Cepeda gets a statue, but Bonds steals the show

Three People on Four Benches…

Barry Bonds made a surprise appearance at Orlando Cepeda’s statue ceremony Saturday, and everybody on hand made it clear they want Bonds to be the next Giant immortalized at the waterfront ballpark.

...Bonds sat on the dais next to his godfather, Willie Mays, for the ceremony but did not speak. He received the loudest cheers among the former Giants greats when he was introduced. Bonds smiled and waved when the crowd broke into a chant of ‘Barry! Barry!’

Cepeda was more than happy to share his big day with Bonds.

One day after telling reporters that Bonds deserves to have a statue, he began to conclude his often emotional speech to the crowd by saying he wanted to thank, “My hero, the best hitter, the best ballplayer ever to play the game: Barry Bonds.’’