.

    April 6 vs, Dodgers (batted third in left field):

    In the first, he singled to center,

    In the fourth, he drew a leadoff walk and scored on center fielder Marquis Grissom's double to left.

    In the fifth, he grounded to short.

    In the seventh, he grounded to second to end the inning.

    In the ninth, his single up the middle scored right fielder Tony Torcato. Final score: Dodgers 10, Giants 4..

    Final stats: 2-4 plus walk, run scored. RBI.

    Season so far: .300 batting average (15-50), five home runs, eleven RBIs.

    April 7 vs, Dodgers (batted fourth in left field):

    In the first, he grounded to short to end the inning.

    In the fourth, he singled to left.

    In the seventh, he grounded to short.

    In the ninth, he grounded to first, Final score: Dodgers 6, Giants 0,

    Final stats: 1-4

    Season so far: .296 average, (16-54), five home runs, eleven RBIs.

    Next: The 2005 Giants entertain the Rockies in a three-game set.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Bonds sat out the entire series against the Rockies due to stiffness and swelling in his knees. The Giants won the first game on April 8 10-8, the second game on April 9 4-2 and the third game on April 10 11-4.

    On April 13, the Giants began their first road trip of the season in Los Angeles. Bonds' knees continued to be swollen and painful, which meant that he was out of action on April 12 as the Dodgers nipped the Giants 9-8, He missed his fifth game in a row on April 13 as the Dodgers again prevailed 4-2.

    The Giants arrived in Denver on April 15 without Bonds, who had gone back to San Francisco for an examination of both knees. The Giants defeated the Rockies 13-6, He was told by team doctors that he was in no danger of further damage by playing, and returned to the lineup on Saturday, April 16,

    April 16 vs. Rockies (batting fourth in left field):

    In the first, he grounded to third,

    In the fourth, he again grounded to third.

    In the sixth, he hit home run Number 784 off the foul pole in left field off of Rockies pitcher Joe Kennedy.

    In the eighth, he flew to left, Final score: Rockies 5, Giants 4,

    Final stats: 1-4, home run,

    Season so far: .293 average (17-58), six home runs, thirteen RBIs.

    Bonds now has 784 career home runs, He's sixteen away from eight hundred and eighty-four behind Oh.

    He returned to the bench on Sunday, April 17 as the Giants beat the Rockies 8-6.

    Next: The '05 Giants open a two-game series against the Padres at Petco Park on Monday, April 18,

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Here's how Bonds fared in the Giants' two-game series against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on April 18-19, 2005:

    April 18 (batted fourth in left field):

    In the first, he grounded into an inning-ending double play.

    In the fourth, he was called out on strikes.

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

    In the eighth, he struck out swinging. Final score: Padres 7, Giants 2,

    Final stats: 1-4

    Season so far: .290 average (19-62), six home runs, thirteen RBIs.

    He was out of the lineup again on April 19 as the Giants fell to the Padres 5-2.

    Next: It's back home to face the Diamondbacks on April 20-21.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Now let's see how Bonds fared against the Diamondbacks at AT&T Park on April 20-21:

    April 20 (batted fourth in left field):

    In the second, he grounded to third,

    In the fourth, he struck out swinging.

    In the sixth, he flied to right,

    In the eighth, he doubled to right. Final score: Diamondbacks 2. Giants 1.

    Final stats: 1-4

    Season so far: ,288 average (19-66), six home runs, thirteen RBIs.

    April 21 (batted fourth in left field):

    In the first, he lined to second.

    In the fourth, he grounded to short.

    In the sixth, he grounded to second.

    In the eighth, his sacrifice fly to left scored second baseman Ray Durham.

    In the eleventh, he grounded to second.

    In the thirteenth, he doubled to left, Final in thirteen: Diamondbacks 5, Giants 4.

    Final stats: 1-5, RBI off of sac fly

    Season so far: ,282 average (20-71), six home runs, fourteen RBIs.

    Next: The Giants welcome the Milwaukee Brewers to SBC Park for a three-game series April 22-24.

    Thoughts?
     
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    Garrett Garlits

    Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series between the Brewers and the Giants at SBC Park on April 22-24, 2005:

    April 22 (batted fourth and played left field):

    In the second, he tripled to left and scored on Edgardo Alfonzo's grounder to short.

    In the fourth, he struck out swinging,

    In the seventh, he grounded to third,

    In the ninth, his liner to third was caught by the Brewers' Jeff Cirillo to end the game. Final score: Brewers 6, Giants 1,

    Final stats: 1-4, run scored,

    Note: Bonds left the game after eight and a half innings.

    Season so far: .280 batting average (21-75), six home runs, fourteen RBIs.

    April 23 (batted fourth and played left field)

    In the second, he reached on an error by Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy.

    In the fourth, he beat out a grounder to third for an infield single. Later, he scored on Marquis Grissom's sacrifice fly.

    In the fifth, he grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play,

    In the eighth, he singled to center. Final score: Giants 6, Brewers 2,

    Final stats: 2-4, run scored,

    Season so far: ,291 batting average (23-79), six home runs, fourteen RBIs.

    He sat out the final game of the series on April 24, as the Brewers prevailed 8-5.

    Next: Bonds and the Giants welcome the Padres for a three-game series, which begins Monday, April 25.

    Thoughts?
     
    Last edited:

    Garrett Garlits

    I've decided to continue the 2005 season for a while. Here's how Bonds fared in the three-game series against the Padres at SBC Park from April 25-27:

    April 25 (played left field and batted sixth):

    In the first, he grounded to short,

    In the fourth, he struck out swinging,

    In the sixth, he walked,

    In the eighth, he singled to right. Final score: Padres 5, Giants 3.

    Final stats: 1-3, walk

    Season so far: ,293 batting average (24-82), six home runs, fourteen RBIs.

    April 26 (played left field and batted fifth):

    In the first, he grounded to short.

    In the fourth, he flied to right,

    In the sixth, he was called out on strikes.

    In the seventh, his single to center scored Omar Vizquel and J.T. Snow, Final score: Giants 6, Padres 5.

    Final stats: 1-4, two RBIs.

    Note: For the first time in his career, Bonds played an infield position when he moved to third base in the top of the ninth.

    Season so far: .291 average (25-86), six home runs, sixteen RBIs.

    Bonds sat out the series finale on Wednesday, April 27. The Giants defeated the Padres 10-3.

    Next: The Giants head to Pittsburgh for a three-game series beginning Friday, April 29,

    Thoughts?
     
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