The San Francisco Giants shocked the baseball world a few days ago when they traded for star third baseman Rafael Devers. Devers spoke about the rich history of the Giants at his introductory press conference. He also mentioned the presence of a special person in attendance: Barry Bonds.
The franchise icon attended the press conference to officially welcome Devers to the organization. To Bonds, it’s about honoring the standard set by his godfather, Willie Mays.
Barry Bonds Wants to Honor Willie Mays’ Legacy
Bonds’ role as a special advisor and ambassador for the Giants is something he takes very seriously. Bonds told the local media that he is committed to carrying Mays’ legacy. Bonds said that “he would want me at the ballpark. He would want me to help the guys and give back to the organization.” As special advisor and ambassador, Bonds is an active presence at community events and also provides guidance to players coming up through the minor league system.
Bonds wants to make sure that newer generations of baseball fans don’t forget about Mays, who is considered one of the top five baseball players of all time. Mays was a teammate of Bonds’ father, Bobby, on the Giants and mentored Bonds as he rewrote baseball’s record books.
Mays played 21 seasons with the Giants and made the All-Star Game every year. He also won a World Series with the Giants in 1954, while making his signature catch that is considered one of the greatest plays in baseball history. Mays won two National League Most Valuable Player Awards and 12 Gold Gloves.
Willie Mays might’ve just left us but “The Catch” will live on forever pic.twitter.com/cWpyrK6GTN
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) June 19, 2024
He passed the torch to Bonds, who signed a lucrative free agent deal with the Giants in 1993. Mays initially gave Bonds his blessing to wear the number 24, which the Giants retired, but Bonds decided to wear the number 25, the number his father wore on the Giants.
Barry Bonds 1993 (NL MVP)
.336
46 HRs
123 RBIs
126 Walks pic.twitter.com/2gUmhsh12j— Reverend Hella 😉Oh Testify (@HellaADZ) April 12, 2025
Bonds won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in his first season with the Giants after hitting .336 with 46 home runs and 123 runs batted in. Bonds would go on to win four more MVP awards, make 12 All-Star Games, win five Gold Gloves, and retire as baseball’s career home run record holder while the most wins above replacement in history.
Now, Bonds will be there to help Devers accomplish the type of success in a Giants uniform that he accomplished, as well as his godfather.