“I’m a Loner…”: Barry Bonds Reveals How His Mother’s Words Helped Him Overcome Being a Loner to Grasp a Top Opportunity in 2016

Barry Bonds is an aloof character. The San Francisco Giants legend found social interaction difficult. As a result, he spent much of his career happily in his own company rather than that of others. To put it simply, he was a loner, something Bonds admitted in his own words. But his mother helped him overcome that hurdle to grasp a top opportunity in 2016. 

By the time his career ended, teams had seemingly pushed Bonds out of the League. But in late 2015, an opportunity presented him with a way back. Although the Giants’ legend had initial doubts, his mother’s encouragement helped him overcome them. 

Barry Bonds took the Miami Marlins coaching job with his mother’s help

In 2015, Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria presented Barry Bonds with the chance to become the team’s hitting coach. Bonds took up the job in December 2015, shocking the media and MLB insiders. But he had some reservations about the position, which his mother helped with. While appearing on Forever Giants in 2018, he revealed the role his mother played. Bonds also showed the process of how he was offered the job. 

During the interview, Bonds said, “Well, Lori called me up and asked me if I wanted to do it. You know my first reaction was like, ‘You lost your mind.” The Giants legend then further said, “And then I went back to these voices about my dad saying if you want to learn something, you have to get in the fire first.” Bonds then opened up about his mother’s involvement.

He said, “My mom was just like, I said, ‘I want to do it for dad. Kind of like what my dad taught me, you know?’ I said, ‘Mom, I’m not a social person. I’m, I’m a loner. I don’t really talk that much, so what am I gonna say to them?’ My mom was just like, ‘You might be better than you think, son. If you don’t try, you don’t know.’” 

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Fortunately, the Giants legend felt convinced by his mother’s words and took the job. He wanted to pass on his knowledge, which he was proud of. Although he seemed fired up at the time, unfortunately, it did not end well for Bonds with the Marlins. 

Bonds lost his job after one season

Despite his top-level baseball knowledge and the confidence of a then-Marlins superstar, Barry Bonds failed. The Marlins relieved him of his services after one year on the job. They failed to make the playoffs and had a losing season with a 79-82 win-loss record. Furthermore, they fired third base coach Lenny Harris and bullpen coach Reid Cornelius, Bonds not being the only casualty that year. 

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But Barry Bonds tried to do it despite his lackluster year with the Marlins. Furthermore, his mother played a massive role in him making that step. What do you think of the story shared by the Giants’ legend?