Latest news with #LarryBaer
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barry Bonds statue 'is coming,' says Giants CEO Larry Baer: 'Barry is deserving of a statue'
The Hall of Fame isn't calling anytime soon. But it sounds like Barry Bonds will be immortalized in San Francisco. Giants CEO Larry Baer said Wednesday that the team does intend to erect a statue of the slugger, who smashed baseball's home run records as a Giant during the height of baseball's steroids era. Advertisement Baer broached the subject during an interview with San Francisco 95.7's "The Morning Roast." "On the radar, I would say on the radar," Baer said. "Barry is certainly deserving of a statue, and I would say should be next up. We don't have the exact location and the exact date and the exact timing." Baer went on to mention the "great relationships" that Bonds has with the Giants and more definitively declared that a Bonds statue will be built. "It's coming," Baer said. "All I can say is it's coming." As for when and where? And what it will look like? Baer didn't not expound. It sounds like an actual plan isn't in place. But the Giants boss is in support of it, so it sounds like a Bonds statue is coming. This image of Barry Bonds hitting career home run No. 756 could certainly provide some inspiration for a statue in San Francisco. (Paul Kitagaki Jr/Sacramento Bee/via Getty Images) (Sacramento Bee via Getty Images) If Bonds is, indeed, up next, his would be the fifth statue to be erected at Oracle Park. Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda all have statues around San Francisco's home stadium. Advertisement If Bonds does get a statue, his honor will bear one glaring distinction from the other five. Each of the other Giants honored with a statue is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Bonds, notably, is not. And he doesn't project to be inducted anytime soon, if ever. Bonds played 15 of his 22 MLB seasons with the Giants, a time in which he amassed 586 of his MLB record 762 home runs and launched a single-season record 73 home runs in 2001. Whether one chooses to acknowledge those records is in the eye of the beholder. Because of Bonds' association with the steroids era, many choose not to. But he hit them. And he made 12 of his 14 All-Star appearances and won five of his seven career MVPs with the Giants. Which is more than enough for the Giants to honor Bonds as they please.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers might have mentor in Barry Bonds — if he works up ‘courage to talk to him'
SAN FRANCISCO — Rafael Devers' first two days as a Giant have been pretty eventful. There were smoke cannons, a big press conference, a two-hit debut, loud ovations and a declaration that he'd play wherever Bob Melvin wanted him. One of the early highlights for Devers, though, has left him starstruck. Home run king Barry Bonds sat in the front row of Devers' press conference Wednesday and talked shop with him behind the batting cage at Oracle Park. Devers had met his fair share of legends over 1,053 games and nine seasons in Boston. But it was clear Bonds — a fellow left-handed hitter who, like Devers soon will, took frequent aim at the Bay — made an impression. Advertisement 'I met Barry Bonds,' Devers said through translator Erwin Higueros. 'I had never seen him in person... I was just, 'Wow.'' Bonds, who holds the all-time home run record with 762 homers and starred in San Francisco for the final 15 years of his career from 1993 to 2007, sat next to Giants president/CEO Larry Baer for Devers' presser and laughed at quips by Devers and president of baseball operations Buster Posey. Bonds, who has served as a special advisor to the CEO since 2017, was back at the ballpark Wednesday, sitting in the home dugout. He said he didn't know much about Devers from afar but was excited to see what he could bring to the middle of San Francisco's lineup. 'I'm very excited about that part,' Bonds said. 'I'm very excited about what he's gonna do.' Devers — who joked during his press conference that 'just looking' at Bonds would improve his game — said he was too shy to ask Bonds for much in the way of hitting tips on his first day. Advertisement 'I haven't had the courage to talk to him,' Devers said Tuesday. 'I really don't feel comfortable. I know that eventually, I will go out there and talk to him. 'I don't know him already,' Devers added. 'It's kind of hard to know what I'm going to say but I know I'm going to work on it slowly so that I become very comfortable with him and he becomes very comfortable with me.' After an ugly ending in Boston that was followed by Red Sox legends like David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez being critical of the divorce between Devers and the club, Devers is looking forward to getting to know the history of his new organization — and explore a city he's expected to call home for the next nine years until his contract expires in 2033. He even got to meet Mayor Daniel Lurie on his first day in town. 'I have heard wonderful things about the city,' he said. 'They have told me a lot of places to go visit. I'm not one that likes to go out walking but I'm hearing so much that, yeah, maybe on my day off I'll go head and explore the city.' Advertisement With the Giants, Devers will have Bonds and Posey, a six-time All-Star who won three World Series titles, at his disposal. San Francisco's coaching staff also includes team legends Pat Burrell and Matt Williams, and there's a chance J.T. Snow or Will Clark will help Devers out as he learns the intricacies of the first base position on the fly. Embracing the Giants' culture is something Devers is looking forward to in the wake of a shocking trade that ended his Red Sox tenure Sunday. 'I hope to accomplish the same things those (two) players did,' Devers said of Bonds and Posey. 'I think I have enough talent to do it. I do hope that when my time is done here in San Francisco, I have the same accolades that they have.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rafael Devers ready to put Boston situation behind and start fresh in San Francisco
San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey listens at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, left, shakes hands with Rafael Devers during a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, poses for photos with President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers puts on a jersey at a news conference before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants President & Chief Executive Officer Larry Baer, left, and former player Barry Bonds listen as Rafael Devers speaks at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers smiles while speaking at a news conference before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, smiles next to President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, smiles next to President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey listens at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, left, shakes hands with Rafael Devers during a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, poses for photos with President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers puts on a jersey at a news conference before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants President & Chief Executive Officer Larry Baer, left, and former player Barry Bonds listen as Rafael Devers speaks at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers smiles while speaking at a news conference before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers, right, smiles next to President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey at a news conference before a baseball game between the Giants and the Cleveland Guardians in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Rafael Devers strolled into the clubhouse side-by-side with home run king Barry Bonds, a fellow left-handed slugger who San Francisco's new big hitter has long admired from afar. 'I think just looking at him my game has already improved a lot,' Devers joked as he was formally introduced by the Giants on Tuesday, when he was set to be designated hitter batting third in the series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Advertisement Devers is determined to leave his own lasting mark on the franchise in what is a much-needed fresh start for him and a monumental mid-season acquisition for Buster Posey and San Francisco's front office. And whatever went wrong in Boston, Devers is done discussing any issues he had with the Red Sox and eager to move forward across the country with the Giants. 'That's in the past now, I'm looking ahead and focusing on what I have here being a San Francisco Giant,' Devers said. 'I'm eager to go out there and play and see what I can do.' With a bright smile to match his bright new No. 16 jersey, Devers insisted he will play anywhere and do whatever manager Bob Melvin and his staff ask. Advertisement 'I really like his answers by the way,' said Posey, in his first year as president of baseball operations. The Giants will take on a mega contract after Devers signed a new $331 million, 11-year deal in January 2023. He joins several other stars here with long-term contracts — shortstop Willy Adames has a seven-year, $182 million deal and third baseman Matt Chapman at $151 million over six years through 2030 — as Posey builds a roster he expects will compete for another World Series championship, like the ones the Giants won with him as their star catcher in 2010, '12 and '14. San Francisco last made the playoffs in 2021, when it won a franchise-record 107 games and edged the rival Dodgers for the NL West title on the final day. 'I think this organization has talent, they have won championships. I am here to play, to win and to win a championship,' Devers said through an interpreter. Advertisement Posey thanked ownership for its willingness to go for it and traded for Devers to boost a club that has lacked power and struggled to score runs for extended stretches this year. The trade announced Sunday came together in the past few weeks after countless hours and conversations. 'I think the persistence really paid off,' chairman Greg Johnson said. While the Giants will gradually get Devers up to speed playing the field again since he has strictly been a DH this year, they know he has plenty of mentors eager to help. Devers was scheduled to do some fielding work at first base, the very position he didn't want to play after losing his spot at third when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman to a $120 million, three-year contract in February to be their third baseman — the spot where Devers made 130 starts last year. 'When you have a guy like Barry Bonds around, arguably the greatest hitter of all-time, it's an added benefit for sure,' Posey said. Advertisement It will only be a matter of days before Devers' first reunion with the Red Sox, who visit Oracle Park for a weekend series. He was batting .271 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs over 72 games as Boston's primary DH. When asked what the differences will be as he begins anew, Devers noted: 'It's the same baseball. I'm here to give my 100%.' The 28-year-old Devers hadn't been thrilled with the idea of playing first base in Boston but thanked the people who cheered him, calling them 'great fans who supported me my whole time there.' After all the fanfare of his introduction and receiving his jersey in front of most of his teammates, who made time to be at his news conference before doing their pregame routines, Devers got to work. 'The Giants brought me here for a reason and I will give 100%,' he said. 'I'm now happy to be part of the team.' ___ AP MLB:
Reuters
18-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Giants sell 10 percent stake to private equity firm
March 18 - The San Francisco Giants have sold a reported 10 percent stake in the team to private equity firm Sixth Street. The team confirmed the deal on Tuesday but not the amount of the investment, which was first reported Monday by the New York Times. Sportico places the value of the franchise and its team-related holdings at $4.2 billion. Sixth Street's investment, reportedly approved by Major League Baseball on Monday, will go toward upgrades to Oracle Park and the Giants' training facilities in Scottsdale, Ariz., as well as Mission Rock, the team's real estate development project located across McCovey Cove from the ballpark. Giants president and CEO Larry Baer called it the "first significant investment in three decades" and said the money would not be spent on players. "This is not about a stockpile for the next Aaron Judge," Baer told the New York Times. "This is about improvements to the ballpark, making big bets on San Francisco and the community around us, and having the firepower to take us into the next generation." Sixth Street is the primary owner of National Women's Soccer League franchise Bay FC. It also has investments in the NBA's San Antonio Spurs and Spanish soccer powers Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. "We believe in the future of San Francisco, and our sports franchises like the Giants are critical ambassadors for our city of innovation, showcasing to the world what's only made possible here," Sixth Street co-founder and CEO Alan Waxman said in the news release. "We believe in Larry and the leadership team's vision for this exciting new era, and we're proud to be partnering with them as they execute the next chapter of San Francisco Giants success." Founded in 2009 and based in San Francisco, Sixth Street has assets totaling $100 billion.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baer calls for measured approach when comparing Giants to Dodgers
Baer calls for measured approach when comparing Giants to Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say. That adage rings true for the Giants right about now. San Francisco, as it prepares for the 2025 MLB season, along with 28 other teams, will look to compete with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, even if the talent gap between the two iconic franchises is wider than it has been in years. Even with the Dodgers continuing to add an array of high-end talent this offseason, months after winning a championship, Giants CEO Larry Baer doesn't believe comparing San Francisco to its Southern California counterpart is productive. 'Look, they've made a lot of good Betts — no pun intended with Mookie — and they've done good work,' Baer told 95.7 The Game's Bonta Hill and Joe Shasky on Monday morning. 'We can't focus on them, and I know it sounds like a pretty tripe thing to say, but we've got to focus on ourselves. We have 30 clubs, the years we did win championships, nobody thought we'd be there in '10, '12 and 14. The years we made the playoffs, nobody thought [we would]. 'I think you've got to look at this in a measured way, and being a .500 team last year, our focus this year is progressing dramatically. Can we turn 80 wins into 90 wins? We think we can. 92 wins, 95, whatever, and see where the chips fall where they may. We don't play the Dodgers 162 times, we play them now 12 times. If our progression goes the way we're pushing it to go, then we're fine competing with the Dodgers and we should be OK.' The Giants, fresh off an underwhelming 80-82 season in 2024, made a significant splash early on in the offseason by signing shortstop Willy Adames to a franchise-record contract before adding three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to the rotation earlier this month. However, San Francisco did lose star left-handed pitcher Blake Snell to the Dodgers this offseason, the first of many big moves Los Angeles made this winter. And while it might be hard for the Giants, and their fans, not to compare the two teams' rosters heading into the new season, Baer believes San Francisco is building something that could compete with Los Angeles for years to come. Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast
