Giants legend still looms large over franchise

Barry Bonds last played for the San Francisco Giants in 2007. The legendary outfielder still casts a large shadow over the franchise.

Bonds spent 15 seasons in San Francisco. From 1993-2007, he was the Opening Day left fielder for all but one of those games — in 2005 when he played in just 14 games due to several surgeries on his right knee. 

A lot has changed since Bonds last played, especially in left field. The Giants have gone through 18 different Opening Day left fielders since Bonds' final season in 2007. 

Another new face is expected to man left field on Opening Day. Outfielder Heliot Ramos, who made 50 appearances in left in 2024, is expected to be the starter on Thursday. When that happens, the Giants will tie the St. Louis Browns for the most consecutive Opening Days with a different player at a position. The Browns also used 19 different left fielders on Opening Day from 1937-55.

That streak came to an end when the Browns moved to Baltimore ahead of the 1956 season. Outfielder/third baseman Jim Dyck, who started in left in 1953, returned to the position on Opening Day in 1956. Dyck would only play 11 games for the Orioles that year before being sold to the Reds.

The Giants' streak may come to an end after this season as well. Ramos was a pleasant surprise for the Giants in 2024, earning an All-Star berth while posting a .269/.322/.469 batting line in his 518 plate appearances, hitting 22 homers and 23 doubles. 

At 25 years old, Ramos should be an important part of the Giants' future. That future could include solidifying left field in San Francisco for years to come.