Guess who we ran into at the NFC Championship Game? None other than Barry Bonds, walking in with Giants CEO Larry Baer.

Bonds appeared to be in a hurry to get through the crowds and to his seats. But Baer took a moment to chat.

Giants fans will be glad to know the team’s longtime executive thinks San Francisco’s baseball team can follow in the footsteps of its football squad.

When asked about the 49ers’ dramatic turnaround this season, going from four wins in 2018 to the cusp of the Super Bowl, Baer sounded optimistic.

“I think it’s great. ... It’s a fantastic turnaround. Big credit to everyone, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan,” said Baer, hustling through the crowd to keep up with his wife, Pam, and the Bonds party. “Who knows? Maybe a baseball team will be turning it around just like the 49ers the next couple of years.”

There you have it: Straight from the top.

You listening Farhan Zaidi?

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Al Saracevic is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: asaracevic@sfchronicle.com