Willie Mays Returns to Rickwood Field! Why Willie wouldn't let Barry Bonds sign with the Yankees!

[@kenglance1647]

Great video. Loved the pics you chose. And especially enjoyed hearing about Willie’s visit. Saw the game on Thursday. Thank you.

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

Thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@gdellshindig8955]

Loved the video sir...packed with great info!

[@BaseballPlayer0]

he's wrong. mays died

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

​@BaseballPlayer0 Yes, Sadly Willie died tonight. But "he's" not wrong. Watch the video, and you'll understand. That said, I may change the thumbnail in the morning in light of his passing.

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

Thank you. I'm very sad tonight as many of us are. But having been able to spend some time with Willie makes me feel both very thankful and appreciative, but also it hurts a little deeper. I appreciate you watching.

[@jacksteinberg2150]

OK I just saw your video and had to say that I had never heard that Barry wanted to sign with the Yankees. I assume this was in 2007 when his contract with the Giants had come to an end. Barry had a great year in 2007 and didn't want to retire. But the Giants were under tremendous pressure from MLB to not renew his contract due to the outcry over the PED issue.

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

@jacksteinberg2150 I had never heard it as well. I think I was off on the timeline a bit because the visit with Willie was in 2002. But it came from Willie's mouth. If I had to guess, it could have been something as simple as Barry thinking aloud or just asking for family advice, rather than actual negotiations. I recall being surprised to hear it, but being thoroughly entertained by how he told the story. I wasn't going to grill him on the details, of course. I hope you enjoyed the video.

[@jacksteinberg2150]

@@VintageBaseballCorner Oh I was way off then because I forgot about Willie having said this in 2002. It may have been in reference to one of Barry's contract negotiations with the Giants.

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

@jacksteinberg2150 That's my fault because I was thinking from memory that it was near the end of Bonds career and stated something to that effect in the video. Obviously, 2002 would have meant it was a little earlier.

[@jacksteinberg2150]

@@VintageBaseballCorner Barry must have discussed with Willie the possibility of joining the Yankees after his contract with the Giants expired. Willie put the kibosh on that idea. Hence the remark about going to the Yankees would tarnish his legacy.

[@VintageBaseballCorner]

@jacksteinberg2150 That's kinda what Ive cleaned from it, especially after looking at the timeline and looking back. But the biggest thing I got was how Willie told the story, almost like he was chiding a young kid. Which I'm sure is at least partially how he saw Barry, even as an adult.