Trending Now - Barry Bonds Discloses Steinbrenner's Ultimatum That Altered MLB

WHO:

Manny Randhawa, reporter for MLB.com

Tony Vitello, 40th manager in Giants history, hired in October 2025

Barry Bonds, MLB icon and all-time home run leader

George Steinbrenner, legendary Yankees owner (1973-2010)

Dennis Gilbert, Bonds' agent

San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees

WHAT:

The Giants were shut out by the Yankees, 7-0, in their Opening Night matchup on March 25th, 2026.

Giants ace Logan Webb allowed seven runs (six earned) with seven strikeouts over five innings.

Webb collected his 1,000th career strikeout during the game.

Barry Bonds disclosed that he was close to signing with the New York Yankees in 1992.

Steinbrenner offered Bonds the largest contract in baseball history at that time.

Bonds was a free agent after seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and had won two National League MVP Awards.

Bonds stated, “Well, I would’ve been a Yankees [player],” regarding the offer.

Bonds hung up the phone after being given an ultimatum to sign the contract by 2:00 PM on the same day.

Bonds went on to win five more MVP Awards and hit 586 home runs with the Giants.

WHERE:

Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

Bronx, New York (Yankees' location)

WHEN:

The Giants' Opening Night matchup occurred on March 25th, 2026.

The phone call from Steinbrenner occurred during the offseason of 1992.

Bonds recounted the story during the sixth inning of the Opening Night matchup on March 25th, 2026.

WHY:

Vitello stated, “Whichever phase you pick out, we just weren't as good as we're capable of being tonight.”

Bonds hung up due to the ultimatum given by Steinbrenner, which he found unacceptable.

HOW:

The Yankees' left-hander Max Fried earned the win after working 6 1/3 innings against the Giants.

Bonds received a phone call from Steinbrenner with a contract offer that included a strict deadline for signing.

(UPDATED March 26, 2026 15:22 UTC)

The Giants faced a tough start to their season, getting shut out by the Yankees, 7-0, during their Opening Night matchup at Oracle Park in San Francisco on March 25, 2026. Giants ace Logan Webb struggled, allowing seven runs, six of which were earned, while striking out seven batters over five innings, although he did reach a milestone with his 1,000th career strikeout. Manager Tony Vitello acknowledged the team's performance, stating, “Whichever phase you pick out, we just weren't as good as we're capable of being tonight.”

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(UPDATED March 26, 2026 07:20 UTC)

During the sixth inning of the Opening Night matchup on March 25, 2026, Barry Bonds revealed that he was close to signing with the New York Yankees back in 1992 when George Steinbrenner offered him the largest contract in baseball history at that time. Bonds, who had just finished seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and won two National League MVP Awards, stated, “Well, I would’ve been a Yankees [player],” but ultimately hung up the phone after being given an ultimatum to sign by 2:00 PM that same day. He went on to achieve even greater success with the San Francisco Giants, winning five more MVP Awards and hitting 586 home runs.