In pictures: Barry Bonds returns to baseball, as temporary Giants coach

Barry Bonds broke the single-season home run record with the San Francisco Giants in 2001, hitting 73 to beat Mark McGwire's previous record of 70. Christian Petersen / Getty Images / AFP

Barry Bonds later went on to break that all-time home run record, previously held by Hank Aaron, finishing his career in 2007 with 762. Chris Carlson / AP

Bonds' achievements were later tarnished by controversy, with the slugger admitting in court trials he took substances called 'the cream' and 'the clear'. Christian Petersen / Getty Images / AFP

Despite a productive 2007 season, Bonds went unsigned by all 30 of Major League Baseball's teams and was effectively forced into retirement due to his links to steroids. Christian Petersen / Getty Images / AFP

In two years now on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot, Bonds has topped out at 36.2 per cent of the vote, primarily due to his admitted use of performance enhancing drugs during his playing days. Christian Petersen / Getty Images / AFP

Bonds' current Spring Training instructing gig with the Giants, where he spent 15 seasons as a player, is his first work in baseball since his playing career ended in 2007. Chris Carlson / AP

Baseball’s divisive all-time home run king is returning to baseball for the first time since 2007 for a one-week coaching gig with the San Francisco Giants, with whom he spent the bulk of his playing days.