Barry Bonds was a legendary slugger and one of baseball’s most polarizing figures. And he did little to change it himself. As a result, the MLB legend found himself at the center of controversy. More so when he declined to be part of an initiative to benefit the families of recently passed members of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ groundskeeping staff at the time.

Some members had hoped to raise money for their families after the groundskeeping staff had passed and made a request to the SF Giants legend. Per the book Love Me, Hate Me, Barry Bonds And The Making Of An Antihero, the author Jeff Pearlman explained how Bonds had an interesting reaction to the request from the team that drafted him and gave him a shot at the big leagues.

Barry Bonds Ruffled Up Some Feathers Even for a Noble Cause

Bonds’ indifferent attitude to all those around him made him a controversial figure. When the Pirates’ team photographers, Dave Arrigo and Pete Diana, had approached several visiting star players to sign a few photographs to help raise money for the passed groundskeepers, most had obliged.

The likes of Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson and others had all willingly obliged such requests to support those working behind the scenes of the game they loved. But the response of the Home Run King was completely opposite.

When the request reached Bonds, he vehemently denied any involvement in the initiative. Said Bonds, “I ain’t signing sh*t” as he walked away. While the Pirates’ photographers had requested several MLB stars, most had willingly consented to the same. However, the club staff was not surprised.

Said Diana, “The sad thing is, I knew he probably wouldn’t sign. But we just thought, ‘Why not ask him, since he played here and knew these guys.”

With Diana adding on more, “Why should he take time out to help a couple of families that lost their father and husband? Why should Barry give a f*ck about anybody?”

Read More: “Franklin Meant Everything to Me…”- When Losing His Bodyguard Shattered Giants Legend Barry Bonds’ Hard Exterior

Bonds was not just like this all the time. He often went out of his way to make sure that people liked him, too.

Bonds Flew to Ottawa to Thank the Original Maple Bat Company

The instance was even more interesting simply because just a few months prior before the start of the 2001 season, the controversial athlete had taken a trip to Ottawa, Canada to thank his bat company supplier, The Original Maple Bat Company.

He had spoken at length on behalf of the company’s President Sam Holman to show his gratitude for the bats he had used in his record-breaking season.

While there, Bonds had signed several bats for his hardy supplier and had publicly thanked the company, fondly called Sam’s Bats, for their consistent supply of hardy and reliable bats. Some say he even moved the founder to tears and signed bats until his hand ached.

However, at the same time, he refused to sign the bats at home, even for a great cause. The incidents juxtaposed are virtually identical but showcase the two sides of Barry Bonds. An enigma if ever there was one!

Watch This Story: From Unforeseen Beginnings to Unstoppable Greatness – The Story of Barry Bonds