About a dozen fans waited outside the player parking lot for a final chance at the slugger’s autograph. Inside the ballpark, a large logo reading “BONDS 25” was painted on the field in black over Bonds’ defensive spot.

A series of video clips — many of Bonds’ milestone home runs — were shown during the game as a tribute to No. 25. Bonds was told last Thursday by owner Peter Magowan, who also watched closely as Bonds took his cuts, he would not be re-signed for a 16th season with the Giants.

“I think there’s a lot of sadness,” executive vice president Larry Baer said Wednesday. “When you step back from the sadness, you challenge yourself to think of any other run — 15 years in one city. ... It’s a very simple two words, but thank you.”

Bonds had an MRI exam on his toe Wednesday, and he was careful when he slipped his foot into his shoes as he got dressed.

“It’s still swollen. I’m serious. It’s still sore,” Bonds said. “It is not broken. That’s good.”

Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s record with his 756th home run in this ballpark on Aug. 7. The large banners commemorating Bonds’ home run record still hang from the light posts on either side of the main center-field scoreboard.

Baer said even if Bonds plays next season in the American League, the club might consider signing him briefly so he could retire as a Giant.

Special feature Reuters Stretch run: Breaking down MLB playoff races

Mays had to leave the Giants late in his career when he was traded to the New York Mets. The Say Hey Kid was in the clubhouse before the game and in attendance for Bonds’ farewell in the waterfront ballpark where he helped bring in 3 million fans in all eight years of its existence.

“Whenever the retirement is, we’ll talk and see what he wants to do,” Baer said.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Cuban ‘not on prowl’ for Dodgers, or any team Sosa’s skin undergoing color change Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Damon, Matsui and Pettitte all could return Yankees’ Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves Scully to broadcast in 2010, then decide future Baseball GMs pass on expanding instant replay Martin, Herzog, Murtaugh and Mauch on Hall ballot Free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: