Mayor Terry D’Arcy , The city officials, the Joliet Slammers organization, and members of the community recognized Barfield’s extraordinary baseball career and, more importantly, the lasting impact he has made on generations of athletes and the Joliet community. Born and raised in Joliet, Barfield began his baseball journey at Belmont Little League before graduating from Joliet Central High School and going on to enjoy a distinguished 12-year Major League Baseball career with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. He recalled standing beside young Jesse , years ago at a batting cage when Jesse confidently looked over and said, “This is going to pay off.” Jesse Barfield’s story reminds us that greatness doesn’t always begin with a dream of playing professional baseball. For Joliet, Jesse Barfield will always be more than a baseball legend.