The Mets, Giants game was interesting last night because it marked the return of Edgardo Alfonso to Queens. But Fonzie, and even the visiting former President, Bill Clinton, took a back seat to the great Barry Bonds. (You were expecting J.T. Snow maybe?) Bonds, who has historically not hit well at Shea Stadium, was masterful. He walked on four pitches in the first. The Mets had the lead when he came up again, and promptly lined Aaron Heilman’s first pitch into the bullpen. There were smiles all around—it was hard to resist, even for Johnny Franco—and plenty of cheers for Mr. Bonds. (Hey, the fans aren’t stupid; the realize they are catching history here.) He doubled in a run in his following at bat, and was finally retired by Grant Roberts his fourth time up (he whiffed on a fastball up and out of the strike zone).

The Mets led 5-3 in the ninth. David Weathers got the first out, so he was able to pitch to Bonds. He got two quick strikes, and then threw three-straight balls. The 2-2 pitch was close, and Weathers thought he had a strike out, but it was a ball. Bonds creamed the 3-2 pitch to right for another homer, and I nearly fell off the couch I was laughing so hard. Bonds now has 650 career homers, just ten shy of Willie Mays on the all-time list. Amazing.

Weathers got the next two outs, the Mets won, and (almost) everybody went home happy.