10 Amazing Facts About Barry Bonds
The all-time leader in home runs is in the news again with his ongoing battle against the MLB. Whether you love him or hate him, the man could play baseball with the best of them. Here are 10 amazing facts about Barry Bonds:
10. He's Reggie Jackson's cousin
Seriously, Bonds has a deeply-rooted baseball family tree. His father, Bobby Bonds was a long-time Giant and quite the player himself. Let's also not forget his godfather, Willie Mays.
9. He leads the league in intentional walks... by a lot
We all remember his glory days when he was walked on purpose almost half of his at-bats. He has 688 intentional walks in his career. Second place? Hank Aaron with 293. I think his record is safe.
8. He owns Guillermo Mota
The former Giant relief pitcher, Mota, faced Bonds nine times in his career. He wishes he never did, just take a look at the numbers: 1-1 with a home run and eight walks. Bonds had a perfect 5.000 OPS in that match up.
7. He is the only member of the 500 home run and 500 steals club
It sure does get lonely at the top. He is also alone in the 400/400 club.
6. He has walked 43.6 miles
Yup, adding up all the walks he has amassed over his career (1,870 unintentional walks and 688 intentional) he has walked that far. Second place is Ricky Henderson with 37.3 miles.
5. Out of the 68 splash hits at AT&T Park, Bonds has hit 35 of them
It's as if the ballpark was built for him or something.
4. Bonds had 10 seasons with 30 or more intentional walks
To put that into perspective, second place is Albert Pujols, who did it in only three seasons.
3. He was an All-Star, MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner in the same season three times
They basically just gave him all the awards. He also won four more MVP awards in back-to-back-to-back-to-back seasons.
2. His rookie season, he made $60,000
In 1986 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was paid $129,271 with today's dollar. That season also was his only season with more than 100 strikeouts.
1. He ended his career just 65 hits away from reaching 3,000
He was also only four RBIs away from reaching 2,000. So close.
Russell Preston - KHTK Sacramento
