MLB Opening Day: Pirates fans give Barry Bonds mixed reaction during pre-game ceremony

Mar 31, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates former shortstop Dick Groat (left) and former outfielder Barry Bonds (middle) present Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) with the 2013 National League MVP award prior to the Pirates hosting the Chicago Cubs in an opening day baseball game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Pirates honored outfielder Andrew McCutchen with his 2013 NL MVP award today and on hand for the festivities was Barry Bonds.

Before signing with the San Francisco Giants in 1993, Bonds spent seven seasons with the Pirates, winning two of his eventual seven career National League MVP awards – so needless to say, he did have a very solid history with the Pirates while he was a member of the organization.

Of course, leaving in free agency certainly left a bitter taste in the mouth of Pirates fans who gave Bonds a heavy dose of mixed emotions when he walked on the field to present McCutchen with his award.

Written this before, but upper deck behind home plate is where most Three Rivers season-ticket holders were relocated. It was ALL BOOS here.
— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) March 31, 2014

From field level it sounded like Pittsburgh showed more love for Barry Bonds than anger. 70-30 cheers-to-boos ratio.
— Jenn Menendez (@JennMenendez) March 31, 2014

Seems as if you had a different perception as to what Bonds was hearing depending on your seat location. Regardless, it’s understandable that Pirates fans weren’t exactly happy with Bonds who hasn’t really had much association with the franchise since he left after the 1992 year. Then again, booing Bonds at a McCutchen award ceremony probably wasn’t the best idea either.

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