San Francisco – The chilling wind whipped the grocery sack around the warning track. A trolley car sat above the right-field wall. The largest crowd in AT&T Park history booed every mention of a Dodger. All were reminders that the All-Star Game was being held in San Francisco.
But as much as legend Willie Mays wanted this to be about the city, this event was about a player. The cheers said so. When Barry Bonds moved, screams followed. His appearance, not the National League extending its winless streak to 11 straight games with a 5-4 loss Tuesday night, will be the mental imprint long after the pictures are deleted from camera phones and computer screens.
Bonds did not hit a home run, leaving the most crucial to most valuable player Ichiro Suzuki, who belted the first inside-the-park number in the game’s history hours after agreeing in principle on a new, $100 million contract. But Bonds remained a hit with a partisan crowd that seemed bent on sending a message that the San Francisco fans loved their slugger.
“When he came out for introductions and the place went crazy, that was cool,” said Rockies slugger Matt Holliday, who went 0-for-2 – the first at-bat as a pinch hitter – and played right field for four innings. “I got goose bumps.”
If only briefly, the script shifted from “Something About Barry” in a dramatic ninth inning. It gave meaning to the pregame pep talks of NL manager Tony La Russa and AL boss Jim Leyland. La Russa discussed the importance of pride and competing. Leyland told his players: “Let’s have fun. But I really want to win.”
Dmitri Young’s trickle of a two-out groundball started a last-gasp rally. It shoved the Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano to the plate, and he muscled a home run – “I got back at good friend Derek Jeter for talking trash,” he said – shaving the deficit to 5-4.
But after struggling Seattle closer J.J. Putz was removed, the Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez escaped a bases-loaded jam when Philadelphia’s Aaron Rowand flew out to right field.
“I hit it on the barrel,” Rowand said. “I just hit it to the wrong place.”
Where Rowand’s at-bat brought a collective groan, Bonds enjoyed unfiltered affection. It was a different view for a national audience that knows Bonds as a polarizing force. Even commissioner Bud Selig remains uncertain whether he will attend the Giants slugger’s 756th home run. But in quite possibly his last All-Star Game, Bonds created expectation with his red-carpet entrance, followed by a celebration.
“I am at a loss for words. There’s too many emotions to explain it,” said Bonds, who went 0-for-2 with a long flyout to left field in his final at-bat. “These are my people that I grew up with through the years. All you say is thank you.”
The warm reception began during batting practice after Bonds completed a quick interview with a Japanese TV crew. He blasted a few home runs, then blew the crowd kisses as they roared and thrust their fists into the air during his introduction.
Moments later, Bonds hustled to center field, passing several other players, to position himself for Mays’ entrance. Bonds walked with Mays as he threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Mays would say later, “I think Barry wanted to be there.”
Bonds called his stroll with Mays “the icing on the cake.”
Unfortunately, there was little else for the National League to digest. Its offense consisted of Ken Griffey Jr., Soriano and a rumor. Not even Holliday could provide a lift. He grounded out hard to first base in the sixth inning and struck out in the ninth.
He played the final four innings in right field, a spot he last played in the 2006 All-Star Game. The NL found itself in an embarrassing, if not uncommon, position.
“It’s crazy that they haven’t won in so long,” Minnesota outfielder Torii Hunter said. “That’s too bad.”
Take a walk down Mays
San Francisco – Willie McCovey has a cove named after him. And Barry Bonds has this city’s love. But only Willie Mays has a statue in front of AT&T Park, a stadium that also resides on a street named in his honor.
Ted Williams once said that the All-Star Game was invented for Mays, so it was fitting that baseball honored San Francisco’s greatest living player with a pregame celebration before Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic. With orange and silver streamers shooting into the air,
Mays, who appeared in 24 All-Star Games, entered from center field – his playing position – where he was greeted by Bonds, his godson.
With Bonds by his side, Mays, 76, walked among the players from both teams and threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
