Report: Marlins Fire Barry Bonds After One Season As Hitting Coach

Barry Bonds will be fired after just one season as Miami Marlins hitting coach, according to a published report.

Report: Marlins Fire Barry Bonds After One Season As Hitting Coach

Per the Miami Herald, the Marlins also dismissed third base coach Lenny Harris and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius in addition to Bonds.

Bonds, 52, Major League Baseball’s single-season and all-time home run leader, was brought in by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria after the 2015 season — his first job since his retirement with the team — to improve an offense that ranked second-to-last in MLB in runs scored. Bonds was praised for his work with young hitters like Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna.

In 2016, that number was minimally ameliorated, as Miami ranked 27th in runs.

After Bonds’ first year, the offense also ranked fourth in the majors with a .263 batting average, 13th with a .322 on-base percentage and 27th with a .394 slugging percentage.

Although the main reason for Bonds’ firing remains unknown, there reportedly has been some tension building between him and manager Don Mattingly, as well as with star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. In August, Mattingly called out Bonds for his lack of effort.

SiriusXM’s Craig Mish discussed the rift on Twitter.

Yelich enjoyed a breakout season, recording career highs of 21 home runs and 98 RBIs.

Bonds, who was hounded during his playing career by allegations of using performance-enhancing drugs, shared coaching duties with Frank Menechino.

The Marlins (79-82, 3rd in NL East) missed a chance at the playoffs this year. Miami lost to Washington 10-7 in their final game on Sunday.

Caption:JUPITER, FL – FEBRUARY 23: New hitting coach Barry Bonds #25 of the Miami Marlins during a team workout on February 23, 2016 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena