Barry Bonds pays tribute to godfather Willie Mays

Willie Mays left us at the age of 93 this Tuesday, but his legacy as one of baseball’s brightest stars will endure forever.

For most of his illustrious career, Mays graced the field in the Giants’ iconic black and orange before a brief stint with the Mets. His greatness transcends mere statistics; Mays is immortalized in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown, forever linked with another Giants MVP outfielder.

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Interestingly, Mays played a pivotal role in the life of Barry Bonds, the godfather to the slugger who arguably stands alongside him as one of the greatest all-around players in MLB history. Bonds, renowned for holding baseball’s homerun record amidst some controversy, grew up under Mays’ influence and eventually carved his own path of stardom within the same franchise.

But how did Mays become Bonds’ godfather? Here’s the intriguing tale of their connection, delving into their shared Giants lineage and comparing the remarkable statistics of these two iconic sluggers.

 

Why is Willie Mays Barry Bonds’ godfather?

Barry Bonds’ connection with Willie Mays runs deep, rooted in their shared history within the Giants family and a bond that transcends mere baseball admiration.

Bonds’ early years were steeped in baseball culture, shaped by his father Bobby Bonds’ career with the Giants starting in 1968. It was during this time that young Barry, just four years old when his father joined the team, began frequenting the Giants’ locker room. There, he’d engage in playful antics with none other than Willie Mays himself, the legendary outfielder who took both Bobby and Barry under his wing.

As their relationship blossomed, it was Bobby’s wife Pat who eventually asked Mays to take on the role of Barry’s godfather, sealing a lifelong familial connection between the Bonds and Mays families.

Upon hearing of Mays’ passing, Barry Bonds, now 59, poured out his emotions on Instagram, expressing profound devastation and gratitude. In his heartfelt tribute, Bonds credited Mays for shaping him into the person he is today, underscoring the profound influence Mays had on his upbringing and career.

Throughout Barry Bonds’ illustrious tenure in baseball, Willie Mays remained a steadfast presence. Mays’ guidance and support were pivotal, extending beyond the diamond. When Bonds made the decision to sign with San Francisco in 1992, Mays’ influence reportedly played a significant role. In a gesture of utmost respect, Mays even offered Bonds his retired No. 24 jersey, symbolizing a passing of the torch from one Giants legend to another. Bonds, opting for a slight alteration, chose to wear No. 25 during his tenure with the Giants, honoring both his godfather and his own unique journey.

The bond between Mays and Bonds was further cemented by Bobby Bonds’ passing in 2003. Before his death, Bobby entrusted Willie with a solemn request: “You’ve got to take care of Barry.” Mays embraced this role with dedication, becoming not just a mentor but a pillar of support during pivotal moments in Bonds’ life and career.

Reflecting on their enduring relationship, Barry Bonds acknowledged the pivotal role Willie Mays played in his life, especially during the difficult period following his father’s passing. Mays stepped into the role of a coach and confidant, providing guidance and solace through their shared passion for baseball and their shared love for the Giants.

In the annals of baseball history, the legacy of Willie Mays and Barry Bonds remains intertwined, a testament to the enduring power of mentorship, familial bonds, and the profound impact of legends upon the game and the lives they touch.

 

Willie Mays vs. Barry Bonds career stats

 

Willie Mays Stats Barry Bonds
3,005 Games 2,986
12,545 PA 12,606
10,924 AB 9,847
2,068 Runs 2,227
3,293 Hits 2,935
660 HR 762
1,909 RBI 1,996
339 SB 514
.301 BA .298
.384 OBP .444
.557 SLG .607
24* All-Star 14
2 MVP 7
12 Gold Glove 8
1 World Series 0

 

 

Willie Mays career stats

Year Team Games PA AB R H HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
1948 Birmingham Black Barons 13 48 43 6 10 0 6 1 .233 .313 .326
1951 New York Giants 121 524 464 59 127 20 68 7 .274 .356 .472
1952 New York Giants 34 144 127 17 30 4 23 4 .236 .326 .409
1954 New York Giants 151 641 565 119 195 41 110 8 .345 .411 .667
1955 New York Giants 152 670 580 123 185 51 127 24 .319 .400 .659
1956 New York Giants 152 651 578 101 171 36 84 40 .296 .369 .557
1957 New York Giants 152 669 585 112 195 35 97 38 .333 .407 .626
1958 San Francisco Giants 152 685 600 121 208 29 96 31 .347 .419 .583
1959 San Francisco Giants 151 649 575 125 180 34 104 27 .313 .381 .583
1960 San Francisco Giants 153 669 595 107 190 29 103 25 .319 .381 .585
1961 San Francisco Giants 154 659 572 129 176 40 123 18 .308 .393 .584
1962 San Francisco Giants 162 706 621 130 189 49 141 18 .304 .384 .615
1963 San Francisco Giants 157 671 596 115 187 38 103 8 .314 .380 .582
1964 San Francisco Giants 157 665 578 121 171 47 111 19 .296 .383 .607
1965 San Francisco Giants 157 638 558 118 174 52 112 9 .317 .398 .645
1966 San Francisco Giants 152 629 552 99 159 37 103 5 .288 .268 .536
1967 San Francisco Giants 141 544 486 83 128 22 70 6 .263 .334 .453
1968 San Francisco Giants 148 573 498 84 144 23 79 12 .289 .372 .488
1969 San Francisco Giants 117 459 403 64 114 13 58 6 .283 .362 .437
1970 San Francisco Giants 139 566 478 94 139 28 83 5 .291 .390 .506
1971 San Francisco Giants 136 537 417 82 113 18 61 23 .271 .425 .482
1972 Giants/Mets 88 309 244 35 61 8 22 4 .250 .400 .402
1973 New York Mets 66 239 209 24 44 6 25 1 .211 .303 .344
Career 3005 12545 10924 2068 3293 660 1909 339 .301 .384 .557

 

 

Barry Bonds career stats

Year Team Games PA AB R H HR RBI SB BA OBP SLG
1986 Pittsburgh Pirates 113 484 413 72 92 16 48 36 .223 .330 .416
1987 Pittsburgh Pirates 150 611 551 99 144 25 59 32 .261 .329 .492
1988 Pittsburgh Pirates 144 614 538 97 152 24 58 17 .283 .368 .491
1989 Pittsburgh Pirates 159 679 580 96 144 19 58 32 .248 .351 .426
1990 Pittsburgh Pirates 151 621 519 104 156 33 114 52 .301 .406 .565
1991 Pittsburgh Pirates 153 634 510 95 149 25 116 43 .292 .410 .514
1992 Pittsburgh Pirates 140 612 473 109 147 34 103 39 .311 .456 .624
1993 San Francisco Giants 159 674 539 129 181 46 123 29 .336 .458 .677
1994 San Francisco Giants 112 474 391 89 122 37 81 29 .312 .426 .647
1995 San Francisco Giants 144 635 506 109 149 33 104 31 .294 .431 .577
1996 San Francisco Giants 158 675 517 122 159 42 129 40 .308 .461 .615
1997 San Francisco Giants 159 690 532 123 155 40 101 37 .291 .446 .585
1998 San Francisco Giants 156 697 552 120 167 37 122 28 .303 .438 .609
1999 San Francisco Giants 102 434 355 91 93 34 83 15 .262 .389 .617
2000 San Francisco Giants 143 607 480 129 147 49 106 11 .306 .440 .688
2001 San Francisco Giants 153 664 476 129 156 73 137 13 .328 .515 .863
2002 San Francisco Giants 143 612 403 117 149 46 110 9 .370 .582 .799
2003 San Francisco Giants 130 550 390 111 133 45 90 7 .341 .529 .749
2004 San Francisco Giants 147 617 373 129 135 45 101 6 .362 .609 .812
2005 San Francisco Giants 14 52 42 8 12 5 10 0 .286 .404 .667
2006 San Francisco Giants 130 493 367 74 99 26 77 3 .270 .454 .545
2007 San Francisco Giants 126 477 340 75 94 28 66 5 .276 .480 .565
Career 2,986 12,606 9,847 2,227 2,935 762 1,996 514 .298 .444 .607