CHICAGO – Barry Bonds returned to the San Francisco Giants’ starting lineup Thursday for the series finale against the Chicago Cubs.

Bonds missed two of the first three games completely while nursing his sore legs and pinch hit Tuesday night, the first time he hadn’t started three in a row since sitting five straight games from June 7-11, 2006.

“I’m good,” Bonds said while heading out to the field before the game on a breezy, foggy day at Wrigley Field.

The fans started booing Bonds lustily before he even took the field, hollering in displeasure when his name was announced with the starting lineups.

Bonds entered the game with 751 home runs, four shy of Hank Aaron’s record _ though he hadn’t hit one since July 3 at Cincinnati, a span of 24 at-bats. He also was mired in a season-worst 0-for-21 slump, two off his career high set during his rookie season in 1986. The latest funk was his longest since a hitless stretch of the same length from April 5-12, 2001 _ the year he broke Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record with 73.

Bonds, who turns 43 on Tuesday, was in an 0-for-17 slump before hitting his 746th homer against the Rockies on May 27.

He doesn’t seem too concerned _ it would make Bonds more happy if the last-place Giants got back to winning consistently. He waved at a young boy in a Giants uniform near the San Francisco dugout, then sat down to chat and reflect on what could be one of his final games in Wrigley Field _ if not the last.

The seven-time NL MVP has repeatedly said he plans to play in 2008, but could change his mind and retire or might make a move to the American League as a designated hitter. He said he appreciates the history of Wrigley Field despite the 93-year-old ballpark’s need for a facelift.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)