Mets slugger Dominic Smith did a live Q&A with Barry Bonds on Major League Baseball’s Instagram account as part of their continued focus on Black History Month.

Question (Dominic Smith)

Did you face the same prejudices when you played that we face today?

Answer (Barry Bonds)

“We all go through the same experiences.” He explained that his father and grandfather grew up dealing with prejudice and that every generation of African Americans have gone through it, but that today’s generation is able to dictate it in a positive way by standing together as a unit and standing up for themselves.

He went on to say that today’s generation of players (and people) have the opportunity as a whole to make a change, to take a stand and say that enough is enough. The younger generation is dictating what is going on, explained Bonds, who explained that even the white society is stepping up to the plate and dictating the experiences of racial prejudice and how it’s handled today.

Question (Smith)

How can we get the youth to get back into baseball and back into the game?

Answer (Bonds)

“It has to be a whole unit, and Major League baseball has to be a part of it. Bats and gloves are not cheap. It’s difficult to accumulate the things you need to participate. It takes a unit to be able to do it.” He explained that baseball needs than just the players to create the avenue and open up that door in a broader and wider perspective.

Smith agreed with Bonds, stating that it is going to take help from different avenues and a unit to help get the younger generations back in the game.

Question (Smith)

How did you stay so locked in at the plate?

Answer (Bonds)

“My biggest mentor was Tony Gwynn. I learned from him and created my own person.” Bonds also explained how he mastered batting practice and took batting practice very seriously. A big key he learned from Gwynn was just that, taking practice seriously and understanding the concept of hitting. Bonds stated that he worked with the hitting and pitching coaches to take batting practice to another level, making it situational and always working on weakness and the game part of hitting to improve his overall game and approaches at the plate.

Bonds also used this portion of the show to explain that he did research on the Mets’ Dominic Smith, saying that he’s a four plus hitter and that even since he started playing, Smith has improved and gotten more patient at the plate. Bonds advised Smith to focus on putting the ball in the play and not swinging for the fences, stating that if you were to ever come off of the bench, a coach is going to go with the guy who they know can put the ball in play.

Question (Smith)

As one of the best players ever, whenever you walked into an opposing stadium, did you ever put any extra pressure on yourself? How did you drown out the “noise?”

Answer (Bonds)

“You always have a little bit of pressure and put pressure on yourself. You want to be that guy.” Bonds explained that through the years players mature and as time goes on, you start wondering why opposing teams are cheering for you (the player) anyway.

“As you get older and mature and mature, the game becomes more important when your concentration level gets deeper and the noise becomes white noise and you understand who you are as a ballplayer.”

Question (Smith)

 What was your relationship with Hank Aaron and what did he mean to you?

Answer (Bonds)

“We had a great relationship, 0ur history goes so far back, it was devastating to lose him” Bonds explained that Aaron was a pioneer for the game and for African American players. He stated that without the negro league, there is no league for African American players today.

“I’m thankful for the negro league, because they pioneered the way for the rest of us and for Jackie Robinson to break the color barrier,” stated Bonds.

When talking about today’s younger generation, Bonds told Smith that players need to stick together. “You guys sometimes make these things based on followers. We didn’t have that,” stated Bonds. “We had clubhouse walls. We stuck together in my generation. This generation is more independent. As long as you guys can keep unity in the dugout and not take it out to the social media world, it will grow from there. That unity will create you guys doing things together.”

Smith replied to Bonds, “Social media is insane. To see how much Instagram and Social media has evolved is insane,” stated Smith who described that social media is what kids are following and falling into. Smith said that players need to really connect with the youth and get the kids outside playing the game.

Question (Smith)

Do you have any cool stories of being around the legends of the game?

Answer (Bonds)

Bonds told a story of being five years old with Willie Mays. Bonds stated that Mays always had a great style of catching. “Willie used to take me (to the ballpark); I watched him walk, hit, go down to right field when came out of the game and would help the outfielders,” stated Bonds. “Willie was everything to me.” Bonds explained that he used to use Mays’ glove on the wrong hand and go out and catch with his glove.

Question (Smith)

Were there any pitchers you didn’t have any luck against?

Answer (Bonds)

Question (Smith)

 Are there any pitchers today that you would want to face?

 Answer (Bonds)

 Bonds began answering this question by stating that his adjustments wouldn’t have to change as much as when he played because most guys are throwing the same speed. Bonds stated it would be small adjustments, but that at the same time if he missed the first at bat, he may not face that pitcher a second time because of how quick pitchers are now coming out of the game.

Bonds said that if he had to pick one, however, that it would be Clayton Kershaw because he liked facing lefties as a left-handed hitter. Bonds stated that he would want to go against the best, hardest pitcher.

“I like to work on my weak spots. Lefty versus lefty was always more difficult. Kershaw has a good fastball on lefties.”

Question (Smith)

Who would you say was the best player in your era? 

Answer (Bonds)

Photo from the Mets

Segment on Black History Month

Bonds stated that if you want to get to know someone that you need to spend a day in their “hood” and come hangout with them there. Bonds stated that when he came up in baseball, there were two or three African Americans on a team, it could be a two-to-twenty two ratio.

Bonds said that with the younger generation, everyone likes everyone’s music. “I’m glad times are changing,” stated Bonds.” “I want to thank you, young people for driving this force. I’m grateful for you young white kids, African American kids, Hispanic kids, for all fighting together. You’re forcing that hand to say we better jump on board.”

Bonds explained that players (current and former) have a platform here to express themselves and understand each other’s hurts. He reiterated that they all have the same experiences, just different generations. “You guys can express what we couldn’t express.”

“We’re all fighting for equality. It’s good to have a platform and that everyone respects it. Thank you for getting me a job, and not suppressing my people. You all don’t see color.”

Bonds on Smith

Bonds took a few minutes to talk to Smith about his performance at the plate, saying that just watching him, he has great drive, but that if his hands drop two inches lower, he’s going to make a mistake. Smith replied to Bonds stating that the Mets have helped him with his back swing and hitting inside pitches.

Bonds went on to explain that there’s a philosophy on hitting: “There is a specific technique. Once you learn the technique, it’s hard for you to fail and you’ll never miss the one you want,” stated Bonds who said that Smith’s swing compares to his.

Smith closed the segment saying he’s always looking for ways to improve and get better. He and Bonds agreed that one big aspect of hitting as well is to never underestimate your opponent.