Barry Bonds went into hiding after unceremoniously leaving baseball following the 2007 season. It seems he may be looking to end that.
Bonds has appeared in the stands at AT&T Park during the Giants’ postseason run — mostly to a positive reception from the loyal Bay Area fans — and he also said that he’d like to return to baseball as a hitting coach.
Many have laughed at Bonds’ suggestion because of the scandals that continue to follow him even after his playing career has ended and because he is perceived to be a curmudgeon, but former teammate and Red Sox hero Dave Roberts actually thinks Bonds would have a lot to offer.
“There’s no question he would be amazing,” Roberts told The Boston Globe. “People don’t understand how very positive Barry is.
“I think the perception of him is so much different than the reality of what he is as a person. I thoroughly enjoyed being his teammate in San Francisco, and I find him to be one of the smartest guys I’ve ever been around. … Though he’s one of the greatest hitters ever, there was a thought process every time he went to the plate, and that’s the kind of thing that’s so valuable to hitters.”
Mark McGwire was able to overcome his history with PEDs and negative public perception to become hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals, and while Bonds may be disliked nationally, he remains a very popular figure in the Bay Area — meaning that his ultimate return to the Giants in some capacity could happen.
