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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds smiles on the field before a game between the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals in San Francisco last year.
No Giants player has worn No. 25 since Barry Bonds last wore the jersey in 2007.
This morning, the Giants announced that no other player ever will.
The franchise announced that Bonds’ jersey will be retired on Saturday, August 11 when the team hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates. After honoring the seven-time MVP and all-time home run leader (762) with a Wall of Fame plaque last summer, the Giants will immortalize Bonds and take his No. 25 out of circulation.
The Giants have never retired the jersey of a player who isn’t enshrined in Baseball’s Hall of Fame, but Bonds presented the team with a unique case. Bonds spent 15 seasons with the organization and became the single-season home run record holder (73) during the 2001 season.
“No other Giants player has worn number 25 since Barry’s final season,” Giants’ president Larry Baer said in a team press release. “It’s time to officially retire his number in honor of his remarkable 22-year career as one of the greatest players of all time and for his countless achievements and contributions as a Giant. Barry grew up with the Giants and followed in the footsteps of his godfather Willie Mays and another Giant legend who also wore number 25 — his late father, Bobby. By officially retiring number 25, we will not only pay tribute to Barry as the greatest player of his generation, but also honor the legacy of two of the greatest players to ever wear a Giants uniform.”
The Giants have retired nine other numbers: Bill Terry (3); Mel Ott (4); Carl Hubbell (11); Monte Irvin (20); Mays (24); Juan Marichal (27); Orlando Cepeda (30); Gaylord Perry (36); and Willie McCovey (44). There are statues at AT&T park of the latter five, and based on his career efforts, Bonds is a strong candidate to be immortalized outside the ballpark.
“I’m both honored and humbled that the Giants are going to retire my number this season,” Bonds said in the team’s press release. “As I’ve always said, the Giants and Giants fans, are a part of my family. Growing up, Candlestick Park was my home away from home, and it is where my dad and godfather Willie played. For me to have played on the same field as them, wear the same uniform and now have my number retired, joining Willie and the other Giants legends is extremely special. Number 25 has meant a lot to me throughout my career and it is even more special that I got to share that with my dad.”
Bonds won eight Gold Gloves and earned 14 All-Star selections during his 22-year Major League career and owns franchise records for career batting average (.312), runs (1,555) stolen bases (263) and walks (2,588).
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