I'm always hesitant to make the case for Bonds as one of the best hitters of all time. It always turns into a steroid argument. However I think we still forget how incredible he was. In addition to the all time home run record (762) he holds the single season record for home runs (73), slugging percentage (.863), OBP (.609), walks (232), and intentional walks (120). To put the walks into perspective here are MLB's leaders from 2015:
Just two players walked more than 120 times last year. In 2004 Bonds was INTENTIONALLY walked that many times! He has 7 MVP awards, which is three more than anyone else, including the most consecutive MVP awards (4, 2001-04). In Bonds' only World Series appearance (2002) he absolutely carried the Giants by slugging 1.294, which is a World Series record. Finally, from 1992-2004 Bonds hit at least 30 home runs in every single season.
I've never seen a hitter more feared than Barry Bonds. The video above is from May 28, 1998. Up two in the 9th and with the bases loaded the Diamondbacks chose to intentionally walk him and make it a one run game. The crazy part? It worked and I don't blame them for doing it.
Can you just stop??
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