BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The feelings are nonetheless too uncooked, Barry Bonds says, to speak about his godfather, the late Willie Mays, however he knew he wanted to be on the Rickwood Area sport Thursday with the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals.
“It’s nonetheless so laborious,’’ mentioned Bonds, whose father, Bobby Bonds, was better of associates with Mays. “Regular conversations, I’m good. I’m not prepared for the opposite ones proper now. I’m attempting. I actually am attempting, nevertheless it’s laborious proper now.
“However I knew I wanted to return right here. That is what he would have needed. It’s fairly cool being right here. I recognize what’s occurring.’’
That is the place Mays grew up, simply two miles away from Rickwood Area, and that is the place he started his skilled profession, enjoying with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues.
Bonds heard the entire tales about Rickwood Area from Mays, so many who he virtually felt like he’d already been right here, however this week is the primary time he is ever set foot on the sphere.
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“I can have conversations about these items, and issues like this, I’m fairly good,’’ Bonds mentioned. “So long as we keep out of the opposite class [talking about Mays’ passing], I’m not so good but.’’
Bonds stopped, pointed to his head and mentioned, “What number of instances have you ever seen me carrying a hat and sun shades? It’s for an excellent motive.’’
Bonds, baseball’s all-time dwelling run chief with 762, laughed.
He arrived in Birmingham on Wednesday, stopped by the celeb softball sport, visited with Giants officers and spent 10 minutes standing by Mays’ Corridor of Fame plaque, taking photos with former MLB stars who had come to honor the Negro Leagues.
“What’s occurring right here is sweet,’’ Bonds mentioned. “With every part occurring proper now, it is actually, actually good. This can be a nice second.
“It’s an excellent day for baseball, interval.’’
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