Watch Bonds get emotional during Giants’ tribute to Willie Mays, originally on NBC Sports Bay Area
Everyone at Oracle Park on Monday night – regardless of the team they were rooting for or playing for – was immersed in the emotions of San Francisco’s moving pregame ceremony honoring Willie Mays.
But perhaps no one felt the emotions as strongly as Barry Bonds, the great Barry Bonds.
As the Giants played a special tribute video to Mays on the jumbotron before Monday’s series opener against the Chicago Cubs, cameras captured Bonds, like many others, unable to hide his emotions from the moving tribute.
Bonds repeatedly held his head down and shook it in pain as his eyes watered. Finally, he couldn’t stop the tears from falling down his face as he gently wiped them away.
Mays, considered the greatest player of all time, died last week at the age of 93.
For Bonds, however, the baseball icon was so much more.
Mays was Bonds’ godfather and inspiration, both on and off the field. Shortly after his death, Bonds shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram page.
“I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion,” Bonds wrote. “I have no words to describe what you mean to me – you have helped me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug from me. Rest in Peace Willie, I love you forever.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8YLsFMvPVi
Giants players and coaches wore a No. 24 jersey during Monday’s game. It was a small effort to continue the legacy of someone who had such a big impact on the organization, the city and life.
And Bonds hopes to do the same.
Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast
