Barry Bonds is no longer the Miami Marlins’ hitting coach, but that hasn’t stopped him from providing advice to Giancarlo Stanton throughout the outfielder’s home run chase this season.
Stanton slugged his 51st home run of the season on Tuesday and has been on absolute fire this month with 18 home runs and an OPS over 1.400. He says that Bonds has been guiding him throughout the year.
“Barry’s been huge for me,” Stanton said via the Miami Herald. “We talk all the time. He’s guided me along this year.”
Bonds holds the single-season home run record with 73 and knows what it’s like to be this hot. He told Stanton to expect to see fewer good pitches to hit at the plate while he’s this hot. And while Bonds’ record seems out of reach, Stanton has a good shot at eclipsing Roger Maris’ mark of 61 homers, which is the high point from a player not tied to PEDs.
Stanton continuing to talk with Bonds is surprising considering a past report said the two did not get along, which in part led Miami to part ways with their former hitting coach.
