Old Pirates Bonds, Leyland talk fondly in spring training 25 years after infamous confrontation

Arthur Weinstein

Old Pirates Bonds, Leyland talk fondly in spring training 25 years after infamous confrontation image

New Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds caught up with his former Pirates manager, Jim Leyland, in spring training Sunday.

And many who witnessed the two talking immediately thought back to that surreal moment during spring training camp in 1991 when Leyland chewed out Bonds in a profanity-filled tirade that has since become a hit on YouTube.

First, ESPN's Katie Strang caught the heartwarming moment of Sunday's reunion.

We are guessing that the topic of conversation did not include that epic 1991 rant, when Leyland ripped into the reigning NL MVP for what he called a lack of effort. Warning: Heavy profanity.

The two had much happier times in the Steel City, winning three straight NL East titles from 1990-1992. Oddly enough, the 1991 spring training video did not really become famous until 2013, when Leyland announced his retirement as Tigers manager.

Now, the 71-year-old Leyland has plenty of time to fondly reminisce about the old days.

Although probably not that day.

 

Arthur Weinstein