1986–2007 · LF

Barry Bonds

6' 1", 185 lbs·Lived to 62·Bats L / Throws L

12×Silver Slugger8×Gold Glove7×MVPAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

The most dominant hitter in baseball history wasn't just about raw power — Bonds combined elite plate discipline with surprising defensive excellence, capturing eight Gold Gloves before his offensive peak even arrived. His 2004 campaign at age 40 represents the greatest single-season offensive performance ever recorded, posting an OPS+ of 186 that dwarfs anything seen before or since.

What separates Bonds from every other slugger is the sustained excellence across multiple decades. He evolved from a speedy, all-around superstar in Pittsburgh to the most feared hitter in San Francisco, maintaining a .298 career average despite teams essentially refusing to pitch to him in his later years. Seven MVP awards tell the story of a player who redefined what offensive dominance could look like.

The 762 home runs grab headlines, but the 142 career OPS+ reveals the true scope of his greatness — nearly half a century of superiority over his peers compressed into one remarkable number.

Career Highs

1.422

Best OPS · 2004

Most HR · 2001

137

Most RBI · 2001

.370

Best AVG · 2002

Career Arc · OPS

22 seasons

Statistical Comps

Juan Soto

95%

2024 season

ISO .281 · K% 16.7 · BB% 18.1 · HR% 5.8

Aaron Judge

93%

2025 season

ISO .357 · K% 23.6 · BB% 18.3 · HR% 7.8

Career · Batting

22 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1986	PIT	113	413	16	48	.223	.746	103
1987	PIT	150	551	25	59	.261	.821	110
1988	PIT	144	538	24	58	.283	.859	123
1989	PIT	159	580	19	58	.248	.777	112
1990	PIT	151	519	33	114	.301	.970	137
1991	PIT	153	510	25	116	.292	.924	131
1992	PIT	140	473	34	103	.311	1.080	154
1993	SF	159	539	46	123	.336	1.136	154
1994	SF	112	391	37	81	.312	1.073	141
1995	SF	144	506	33	104	.294	1.009	134
1996	SF	158	517	42	129	.308	1.076	140
1997	SF	159	532	40	101	.291	1.031	136
1998	SF	156	552	37	122	.303	1.047	139
1999	SF	102	355	34	83	.262	1.006	129
2000	SF	143	480	49	106	.306	1.127	144
2001	SF	153	476	73	137	.328	1.379	182
2002	SF	143	403	46	110	.370	1.381	185
2003	SF	130	390	45	90	.341	1.278	169
2004	SF	147	373	45	101	.362	1.422	186
2005	SF	14	42	5	10	.286	1.071	143
2006	SF	130	367	26	77	.270	.999	130
2007	SF	126	340	28	66	.276	1.045	138
Career		2986	9847	762	1996	.298	—	—

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