Why Barry Bonds is a Hall of Famer

This is not the prevailing sentiment floating around baseball these days. Though his numbers will be quite worthy of Hall of Fame (HOF) admittance, people will use his surly attitude and his “steroid use” as detractions. Even though Bonds only had one season, 2001, where he hit over 50 home runs, and he was a two time MVP before 1992, Bonds will always be linked to steroids. Nevermind the fact that he has won 8 Gold Gloves, or that his batting average is a career .298. Bonds is the poster boy for steroids, and probably forever will be.

Add to that, the fact that Bonds is not very friendly with the media (or anyone else) and you have someone who is easily vilified. Take, for example, his decision to sit out Monday’s nationally televised game against the Chicago Cubs. Apparently a 42 year old with a history of leg problems can’t get a day of rest. But I digress at the moment. Back to why Bonds is a Hall of Famer. First, despite being constantly pitched around, he has had over 100 Runs Batted In (RBI) in 12 of his 21 years of playing Major League Baseball. He has also led his team deep into the playoffs, with the Giants being 5 outs away form winning the World Series in 2002. He is still the most feared hitter in baseball and has been for several years. Excluding the 2005 season (in which Bonds only played 14 games) Bonds has had more than 100 walks for six straight seasons.

With Bonds moving closer to this hallowed HR record, the detractors have become louder and fierce. As if the game of baseball has been clean in its entirety. Let’s just forget about the “greenie” stage where coffee was marked, letting players, coaches, etc. which coffee had the amphetamines in them. Or maybe let’s not remember the fact that a team attempted to throw a World Series. Some have stated that the honorable thing would be for Bonds to just stop playing and not break the record. So they would want him to quit, after blasting Ricky Williams for quitting on his team. The man has done everything you want from a baseball player during his career. He hit, stole bases, played the field, and led his team deep into the playoffs. Though he doesn’t have a World Series ring, he won’t be the first star player not to get one.

So the question becomes: Will they keep an 8-time Gold Glove winner, 7-time MVP, soon-to-be All-Time HR leader out of the HOF? And if so, for how long? I wonder will this discussion ever come up for a certain 43 year old pitcher still throwing smoke. Wonder why he gets a free pass.