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Former Philadelphia Phillies star pitcher Ricky Bottalico was scheduled to watch the MLB Home Run Derby on Monday night.
The pre-show that aired on Netflix that included Elle Duncan, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo rehashed Bonds’ fight with Bottalico in 1998. Bottalico threw Bonds during a game between the Phillies and the San Francisco Giants, sparking the only time Bonds charged the mound.
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Ricky Bottalico of the Philadelphia Phillies throws during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Jonathan Kirn/Allsport)
While Duncan said Bottalico swore the pitch got away from him, Bonds denied it.
“No, that didn’t happen, that didn’t go away,” Bonds said. “He’s a good pitcher and he’s a good man. In that situation, it was part of the game of baseball in those days, and I accepted it.”
Bottalico pushed back on Duncan’s suggestion that the ball had slipped away from him as he appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic Tuesday before the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
“It’s a blatant lie.” he said. “I told the story on this show, I told the story on NBC Sports Philadelphia, I told the story. I was told to go in and hit Barry Bonds. It’s that simple.
Elle Duncan attends the 7th Annual Sports Power Brunch: Celebrating the Most Influential Women in Sports at the Four Seasons San Francisco on February 4, 2026, in San Francisco, California. (Jeff Schear/Getty Images)
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“When it happens, in the papers the next day and all that at the time, I had to say I didn’t do it on purpose, otherwise I’m suspended for a month. It’s as simple as that. Yes, you had to lie at that time.”
Bottalico said he returned to the locker room and his coaches told him, “Don’t tell me you did it on purpose.”
“She, fake, fake, fake, oh, did I say fake? False,” he added.
Bottalico said the team was frustrated with Bonds because he stole a base when the Giants were up seven. He said he wasn’t even supposed to pitch that day because he was coming off surgery and had already made an appearance the night before.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ricky Bottalico is pictured in action on the mound. (RVR Photos/USA TODAY Sports)
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The right-hander made one All-Star appearance during his career – the 1996 season. That year, he had a 3.65 ERA in 69 appearances. He played five straight years for the Phillies before becoming a journeyman in the league.
