As of this writing, this game marks the only time I’ve ever been to PNC
Park, which ranks a close second on my short list of favorite MLB ballparks
attended (Camden Yards, PNC Park, Jacobs Field, Great American Ballpark,
Tropicana Field; Cleveland Municipal Stadium, incomplete grade). More notably,
it was also the only time I ever saw the great Barry Bonds play in person, and
came in the midst of the greatest offensive season (on a rate basis) ever
recorded.
Bonds did not disappoint, drawing walks in his first two PAs and hitting the
688th homer of his career in the seventh on an absolute line-drive missile to
right-center, the most impressive homer I’ve ever seen in person. AJ Pierzynski
followed that with a homer, and the Giants added another run in the frame to
take a 6-4 lead. The Pirates came back with three in the eighth, but Michael
Tucker’s second homer of the game tied it in the ninth off Jose Mesa. Mat
Herges got the first two outs in the home ninth, but Jack Wilson singled and
Rob Mackowiak doubled to the warning track to bring him around.
As a Bonds supporter, I sat in the left field seats to be closer to the
great man, observing quietly in neutral clothing (gray OSU shirt and Indians
home cap). As you might imagine, the crowd was hostile, with one poor guy
carrying a “Greatest Pirate Ever” sign having his sign destroyed by the
hometown hooligans and then literally was hounded from the park when he
objected. My unabashed Bonds fandom aside, I do not concur with “Greatest
Pirate Ever” - perhaps the greatest player to wear a Pirates uniform, but Hans
Wagner clearly had more career value as a Pirate, among others (Roberto
Clemente, Paul Waner, not Chris Archer).