NASHVILLE — As Jim Leyland faced the baseball media at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, he anticipated the question that hung in the air. The newly minted Baseball Hall of Famer, renowned for his managerial prowess, knew exactly what was coming.
Leyland, who had claimed the Manager of the Year title three times and guided the Miami Marlins to a World Series victory in 1997, was no stranger to the spotlight. He had managed the iconic Barry Bonds during the slugger’s early years with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Before the inquisitive reporter could pose the query, Leyland preemptively addressed the matter. With candor, he acknowledged, “He called me last night, [our relationship] is great,” then paused briefly before adding, “except for about five minutes one day.”
The seasoned manager, approaching his 79th birthday on December 15, played a prominent role in a now-famous video dating back to 1991. This video, initially shared online over a decade ago and still drawing significant attention, captured Leyland in the midst of a heated exchange. It was a moment during a spring training workout when Bonds, then a young and controversial talent, found himself at the receiving end of Leyland’s passionate admonishments.
Various versions of this video, along with accompanying audio clips, have garnered more than four million views on YouTube combined. In the footage, Leyland can be seen and heard passionately reprimanding Bonds with a flurry of expletives. Bonds, in response, remained mostly silent and visibly taken aback. Interestingly, Bonds would later leave the Pirates to join the San Francisco Giants.
Leyland, reflecting on that intense episode, attributed it to a misunderstanding. He admitted, “I’m not proud of that to this day. It happened. And you can’t turn away from it because everybody saw it, so you can’t act like it didn’t happen. But I’m not proud of that.”
The source of his remorse, one might wonder? Was it the fact that the incident was captured on video and shared worldwide, or was it the content of his words directed at Bonds that day? Leyland clarified, “My language was bad for the whole world to see.”
For many, the video became a point of contention, with Bonds detractors labeling him as a prima donna. Nonetheless, Leyland consistently stood by Bonds, and their bond endured. This enduring friendship prompted Bonds to reach out to Leyland on Sunday night, extending his heartfelt congratulations for the Hall of Fame induction.
Leyland received 15 out of 16 votes from the Hall of Fame’s contemporary baseball era committee, earning him a coveted spot in Cooperstown, New York. He becomes the 23rd manager to be inducted and the first since 2014.
On July 21, the baseball world will witness Jim Leyland’s formal induction into the hallowed halls of the Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable contributions to the sport.
