Barry Bonds returning to San Francisco Giants as assistant to CEO

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run leader who has stayed mostly away from the San Francisco Giants since his retirement a decade ago, will join the club as a special advisor to the CEO, the team announced Tuesday.

Bonds, 52, served as a special instructor with the Giants in spring training in 2014, and has earned acclaim for his informal work with major leaguers such as Dexter Fowler. He spent 2016 as the Miami Marlins' hitting coach before departing after just one season.

This will be his first formal return to the Giants since he retired with 762 home runs after the 2007 season. He will arrive in camp Wednesday to work with players over the final six days.

"He's been here before,” said manager Bruce Bochy. “It's not something new to us. He'll be helping out, just like all the other guest instructors.

"More than anything you will see him working with hitting coach Hensley (Meulens) and the hitters.

"We welcome him. He will be part of this staff all week.

"We are delighted to welcome Barry back home to the Giants," club CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. "As one of the greatest players of all-time, Barry's contributions to our organization are legendary. He joins Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda and other distinguished alumni who help advise the club, and we look forward to working with him again."

Said Bonds: "San Francisco has always been my home, and the Giants will always be family. I look forward to spending time with the team, young players in the system as well as the community."

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Bonds' off-field career was complicated by his involvement in the BALCO performance-enhancing drug scandal. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on perjury charges in November 2007, just more than a month after he hit his final home run for the Giants. A mistrial was declared on two counts of perjury, while an obstruction of justice conviction was thrown out on appeal.

He has made appearances at AT&T Park for playoff and opening-day festivities over the years, but was not directly involved with the organization until a weeklong stint as a special instructor at spring training in March 2014.

His role will be only a bit more formal this time. The club announced Bonds will "represent the organization at various community and organizational events in San Francisco," and also spend a week as a spring training instructor, and visit the club's minor league affiliates.

"He is arguably the greatest hitter ever," Giants second baseman Joe Panik told USA TODAY Sports. "Just to have his knowledge, having him around, can only benefit us.
"Of course we want to pick his brain. He's the home run king. It's definitely good to rub elbows with him and see what he has to say."

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