
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.
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 |