The Evolution of Barry Bonds
Longest home rundistances courtesy of Bill Jenkinson, baseball historian and author of The YearBabe Ruth Hit 104 Home Runs.
1986
AGE (at start ofseason): 21
LISTED HT./WT.:6' 1'', 185
GAMES: 113
BATTING AVERAGE:.223
ON-BASE PCT.:.330
SLUGGING PCT.:.416
HOME RUNS: 16
HR/AB: 1/25.8
SB: 36 WALKS:65
INTENTIONALWALKS: 2
LONGEST HOMER:425 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"In springtraining I was in awe [of being around major league ballplayers]; then when Igot [to Pittsburgh], I was more ready to play."
ABOUT BONDS
"If I had to,I would say he'll be a Hall of Famer."
BILL VIRDON,Pirates hitting coach
HOME RUN TALLY16
1987
AGE: 22
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',185
GAMES: 150
BATTING AVERAGE:.261
ON-BASE PCT.:.329
SLUGGING PCT.:.492
HOME RUNS: 25
HR/AB: 1/22.0
SB: 32 WALKS:54
INTENTIONALWALKS: 3
LONGEST HOMER:430 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"Not a lot ofgames are won with long balls. They're won with base hits."
ABOUT BONDS
"When youhave his kind of ability, you can wind up trying to do things that nobody'scapable of doing. He's anxious."
JIM LEYLAND,Pirates manager
HOME RUN TALLY41
1988
AGE: 23
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',185
GAMES: 144
BATTING AVERAGE:.283
ON-BASE PCT.:.368
SLUGGING PCT.:.491
HOME RUNS: 24
HR/AB: 1/22.4
SB: 17 WALKS:72
INTENTIONALWALKS: 14
LONGEST HOMER:475 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I have tobat leadoff because we basically don't have a leadoff hitter. I'm not a personwho is going to beat the ball into the ground all day."
ABOUT BONDS
"Because he'sBobby Bonds's son, everyone expects 30-30 every year."
BOBBY BONILLA,Pirates third baseman
HOME RUN TALLY65
1989
AGE: 24
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',185
GAMES: 159
BATTING AVERAGE:.248
ON-BASE PCT.:.351
SLUGGING PCT.:.426
HOME RUNS: 19
HR/AB: 1/30.5
SB: 32 WALKS:93
INTENTIONALWALKS: 22
LONGEST HOMER:430 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I've done alot in three years. I became a leadoff man, and I put better numbers on theboard than any other leadoff hitter."
ABOUT BONDS
"A lot ofclubs approached us because they thought we were shopping Barry. . . . We arenot shopping Barry."
LARRY DOUGHTY,Pirates G.M.
HOME RUN TALLY84
1990
AGE: 25
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',185
GAMES: 151
BATTING AVERAGE:.301
ON-BASE PCT.:.406
SLUGGING PCT.:.565
HOME RUNS: 33
HR/AB: 1/15.7
SB: 52 WALKS:93
INTENTIONALWALKS: 15
LONGEST HOMER:420 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"This is theyear I wanted to hit .300. I was going to stay away from home runs, just beatthe ball on the ground and use my speed. And then everything came together. . .. That was a shocking surprise."
ABOUT BONDS
"He's comingof age."
JIM LEYLAND,Pirates manager
HOME RUN TALLY117
 
1991
AGE: 26
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',190
GAMES: 153
BATTING AVERAGE:.292
ON-BASE PCT.:.410
SLUGGING PCT.:.514
HOME RUNS: 25
HR/AB: 1/20.4
SB: 43 WALKS:107
INTENTIONALWALKS: 25
LONGEST HOMER:420 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"There'snothing Barry Bonds can do to satisfy Pittsburgh. I'm so sad all thetime."
ABOUT BONDS
"Here's a guywho might be [at] the pinnacle of his career. He has a tremendous future aheadof him. Yet he's not smelling the flowers."
JIM BROCK,Bonds's coach at Arizona State
HOME RUN TALLY142
1992
AGE: 27
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',185
GAMES: 140
BATTING AVERAGE:.311
ON-BASE PCT.:.456
SLUGGING PCT.:.624
HOME RUNS: 34
HR/AB: 1/13.9
SB: 39 WALKS:127
INTENTIONALWALKS: 32
LONGEST HOMER:440 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"A lot ofthings I've done this season, I've had to say, Whoa. I've had to almost say,That's not right, that's impossible."
ABOUT BONDS
"I don't knowhow he's got the numbers he does. [He] gets to swing the bat about once agame."
DON SLAUGHT,Pirates catcher
HOME RUN TALLY176
1993
AGE: 28
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',190
GAMES: 159
BATTING AVERAGE:.336
ON-BASE PCT.:.458
SLUGGING PCT.:.677
HOME RUNS: 46
HR/AB: 1/11.7
SB: 29 WALKS:126
INTENTIONALWALKS: 43
LONGEST HOMER:442 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I'm at mypeak right now, and maybe I can play another four years at this pace. To hit,run, steal--you can't do that forever."
ABOUT BONDS
"When he got$7 million a year, even as a player, you're saying, 'Nobody's worth thatmuch.' But he is."
JODY REED, RedSox second baseman
HOME RUN TALLY222
1994
AGE: 29
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',190
GAMES: 112
BATTING AVERAGE:.312
ON-BASE PCT.:.426
SLUGGING PCT.:.647
HOME RUNS: 37
HR/AB: 1/10.6
SB: 29 WALKS:74
INTENTIONALWALKS: 18
LONGEST HOMER:440 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"Somethinghas to slack off. It's Mother Nature. . . . One thing, it's good I have a25-year-old centerfielder [Darren Lewis] who can cover my butt."
ABOUT BONDS
"Supermanwould probably be surprised at the stuff he does."
JOHN PATTERSON,Giants second baseman
HOME RUN TALLY259
1995
AGE: 30
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',190
GAMES: 144
BATTING AVERAGE:.294
ON-BASE PCT.:.431
SLUGGING PCT.:.577
HOME RUNS: 33
HR/AB: 1/15.3
SB: 31 WALKS:120
INTENTIONALWALKS: 22
LONGEST HOMER:465 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I'm at apoint seeing the reality of [all the scrutiny], all this crud I'd been able toblock out for many years."
ABOUT BONDS
"I'd sayBarry is the most exciting [slugger in baseball] to watch. Barry has that aura.You have an aura or you don't. I don't."
JEFF BAGWELL,Astros first baseman
HOME RUN TALLY292
1996
AGE: 31
HT./WT.: 6' 1'',190
GAMES: 158
BATTING AVERAGE:.308
ON-BASE PCT.:.461
SLUGGING PCT.:.615
HOME RUNS: 42
HR/AB: 1/12.3
SB: 40 WALKS:151
INTENTIONALWALKS: 30
LONGEST HOMER:436 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I'm notgoing to hit 600 home runs like my godfather [Willie Mays] did."
ABOUT BONDS
"He's down onthat list compared to the other [great sluggers]. Not as big a home run hitter.Plays the whole field more than [Matt] Williams and [Albert] Belle."
REGGIE JACKSON,Hall of Fame slugger
HOME RUN TALLY334
 
1997
AGE: 32
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',206
GAMES: 159
BATTING AVERAGE:.291
ON-BASE PCT.:.446
SLUGGING PCT.:.585
HOME RUNS: 40
HR/AB: 1/13.3
SB: 37 WALKS:145
INTENTIONALWALKS: 34
LONGEST HOMER:460 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I don'texpect to do that [hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases] again."
ABOUT BONDS
"He is ashow-off, and I'm not saying that in a negative way. He'll find out that BillCosby is in the ballpark for a game, and he'll do somethingexceptional."
DUANE KUIPER,Giants TV announcer
HOME RUN TALLY374
1998
AGE: 33
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',206
GAMES: 156
BATTING AVERAGE:.303
ON-BASE PCT.:.438
SLUGGING PCT.:.609
HOME RUNS: 37
HR/AB: 1/14.9
SB: 28 WALKS:130
INTENTIONALWALKS: 29
LONGEST HOMER:440 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I ain'twatchin' no 400-400. I'm watching the home run derby [between Mark McGwire andSammy Sosa]. The hell with Barry Bonds."
ABOUT BONDS
"Nobody inthe league gets more boos. And nobody gets more All-Star votes.
NED COLLETTI,Giants assistant G.M.
HOME RUN TALLY411
1999
AGE: 34
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',210
GAMES: 102
BATTING AVERAGE:.262
ON-BASE PCT.:.389
SLUGGING PCT.:.617
HOME RUNS: 34
HR/AB: 1/10.4
SB: 15 WALKS:73
INTENTIONALWALKS: 9
LONGEST HOMER:445 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"This is oneof my best seasons I've ever had because it's the first time I've ever had togo through surgery."
ABOUT BONDS
"I've neverseen anything like what he's doing. He's playing Wiffle ball in his backyardnow."
F.P. SANTANGELO,Giants utilityman on an August home run binge
HOME RUN TALLY445
2000
AGE: 35
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',210
GAMES: 143
BATTING AVERAGE:.306
ON-BASE PCT.:.440
SLUGGING PCT.:.688
HOME RUNS: 49
HR/AB: 1/9.8
SB: 11 WALKS:117
INTENTIONALWALKS: 22
LONGEST HOMER:480 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"If I canplay six more years and average 30-something homers a year, I can surpass mygodfather's mark of 660 home runs."
ABOUT BONDS
"He's notgoing to hit 70 homers, but he believes he can. That's frightening."
SHAWON DUNSTON,Cardinals utilityman
HOME RUN TALLY494
2001
AGE: 36
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 153
BATTING AVERAGE:.328
ON-BASE PCT.:.515
SLUGGING PCT.:.863
HOME RUNS: 73
HR/AB: 1/6.5
SB: 13 WALKS:177
INTENTIONALWALKS: 35
LONGEST HOMER:485 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"Some thingsI can't understand right now. The balls I used to line off the wall [I'm]lining out [of the park]. I can't tell you why. Call God. Ask Him."
ABOUT BONDS
"He's a lotstronger than he was in the past. Barry's put on a lot more weight
GARY SHEFFIELD,Dodgers outfielder
HOME RUN TALLY567
2002
AGE: 37
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 143
BATTING AVERAGE:.370
ON-BASE PCT.:.582
SLUGGING PCT.:.799
HOME RUNS: 46
HR/AB: 1/8.8
SB: 9 WALKS:198
INTENTIONALWALKS: 68
LONGEST HOMER:491 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I don't evenknow how I got [to 600], really."
ABOUT BONDS
"It would notaffect me one bit to see someone like Barry break the record. I believe Barrycould walk away when his career's over as the greatest offensive player whoever played."
HENRY AARON, homerun king
HOME RUN TALLY613
2003
AGE: 38
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 130
BATTING AVERAGE:.341
ON-BASE PCT.:.529
SLUGGING PCT.:.749
HOME RUNS: 45
HR/AB: 1/8.7
SB: 7 WALKS:148
INTENTIONALWALKS: 61
LONGEST HOMER:480 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"The onlynumber I care about is Babe Ruth's [714]. Because as a lefthanded hitter, Iwiped him out."
ABOUT BONDS
"Barry has noreason to believe he's taken anything but the up-and-up stuff and all the otherproducts that BALCO makes."
MICHAEL RAINS,Bonds's lawyer
HOME RUN TALLY658
2004
AGE: 39
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 147
BATTING AVERAGE:.362
ON-BASE PCT.:.609
SLUGGING PCT.:.812
HOME RUNS: 45
HR/AB: 1/8.3
SB: 6 WALKS:232
INTENTIONALWALKS: 120
LONGEST HOMER:470 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"[The walksare] wearing me down. Dude, I don't ever sit down. It's a hard-assjob."
ABOUT BONDS
"I know thefans come to see Bonds, but I want to be able to say we won because we didn'tjust give in to what the fans want."
JACK MCKEON,Marlins manager
HOME RUN TALLY703
2005
AGE: 40
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 14
BATTING AVERAGE:.286
ON-BASE PCT.:.404
SLUGGING PCT.:.667
HOME RUNS: 5
HR/AB: 1/8.4
SB: 0 WALKS:9
INTENTIONALWALKS: 3
LONGEST HOMER:455 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"I might notbe back at all. . . . Certainly, I'll be gone after 2006."
ABOUT BONDS
"It's still acircus atmosphere because you see it on TV all the time. You can't go a daywithout hearing about it: Is he coming back? Is he not coming back?"
BRETT TOMKO,Giants pitcher
HOME RUN TALLY708
2006
AGE: 41
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',228
GAMES: 130
BATTING AVERAGE:.270
ON-BASE PCT.:.454
SLUGGING PCT.:.545
HOME RUNS: 26
HR/AB: 1/14.1
SB: 3 WALKS:115
INTENTIONALWALKS: 38
LONGEST HOMER:470 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"Hank Aaron,to me, is the home run king. I won't disrespect that."
ABOUT BONDS
"He's hit thehome runs, so you have to give him credit, but he's not Babe Ruth. He neverwill be Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron, for that matter."
BOB FELLER, Hallof Fame pitcher
HOME RUN TALLY734
2007
AGE: 42
HT./WT.: 6' 2'',238
GAMES: 96
BATTING AVERAGE:.272
ON-BASE PCT.:.493
SLUGGING PCT.:.556
HOME RUNS: 21
HR/AB: 1/12.4
SB: 5 WALKS:113
INTENTIONALWALKS: 34
LONGEST HOMER:452 ft.
THEY SAID IT
FROM BONDS
"This is thehardest thing I've had to do in my entire career."
ABOUT BONDS
"No matterwhat anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds'sachievement is noteworthy and remarkable."
BUD SELIG, MLBcommissioner
HOME RUN TALLY755
TWENTY-FIVE PHOTOS
STEPHEN DUNN /ALLSPORT; STEPHEN DUNN/GETTY IMAGES; RICHARD MACKSON; RONALD C. MODRA (2); WILLIAM R. SMITH; CRAIG FUJI/AP; ALLEN KEE/WIREIMAGE.COM; DAVID KOHL/AP; V.J. LOVERO (3); CHUCK SOLOMON; ROBERT BECK (2); SEAN CONNELLEY/WIREIMAGE.COM; ANDY LYONS/ALLSPORT; BRAD MANGIN (4); BOB ROSATO; SCOTT ROVAK