The Cubs may lead the majors in simulated games this season, but none of them had a dozen or so mini-cams on hand to chronicle every pitch like the one Barry Bonds played Thursday at SBC Park.
The Giants slugger is trying to return from right knee surgery in time for the final three weeks of the season. He might make his 2005 debut Saturday or Sunday against the Cubs.
Giants manager Felipe Alou said before Thursday night’s game with the Cubs that there’s an “urgency” to get Bonds back in action with his team six games out of first in the National League West.
Alou hinted he may have Bonds pinch-hit this weekend, though Bonds prefers to start in left field when he returns.
“I want to play, if it’s my pick,” Bonds said in a pregame news conference.
“But I have to do what’s best for the team, and I have to do what the organization and the manager choose for me to do.”
Bonds will play another simulated game Friday before conferring with Giants doctors and general manager Brian Sabean.
He also will visit with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who gets the final word.
“We don’t know how he’s going to feel [Friday],” Sabean said. “We hope he’s not cranky. We hope he can do the same darn thing he did today, and more. So there’s a touchy-feely process that’s going to go on.”
Bonds has 703 career home runs, 14 shy of tying Babe Ruth for second on the all-time list and 52 away from Hank Aaron’s record.
Though he has denied using performance-enhancing drugs, Bonds’ relationship to key figures in the BALCO scandal has led to speculation that his assault on the all-time home run records have been fueled by steroid use.
Cubs manager Dusty Baker said Bonds’ situation is different from that of Baltimore’s Rafael Palmeiro, who was booed heavily in road games this summer after testing positive and being suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs.
“Palmeiro’s was more factual,” Baker said.
“Barry’s is really accusations. It’s Barry words against the guys who were in BALCO. And until it’s proven one way or the other, Barry is in a different light.”
Whether Bonds’ return is good or bad for baseball is something that will be debated because of the accusations.
“It’s not only bad for baseball, it’s not good for him either,” Baker said.
“But Barry is a strong dude, man. When I was here, Barry was booed everywhere he went, for one reason or another.”
Baker pointed out Bonds was also a perennial All-Star starter, meaning fans respected him as much as some disliked him.
Villain or hero, all eyes will be on Bonds when he comes back, and everyone is guessing whether Baker will let his pitchers challenge the slugger.
“I’d like to see where the first pitch is going to be,” Alou said, “especially if there’s a man on base, or two or three. They’ll walk him.”
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psullivan@tribune.com
