Barry Bonds: Little Known Facts and Stats

Barry Bonds has become one of baseball's most followed players during the 2006 season, due to his breaking of Babe Ruth's homerun records, to achieve 2nd place on the overall list, and his chase to meet, or break Hank Aaron's record for the 1st place homerun record holder. What many people don't know is that Bonds' career has been over twenty years in the making. During that time he has been recognized for many accomplishments, including those from this past season. Bonds first began his major league career in 1986 when he played with the Pittsburg Pirates. This lasted from 1986 - 1992. Since the 1993 season, Bonds has, and still currently, plays with the San Francisco Giants. With the possibility that Bonds may return next year as either an outfielder or designated hitter, all eyes of the world will be on him, especially since is 2006 season was outstanding.

This past season, Bonds was "suspiciously" walked many times, however this wasn't the first time an event like this has happened. On May 28, 1998, while the Giants were loosing to the Arizona Diamondbacks (8-6), Bonds was walked intentionally with the bases loaded. Buck Showalter, the Arizona manager, realized that Bonds was an always dangerous batter. Therefore, he didn't want to take a chance (with the bases loaded and 2 out in the bottom of the 9th inning) that Bonds would hit a grand slam homerun to win the Game for the Giants. Bonds is such a great player that he and his father, Bobby Bonds, hold the record for the most homeruns by a father and son.

In addition to that records, Bonds also is the only member of the 500/500 club, has won seven National League MVP awards, has won twelve Silver Slugger awards, has made thirteen All Star Game appearances, has been awarded eight Gold Glove awards, and was Sporting News' Player of the Decade (representing the 1990's). While the record books have yet to be updated with the close of this season's results, Bonds' current accomplishments are presented, and his 2006 season results are noted in bold in the following records:

Games played - 2730 (23rd tied with Mel Ott) 2860 at the end of the 2006 season
At-bats - 9140 (tied for 50th) 9507at the end of the 2006 season
Runs - 2078 (6th place of all time) 2152 at the end of the 2006 season
Hits - 2742 (48th place) 2841 at the end of the 2006 season
Doubles - 564 (18th place) 587 at the end of the 2006 season
Home Runs - 734 (2nd place overall) results current
Runs batted in - 1853 (11th place of all time) 1930 at the end of the 2006 season
Walks - 2311 (1st place) 2426 at the end of the 2006 season
On-base percentage - .442 (6th place overall) .443 at the end of the 2006 season
Slugging average - .611 (9th place overall) .608 at the end of the 2006 season
Stolen Bases - 506 (tied for 34th place) 509 at the end of the 2006 season
Games played as an outfielder - 2648 (6th overall on outfield list)