Bonds admits he didn’t want to surpass Mays on MLB home run list originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
On his way to becoming MLB’s all-time home run leader, the former Giants outfielder Barry Bonds had to overcome his godfather, Willie Mays – something the slugger wasn’t exactly thrilled about doing.
During an interview with FOX Sports, Bonds revealed that he did not want to surpass Mays as he approached 660 career home runs in April 2004.
“I didn’t want to go past my godfather, he was my idol,” Bonds explained. “So when that phase came, I think I was a little discouraged. He was saying, ‘I’m traveling all over this place for you, you better hurry.’
Despite Bonds’ hesitation to surpass his godfather’s home run total, Mays remained steadfast with profound words of encouragement, providing the final motivation for the Giants slugger to make MLB history.
“When I did that and Willie came out with the torch, he said ‘Go on,’” Bonds explained. “He told me, ‘You’re going to break this record, don’t stop because of me.’ There’s nothing on the planet that can stop me, because that’s what he wanted and that’s what my father wanted.”
“There’s nothing on the planet that can stop me, because that’s what he wanted and that’s what my father wanted.”
Barry Bonds receiving Willie Mays’ blessing while chasing MLB home run record
– SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) June 20, 2024
One day after tying Mays with 660 home runs, Bonds hit the 661st long ball of his storied career, taking sole possession of third place on the all-time list.
Bonds would hit 101 more home runs throughout his career, retiring as MLB’s home run king with 762 – a record that still stands today.
Mays’ 660 home runs will always live on in legend, especially when you consider how many he was prevented from racking up due to the incredibly poor hitting conditions at Candlestick Park.
