One day after seeing their team mathematically eliminated, Candlestick Park’s patrons show up in “record” numbers, the smallest crowd to see a game since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. The story of today’s 8 – 4 Giants win over Cincinnati, the latest installment in the two teams’ ongoing battle for second-best, will itself be second best (at least as judged by tomorrow’s sports page editors) as compared to the following unfortunate incident. UPI reports: “A gathering of only 2,361, the smallest in San Francisco’s major league history, was on hand and witnessed the rare sight of Willie Mays engaged in a shouting match with two spectators. Mays, in fact, had to be restrained from charging into the stands to confront the two hecklers, both Air Force sergeants dressed in civilian clothes. ‘Nice catch, Willie,’ they jeered from the front row after Mays made a spectacular catch in the 4th. ‘For a $100,000 bum you’re finally earning your money'”. “Mays was approaching the dugout in the middle of the 4th when he went after the two men,” adds AP. “He was intercepted by Bobby Bonds and manager Herman Franks and the sergeants were ejected from the park.”

One day after seeing their team mathematically eliminated, Candlestick Park’s patrons show up in “record” numbers, the smallest crowd to see a game since the team moved to San Francisco in 1958. The story of today’s 8 – 4 Giants win over Cincinnati, the latest installment in the two teams’ ongoing battle for second-best, will itself be second best (at least as judged by tomorrow’s sports page editors) as compared to the following unfortunate incident. UPI reports: “A gathering of only 2,361, the smallest in San Francisco’s major league history, was on hand and witnessed the rare sight of Willie Mays engaged in a shouting match with two spectators. Mays, in fact, had to be restrained from charging into the stands to confront the two hecklers, both Air Force sergeants dressed in civilian clothes. ‘Nice catch, Willie,’ they jeered from the front row after Mays made a spectacular catch in the 4th. ‘For a $100,000 bum you’re finally earning your money'”. “Mays was approaching the dugout in the middle of the 4th when he went after the two men,” adds AP. “He was intercepted by Bobby Bonds and manager Herman Franks and the sergeants were ejected from the park.”

San Francisco Giant rookie Bobby Bonds becomes the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major league game
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San Francisco Giant rookie Bobby Bonds becomes the second player to hit a grand slam in his first major league game

On June 25, 1968 At Candlestick Park – San Francisco Giant, Bobby Bonds, a 22-year old outfielder just called up by the San Francisco Giants, announced his arrival in grand fashion, clearing the bases in the sixth inning with a homer off Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Jack Purdin. The hit came in Bonds’ third career…

Bobby Bonds Stats & Facts

Bobby Bonds Stats & Facts

Bobby Bonds Position: Rightfielder Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right 6-1, 190lb (185cm, 86kg) Born: March 15, 1946 in Riverside, CA Died: August 23, 2003 in San Carlos, CA Buried: Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, CA High School: Riverside Poly HS (Riverside, CA) Debut: June 25, 1968 (10,323rd in MLB history) vs. LAD 3 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0 SB Last Game: October 4, 1981 vs. PHI 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR,…

1898 – At the Baker Bowl, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Bill Duggleby hits a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. In 1968, Bobby Bonds of the San Francisco Giants will hit one in his first game in his third at-bat, against the Dodgers, but Duggleby’s feat will not be matched until August 31, 2005, when Jeremy Hermida of the Florida Marlins goes yard with the bases full against the Cardinals.

1898 – At the Baker Bowl, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Bill Duggleby hits a grand slam in his first major league at-bat. In 1968, Bobby Bonds of the San Francisco Giants will hit one in his first game in his third at-bat, against the Dodgers, but Duggleby’s feat will not be matched until August 31, 2005, when Jeremy Hermida of the Florida Marlins goes yard with the bases full against the Cardinals.