SF Giants to retire Barry Bonds' #25 jersey

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - The San Francisco Giants on Tuesday announced it will retire Barry Bonds' number 25 jersey.

Baseball's home run king will be honored in a jersey retirement ceremony set for Aug. 11 at AT&T Park when the Giants face the Pittsburgh Pirates, with the first 20,000 fans at the game receiving a #25 cap, the Giants said.

Bonds will join an elite group to become the New York and San Francisco Giants 12th player, including his godfather #24 Willie Mays, to have his jersey retired.

"No other Giants player has worn number 25 since Barry's final season.  It's time to officially retire his number in honor of his remarkable 22-year career as one of the greatest players of all time and for his countless achievements and contributions as a Giant," team president and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement.

"Barry grew up with the Giants and followed in the footsteps of his Godfather Willie Mays and another Giant legend who also wore number 25 -- his late father, Bobby. By officially retiring number 25, we will not only pay tribute to Barry as the greatest player of his generation, but also honor the legacy of two of the greatest players to ever wear a Giants uniform," Baer said.

Bonds responded to Tuesday's announcement saying he was honored and humbled. "As I've always said, the Giants and Giants fans, are a part of my family... Number 25 has meant a lot to me throughout my career and it is even more special that I got to share that with my dad," said Bonds.

It will be the first time in Giants history the team will retire the uniform of a player who is not in the Hall of Fame.

Despite being on the Hall of Fame ballot for six years, the seven time MVP has not garnered enough votes to make it to Cooperstown because of his ties to the BALCO steroid scandal.

Bonds was indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges by a federal grand jury in 2007, stemming from the federal government's investigation into BALCO.

He was later acquitted of perjury but found guilty of obstruction of justice. Then in 2015, an appeals court overturned that conviction.   
    
Bonds played for the Giants from 1993 to 2007 and holds the Major League Baseball home run record with 762 home runs, 586 of those with the Giants.

During his 22 year MLB career, he also played with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-92), received eight Gold Glove awards and 14 All-Star selections.

He currently serves in the team's front office as a Special Advisor.