The home run king was in the house at AT&T Park on Sunday and Giants broadcasters Kruk and Kuip wasted no time in debating whether or not #25 could still swing like he used to.
Barry Bonds joined Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper in the third inning of San Francisco’s 8-2 loss to the Mets, where chatter quickly escalated over whether or not Bonds could still knock a splash hit over Levi’s Landing and into McCovey Cove.
He didn’t miss a beat.
“I promise you I will,” Bonds said. “Without a doubt.”
Bonds was the face of the splash hit when AT&T Park (then Pacific Bell Park) first made its debut in 2000. Of the current 73 splash hits, Bonds takes ownership for 35, including the stadium’s very first on May 1st, 2000.
“It’d take me eight to get warmed up, three pop-ups, and then I’d get it,” he said with a laugh after Kuiper said he’d bet Bonds would be able to do it in ten swings.
“I would definitely love to swing the bat again because I miss those boats up there,” he added. “The best part of this stadium was having the boats out at McCovey Cove.
“It was probably the best scenery in baseball. We need to get it back.”
Bonds will return to AT&T in just a few weeks when the Giants add Bonds to their Wall of Fame on July 8th. He rejoined the Giants during spring training, serving as a special instructor.
To hear the full conversation with Kuiper, Krukow and Bonds, listen below.