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Hi everyone, and happy Monday. Here’s hoping your week is off to a good start.
Prior to the start of the 2019 season, the San Francisco Giants did something surprising. Despite finishing the 2018 season with just 73 wins, and despite hiring Farhan Zaidi — who did not have a habit of spending huge dollars on free agents while with the Los Angeles Dodgers — the team made a strong push for slugger Bryce Harper, who was prepared to sign one of the largest contracts in MLB history.
Harper’s free agency decision came down to the Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies, with both teams reportedly putting more than a decade and in excess of $300 million on the table.
The Giants finished in second place, and Harper joined the Phillies on a 13-year, $330 million deal.
He recently opened up about the hesitations he had with San Francisco, a team and city he had publicly lauded.
“My fear with San Fran was all their guys are kind of done,” Harper told the Starting 9 podcast, as transcribed by NBC Sports Bay Area. “(Buster) Posey was going to be gone possibly, or he was going to move to first base. (Brandon) Belt only had like two years left (on his contract) so he was going to be gone possibly. (Brandon) Crawford, where was he going to be? He’s a great shortstop.”
His facts are a little bit off, but it’s hard to argue with the reasoning, even if it’s a little funny to be worried about the short-term trajectory of a team when signing a 13-year contract.
Ultimately, Harper seems happy in Philly, and the Giants appear happy with where they are in their rebuild. Everyone wins. Maybe.
Did Barry Bonds hit a home run today?
He sure did, including in four straight seasons.
May 11, 1995: Against the Colorado Rockies, Bonds hit a solo home run in the 3rd inning off of Juan Acevedo. It pulled the Giants to within 4-3, but they would lose 10-4. It was his 2nd home run of the year.
May 11, 1996: Against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Bonds hit a solo home run in the 8th inning off of Marc Wilkins. It gave the Giants a 9-5 lead, and they would win 12-7. It was his 17th home run of the year, and his 3rd game in a row with a home run. He would then go 27 consecutive games without a home run.
May 11, 1997: Against the Chicago Cubs, Bonds hit a 2-run home run in the 1st inning off of Kevin Foster, scoring Darryl Hamilton. It pulled the Giants to within 4-2, and they would win 11-5. It was his 5th home run of the year.
May 11, 1998: Against the Montreal Expos, Bonds hit a 2-run home run in the 3rd inning off of Javier Vazquez, scoring Darryl Hamilton. It gave the Giants a 3-1 lead, and they would win 7-2. It was his 9th home run of the year, and Jeff Kent made it back-to-back shots.
May 11, 2001: Against the New York Mets, Bonds hit a solo home run in the 4th inning off of Steve Trachsel. It gave the Giants a 2-1 lead, and they would win 3-2. It was his 15th home run of the year.
Have a terrific Monday, one and all.