Barry Bonds

Lore & Background

Barry Bonds was born to Patricia and future Major League right fielder Bobby Bonds. He grew up in San Carlos, California, where his godfather was Hall of Famer Willie Mays. Bonds attended Arundel Elementary School and later Junípero Serra High School, excelling in baseball, basketball, and football. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1982 but chose college after contract negotiations failed. Bonds attended Arizona State University, where he hit .347 with 45 home runs and was named a Sporting News All-American. He graduated in 1986 with a degree in criminology.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Bonds sixth overall in 1985. He made his MLB debut on May 30, 1986, and hit his first home run on June 4 at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium, the same ballpark where Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run. Bonds led NL rookies in home runs, RBI, stolen bases, and walks in 1986. He played for the Pirates through 1992, winning his first MVP award in 1990, then joined the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2007.

Bonds holds records for most career home runs (762), most home runs in a season (73 in 2001), and most walks and intentional walks in a career, season, and consecutive games. He won seven National League MVP Awards, 12 Silver Slugger Awards, eight Gold Glove Awards, and was selected to 14 All-Star Games. He is the only MLB player with at least 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.

Reader's Guide

Barry Bonds is a central figure in baseball history, both for his unparalleled offensive production and for his role in the sport's steroids scandal. His statistical achievements—including the career home run record, single-season home run record, and seven MVP awards—place him among the greatest players ever. However, his legacy is complicated by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use. Bonds was indicted in 2007 on perjury and obstruction of justice charges related to the BALCO investigation; he was convicted of obstruction in 2011 but exonerated on appeal in 2015. During his ten years of Hall of Fame eligibility, he did not receive the required 75% of votes, with some voters citing belief that he used performance-enhancing drugs. His career thus represents both the pinnacle of baseball achievement and the enduring controversy over doping in the sport.

Did You Know?

• Barry Bonds is the only MLB player with at least 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases.
• He hit his first career home run in the same ballpark where Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's career home run record.
• Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice in 2011 but exonerated on appeal in 2015.
• His godfather is Hall of Famer Willie Mays.