SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds seized upon the freedom to speak from the heart Friday. Not within the stilted constraints of an interview or news conference. Not about a ballgame or a contract or a legal matter.
Moved by the occasion -- a celebration of the life of Jim Davenport, who died on Feb. 18 after spending 51 years with the Giants -- Bonds talked about love, family and friendship. Befitting his status as baseball's all-time home run leader, he hit those subjects out of the park.
In town as the hitting coach of the Miami Marlins, who began a weekend series against the Giants on Friday, Bonds paid profound tribute to Davenport while conveying his eternal loyalty to the man and his family.