This story I’m about to tell is about a baseball player known around the world. He is a true legend of the game, He’s a Major League baseball’s all-time home run king, he holds the record for both the most career home runs and most home runs in a single season. I doubt those two records will ever be broken. He is also a seven time most valuable player, 12-time silver slugger award winner and he also has 14 all star game appearances. The player that I am speaking of is the legend himself, Barry Lamar Bonds. 

Barry Bonds was born on July 24th, 1964 in Riverside California. Barry Bonds was already born into a family that has a baseball legacy background. Barry Bonds father is Bobby Bonds who was a Major League Baseball star as well, he was known for his speed and his hitting power. Barry’s godfather is the man himself Willie Mays, he’s one of the greatest players in Major League baseball history and a Hall of Famer. While Barry was growing up he was always around the game of baseball. He spent a lot of time taking batting practice and on the field with his dad, Bobby Bonds. At a young age Barry was already known to be super confident. People see him as a confident person but sometimes to the point that they would consider him to be arrogant but also very driven and focused. All of those personality traits put together and the talent that he had made him stand out early. During high school Barry was a multi-sport athlete, but he really made a name for himself on the baseball field. The Combination of his speed and power made scouts flock to his games. After high school Barry decided to forgo the MLB draft and go to college, he would end up choosing Arizona State University. During his career at Arizona State, he held a .347 batting average, 45 home runs and also 175 RBIs. 

When it was time for Barry to get drafted he was seen as one of the top prospects in the country, Barry ended up getting drafted 6th overall in the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1985. He started off in the minor leagues but proved himself very quickly and was called up in May of 1986, so not even a full year after he was drafted he was already in the big leagues, which is very impressive. Barry spent seven years with the Pirates and he didn’t disappoint; he led the team to three National League East titles in 1990-1992. He also started to become one of the star players in the MLB and became known for his power-speed combo as he would constantly hit 20+ Home runs and steal 30+ bags. During the stint with the Pirates he would also take home two MVPs in 1990 and 1992. Despite all of those achievements he wasn’t able to Win a NLCS nor a World Series, So after the 1992 season Barry decided he would enter free agency. Barry signed the biggest contract during that time, a 43.75 million dollar deal with the San Francisco Giants. This Move was like a homecoming, Barry grew up in the Bay Area and his godfather and let me tell you this part of his career was nothing short of Greatness. In 1993 Barry had won his third MVP in his first year with the Giants. In 1996, he became the second player ever to be in the 40 home run and 40 stolen base club and believe it or not his dad was the first player to be in the club. In 2001, Barry would set the single season home run record which still stands to this day. Additionally, in 2004, Barry would take home his 7th MVP, which was his last one. 

Despite the legendary career, Barry put together he would not be elected into the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown because of his PED suspicions. Hall of Fame or not you can’t ignore the longevity, and the dominance Barry had during his time playing baseball. He will go down in history as one of the greatest Hitters of all time and will always be remembered as the most feared hitter in baseball history.