Barry Bonds, Willie Mays’ godson, attends Birmingham game
Jun 20, 2024, 8:52 PM | Updated: Jun 21, 2024, 8:45 am
(Photo by Casey Sykes/Getty Images)
Barry Bonds paid tribute to his late godfather, Willie Mays, by attending the San Francisco Giants’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday in Birmingham, Ala.
The contest at Rickwood Field had long been scheduled as a salute to the Negro Leagues, but the focus sharpened on Tuesday when Mays died at age 93.
Mays, who was born in Alabama, began his pro career playing for the Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood Field. He later spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career with the Giants, the same team for which Bonds starred decades later.
“I knew I needed to come here,” Bonds said of Rickwood, according to USA Today. “This is what he would have wanted. It’s pretty cool being here. I appreciate what’s going on.”
Bonds admitted he was struggling to deal with his emotions regarding Mays’ death.
Nobody had a closer seat to Willie Mays’ greatness than Barry Bonds.@BarryBonds sits down to talk about his lifelong relationship with his godfather pic.twitter.com/SZ2mnr2ZFu
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 20, 2024
“It’s still so hard,” he said. “Normal conversations, I’m good. I’m not ready for the other ones right now. I’m trying. I really am trying, but it’s hard right now.”
USA Today reported that Bonds’ visit to Rickwood included a meeting with Giants officials and a photo session with other former baseball players at a plaque honoring Mays.
“What’s happening here is good,” Bonds said. “With everything happening right now, it’s really, really good. This is a great moment.
“It’s a great day for baseball, period.”
The Cardinals won the game 6-5.
–Field Level Media
Upcoming schedule for the San Francisco Giants
- Thursday, June 20th-Sunday, June 23rd – @ St. Louis Cardinals
- Monday, June 24th-Thursday, June 27th – vs. Chicago Cubs
- Friday, June 28th-Sunday, June 30th – vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
- Tuesday, July 2nd-Thursday, July 4th – @ Atlanta Braves
- Friday, July 5th-Sunday, July 7th – @ Cleveland Guardians
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