SF Giants history: remembering epic at-bat between Barry Bonds and Eric Gagné

SF Giants great Barry Bonds had many incredible at-bats in his career. One of the most memorable was a showdown he had with Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagné in 2004 when Bonds took Gagne deep.

This game took place in April of 2004 when both players were at the height of their powers. Bonds was fresh off winning three consecutive National League MVP awards and would go on to win his fourth consecutive in 2004. Gagné was the National League Cy Young Award winner in 2003 so it was the reigning Cy Young winner versus the reigning MVP and it did not disappoint. The at-bat can be watched here.

Remembering epic SF Giants showdown between Bonds and Gagné

It was a classic case of strength on strength. Gagné's fastball could touch triple digits with ease and Bonds was the premier home run hitter in the game at that time, having recently just passed Willie Mays' career mark of 660 home runs.

Gagné's fastball was clearly electric. He painted it on the inside corner of the plate to make the count 0-2 and then threw a perfect 0-2 pitch with a back door breaking ball that was a few inches away off the plate. Bonds, with that eagle eye he had in the batter's box, spat on it. The flame-throwing righty then came back inside to try and get Bonds on that same pitch that made it 0-2 but he missed inside and backed Bonds off the plate a little bit.

Then, Bonds fouled a 2-2 pitch out of play. Yet another fastball this time up in the zone with Gagne clearly thinking he can overpower the lefty. On the next 2-2 pitch Gagné seemingly shook off his catcher's call for a changeup or some sort of offspeed pitch, wanting to get Bonds out with a fastball. He painted the black with it inside at the knees at 101 miles per hour but Bonds spun on it and launched it well into McCovey Cove although it was also well foul.

Finally, on the last pitch of the at-bat, Gagné tried to freeze Bonds with a fastball away but he let it leak out over the plate too much and Bonds made him pay, smashing it over the center field wall for a two-run home run. Gagne thought his fastball could overpower Bonds, but that time the mighty lefty got the best of him.

Gagné has spoken about that at-bat in his post-playing days and it is clear he has nothing but respect for Bonds. The same can be said for Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux who also had a memorable chess match against Bonds. Hall of Fame player Chipper Jones has also sung the praises of Bonds, saying he was the best he ever saw play the game.

Despite this, Bonds is not a member of the MLB Hall of Fame. It is interesting that Bonds is not allowed in because of his steroid use while others who almost certainly used PED's but were never caught are currently enshrined in Cooperstown. Also, given Carlos Beltran's likely entrance into the Hall in a year or two, it makes one consider the hypocrisy of the institution and the inconsistency of the voting body as our own Jeff Young recently argued.

Nonetheless, Bonds is still one of the best players the game has ever seen. His epic at-bat against Gagné is just one of many examples why he was the best of his era.