The baseball world lost an icon Tuesday after Giants great Willie Mays died at the age of 93.
For Barry Bonds, Mays was so much more.
Bonds paid tribute to his late godfather with a heartfelt post on Instagram shortly after news broke of Mays' passing.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
"I am beyond devastated and overcome with emotion," Bonds wrote. "I have no words to describe what you mean to me -- you helped shape me to be who I am today. Thank you for being my Godfather and always being there. Give my dad a hug for me. Rest in peace Willie, I love you forever."
Mays was teammates with Barry's father, Bobby Bonds, on the Giants from 1968-1972 and had a major influence on Barry's career.
San Francisco Giants
Find the latest San Francisco Giants news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
The baseball world joins Bonds in mourning the passing of such a monumental figure.