The San Francisco Giants are signaling a shift-one that could reshape how the franchise honors its all-time greats. And at the center of it all? Barry Bonds.
For years, the Giants have leaned on one benchmark when it comes to statues outside Oracle Park: induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s been the gold standard.
But based on recent comments from team CEO Larry Baer, that standard might be evolving. And if it is, the door swings wide open for Bonds to get the tribute many fans have long believed he deserves.
Let’s be clear: Barry Bonds is one of the most decorated players the game has ever seen. Seven MVP awards.
The all-time home run record at 762. A 15-year run in San Francisco that redefined what offensive dominance looked like.
Bonds didn’t just play at the waterfront ballpark-he turned it into a destination. Every at-bat was an event.
Every moonshot into McCovey Cove felt like history in real time.
But despite the numbers, Bonds has remained on the outside looking in when it comes to Cooperstown. Hall of Fame voters have yet to open that door, and that’s kept the Giants from giving him a statue-until now.
Speaking on The Dan Patrick Show, Baer made it clear that while the team’s five existing statues-Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda, and Gaylord Perry-are all Hall of Famers, the criteria for future honors may no longer be tied exclusively to a plaque in upstate New York.
“We view Barry as a Hall of Famer even though he’s not in the Hall of Fame,” Baer said.
That’s a statement that carries weight. It’s not just a nice soundbite-it’s a philosophical shift.
The Giants are saying they don’t need Cooperstown’s blessing to honor their own legends. And in doing so, they’re reclaiming ownership of their franchise’s legacy.
"The five (statues) that we have are in the Hall of Fame. That's been, sort of, our criteria – but we view Barry as a Hall of Famer even though he's not in the Hall of Fame."
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) February 2, 2026
– SF Giants President/CEO Larry Baer on a future Barry Bonds statue outside of Oracle Park. pic.twitter.com/97awB1mySc
This isn’t coming out of nowhere, either. Bonds has been back in the fold in recent years, working in advisory and instructional roles. The team retired his No. 25 in 2018-a major gesture that underscored his standing in Giants history, even without the Hall of Fame recognition.
Now, Baer’s comments move the conversation forward. It’s no longer about if Bonds deserves a statue. It’s about when it will happen.
Adding Bonds to the lineup of statues at Oracle Park would be more than just a tribute-it would be a statement. It would place the most dominant player of the franchise’s modern era alongside the legends who helped build its foundation. It would also reflect a broader understanding of what greatness means-one that doesn’t hinge solely on Hall of Fame votes.
For Giants fans, this feels like a long time coming. Bonds was the face of the franchise for a generation.
He made the Giants must-watch baseball. And while the Hall of Fame remains elusive, the organization seems ready to give him a permanent place among its immortals.
If that statue does go up, it won’t just be about honoring a player. It’ll be about honoring an era. And in San Francisco, there’s no question-Barry Bonds was that era.