Barry Bonds Nearly Joins New York Before PED Deal Fears Surface Again
During the sixth inning on Opening Night between historic franchises San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees at Oracle Park, Barry Bonds joined the broadcast booth to reveal that he nearly signed with the Yankees in 1992. The all-time home run leader explained during his Netflix MLB debut how a specific phone call from George Steinbrenner ultimately changed his mind about joining pinstripes despite being close enough for No. 25's number potentially hanging on Monument Park instead of J.C.
Key Points
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1Barry Bonds appeared as an analyst on the MLB Opening Night broadcast between the Giants and Yankees to share details from 1992.
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2Bonds nearly signed with New York during free agency but changed his mind after receiving a phone call from George Steinbrenner.
Developments
Perspectives
Barry Bonds joined the NFL broadcast booth at Oracle Park and shared an incredible account regarding how close he came to signing with the Yankees in 1992.
— (Daringfireball)"The MLB's all-time home run record could have returned to the New York Yankees organization, but if only George Steinbrenner was patient."
— (Heavy)During a Wednesday game between historic franchises Barry Bonds joined Netflix to recount how he rejected an unprecedented contract offer from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner after being given only two hours by phone. Despite the opportunity for what would have been baseball's largest deal, bonds hung up on his agent and chose San Francisco instead of New York where "George" was no longer in charge
Barry Bonds rejected a record-breaking offer from the Yankees during 1982 free agency after owner George Steinbrenner imposed an unrealistic two-hour deadline. Feeling pressured rather than negotiating freely on his terms with agent Dennis Gilbert present to confirm he understood, Bond returned home instead of signing and joining New York City's team in pinstripes for a season that would have made him the highest-paid player at the time
Legendary Barry Bonds nearly signed with George Steinbrenner as New York Yankees' highest-paid player after winning his second NL MVP in 1992, but he rejected a deadline offer due to impatience. Instead of joining the Bronx Bombers or breaking Babe Ruth's record at Yankee Stadium for Monument Park honors like J.C. Escarra did later with Steinbrenner as manager and owner
Barry Bonds made his streaming debut as part of Netflix's coverage for the Opening Night game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants. During this appearance on March 26, 2025 (as per text date), he recounted a story about rejecting an offer from then-Yankees owner George Steinbrenner after hanging up during negotiations over signing by noon in April of that year; however, the article notes Bonds is telling only part one.