Finally some sensible talk

He was intentionly walked over 100 times in 1 year omfg

My favorite Bonds take was that his peak was created by his freaking elbow brace.  This one writer was like, “it’s a HITTING MACHINE that gives him magical consistency on every single swing!  Also it allows him to magically lean out over the plate without fear of getting hit by a pitch anywhere!  So unfair!”  

I think Barry Bonds was just so goddamn good it made all the sportswriters lose their collective minds.

In 2004, Barry Bonds reached base 376 times in 373 at-bats. He had 120 INTENTIONAL walks that season.

Here’s a crazy stat. From 1990 to 1998 Bonds averaged 40 home runs and 40 steals per 162 games. That’s in 555 ABs because he was averaging 131 walks per 162.

Think about that. For a 9 year stretch Barry Bonds AVERAGED a 40-40 full season. And oh by the way he just happened to also hit .305 and slug .600 during this span. Wow!

The most beautifully explained and thoroughly researched video about this subject I've ever seen. I went in being tugged by emotional biases on both sides of this "myth" and left a more measured and educated person. Your first video I've seen. Subbed.

Remember. Randy Johnson had his best seasons from age 35 to 40.

You posted this a year ago. You got my subscription because of this. I never saw you before.

The ONLY 500/500 HR SB Man in Baseball history!!

This was fantastic. Subscribed. I'm sorry it took so long to find your channel. Damn glad I did.

When I was a baseball fan (Phillies) as a kid in the 90s.. we all despised Barry Bonds- he came off as very arrogant and a hot-head.  Went to a Phillies game when Bonds was against them... early in the game he gets hit by a pitch, charges the mound, both bullpens/dugouts empty and there was practically an all-out brawl.  Then, something similar happened a few innings later, but I can't remember who was hit that time.  The tension and energy was unlike any other game I've attended.  That being said.... Barry Bonds is my vote on most gifted hitter/pair of eyes to ever play.  It's criminal that he isn't in the HOF.

Barry Lamar Bonds, one two guys who you could split his career in 2 and both halves would be in the Hall of Fame.
The other would be Ricky Henderson.

Very fair analysis, well done.  I totally agree that he did decide to hit more home runs and was capable of making this adjustment.  You mentioned his batting eye being an all-time elite level, but pairing that with the fastest hands I've ever seen is what really made his change in approach possible.

Another stellar hitter-Ty Cobb- decided May 5th and 6th 1925 (during the height of the Babe Ruth homerun "mania") that he would try to hit homeruns. In two days he hit 5 homeruns. Then he went back to his regular small ball style of play. So an exceptional hitter CAN shift gears just by intent.

Bonds was a HOF player with or without HGH.

Bonds already was getting called a 1st ballot Hall of Famer in 1998!

You've really got the facts and perspective nailed down. I'm a lifelong Giants fan and I observed all of this in real time. I'm almost positive '99 was the year he started using PEDs. But what people don't realize is he started lifting in '89 when his son was born. Next year he's league MVP. He went from 185 to 210 between '86 and '98. Thats completely normal. Heck, I've put on about that much muscle myself (and nowhere near the genetics of Bonds). The jump was when he showed up in spring training in '99 and was "listed" at 228 all of a sudden, and was still shredded. Eventually I believe he ended up over 240 in the 2000s.

As for his batting approach, I've heard him say the change he made was leaning over the plate more, which naturally gave his swing slightly more lift. Its visibly apparent if you watch clips from him early to late in his career, upright vs leaning, flat vs slight lift. He was a straight line drive hitter early, and later he became a high-line drive hitter.

Maybe the best piece about this issue I have ever seen.

Awesome series! I very much look forward to seeing what comes next. Thank you for all your hard work

Barry bonds is what happens when u give the best player in baseball steriods