SAN FRANCISCO -- Because of his link as a Major League ballplayer to Barry Bonds, Fred Lewis felt drawn to AT&T Park this weekend.
So Lewis, who lives near Hattiesburg, Miss., paid his own way to fly here from New Orleans to take in the scene as the Giants retire Bonds' jersey No. 25 in pregame ceremonies Saturday.
• Remembering Bonds' 5 biggest Giants homers
Plenty of Giants alumni will be on hand to honor Bonds, such as Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry. A handful of Bonds' Giants teammates also are expected, including Will Clark, Royce Clayton, Eric Davis, Robb Nen and Kirk Rueter. Former outfielder Bobby Bonilla, Bonds' chum in Pittsburgh, and Jim Leyland, who managed the all-time home run leader there, are expected to be on hand.
But Lewis stands alone. Because this, for him, was a pilgrimage.
"I just came here to see this because I looked up to him," Lewis said Friday as he lounged in the Giants' dugout during batting practice.
Lewis, who played his final Major League game in 2012, played a cameo role on the night Bonds hit his 756th homer to break Hank Aaron's record. After belting the homer and preceding the following inning, Bonds ran to left field to give the crowd one more chance to cheer for him. Then Lewis trotted to left to replace him. Lewis and Bonds shared a brief hug as they traded places.
"It was his moment," said Lewis, 37. "I was congratulating him."
Bonds' ability still marvels Lewis: "He rarely missed his pitch. It was hit hard, or he put it in play. He never fouled it off."
Kelly gets callup
• The Giants selected the contract of right-hander Casey Kelly from Triple-A Sacramento.
Kelly, Sacramento's leading winner, is 10-9 with a 4.78 ERA in 23 starts. He also has compiled a 1.42 WHIP, having allowed 147 hits and 37 walks in 130 innings.
Kelly could be considered a candidate to fill the Giants' starting vacancy Saturday, though manager Bruce Bochy mentioned that Ty Blach has a "good chance" of receiving the assignment.
The Giants cleared 40-man roster room for Kelly by transferriing Johnny Cueto to the 60-day disabled list. Cueto is expected to require a year to recover from Tommy John elbow surgery, which he underwent Aug. 2.
Worth noting
• First baseman Brandon Belt (hyperextended right knee) could start his Minor League injury rehabilitation assignment with Sacramento as early as Saturday if doctors medically clear him to play by then.