Bottalico Reflects on 1998 Pitch Incident with Barry Bonds

Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico commented on an incident from 1998 during a Netflix pre-show broadcast that revisited a clash with Barry Bonds. This event was recalled amid the buzz of the MLB Home Run Derby.

The 1998 Incident

During a game against the San Francisco Giants, Bottalico hit Bonds with a pitch, leading to Bonds charging the mound for the first time. It became a memorable moment in baseball history.

Bonds stated, “No, it didn’t, it did not get away,” addressing the claim that Bottalico lost control of the pitch.

Bonds acknowledged Bottalico as a skilled pitcher and accepted the incident as part of the game dynamics of that era.

Bottalico Sets the Record Straight

Appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic, Bottalico refuted the notion proposed by Elle Duncan that the hit was accidental.

“That is a bold-faced lie,” Bottalico stated. He explained, “I was told to go in and hit Barry Bonds. It’s that simple.”

Bottalico revealed that back in that era, players often had to conceal intentional plays to avoid suspensions. He recounted that his coaches advised him against admitting the intention publicly.

Reason Behind the Incident

The team expressed displeasure with Bonds over a perceived breach of unwritten baseball rules. Bonds had stolen a base with his team already leading by seven runs, stirring frustration.

Bottalico noted that he was not initially scheduled to pitch that day due to a recent surgery, yet circumstances led to his involvement in the game.

Career Highlights

Bottalico, who had an illustrious career including one All-Star appearance in 1996, played five consecutive years with the Phillies before becoming a journeyman reliever in Major League Baseball.

Ryan Gaydos serves as a senior editor at Fox News Digital.