Printable Biography of Barry Bonds

The name “Bonds” is synonymous with baseball greatness following in the footsteps of his late father Bobby and godfather, Willie Mays. Living legend, Barry Bonds, is the power hitter for the San Francisco Giants who broke Hank Aaron’s All-Time Home Run Record on Aug. 7, 2007, when he hit his 756th career home run at AT&T Park. Now sitting on 762 home runs, Bonds continues to reach historical heights with each home run he belts. A dominant force in the game, Bonds is in his 22nd season and has crafted one of the finest careers the game has ever seen, a collection of feats that has permanently etched the name Barry Bonds into baseball history. From sports icon to commercial spokesperson along with his philanthropic missions, Bonds proves to be one of the most recognizable sports figures in the country. It is his longevity as a superstar and all-around greatness that will navigate his course to the Hall of Fame.

Superstar Athlete
In Nov. 2004, Bonds was honored with his unprecedented seventh National League Most Valuable Player Award. In a magical moment that baseball fans will never forget that linked Bonds and godfather Mays as two of the greatest baseball players in history, Bonds hit his 660th home run to tie Mays on April 12, 2004. Bonds made his debut at the 2002 World Series where he slammed a home run in his very first at-bat, which was a precursor to his record setting series. During the 2001 season, at the age of 37, Bonds sculpted one of the finest seasons in big-league history, breaking baseball’s most hallowed record when he blasted his 71st and 72nd home runs on Oct. 5, 2001 at Pacific Bell Park and ended the season as the new home run king with 73 homers. A 14-time All-Star, Barry has captured numerous records as well as dozens of accolades including being named the The Sporting News’ “Player of the Decade” for the 1990’s. Since Bonds’ arrival in San Francisco in 1993, he has played an instrumental role in leading the Giants to five division titles and the 2002 National League Pennant.

A Giant in the Community
A devout family man, it was Barry’s love and devotion to his children that led him to launch the Bonds Family Foundation with the goal to encourage, promote and fund programs designed to improve educational achievements, standard of living and quality of life for underprivileged youth in the Bay Area. Having grown up in the Bay Area, Bonds feels it is essential to make a difference in the local community. Most recently, he made a commitment to support UCSF Children’s Hospital, raising funds to help make each child’s stay at the hospital a more comfortable one. Each season, Bonds donates 25 tickets to every home game to Bay Area charities for underprivileged children to sit in the “Bonds Squad.” Bonds, the recipient of the 1999 Philanthropist of the Year Award by the National Conference on Black Philanthropy, embraces today’s technology as the gateway to opportunity. It is his conviction towards education that the foundation established the Link N’ Learn program, “Bridge to the Future” campaign as well as the Bonds Private School Scholarship Fund. Prior to the 2002 Winter Games Bonds participated in the Olympic Torch relay carrying the torch through the final portion of the San Francisco leg and lit the cauldron, which became one of his proudest moments as an American.

Baseball Achievements:
· All-time Major League Home Run leader
· 7 MVPs
· 13-time All Star
· 8 Gold Gloves
· 12 Silver Slugger Awards
· Third member of 700 Home Run Club
· Only member in 500/500 Club
· Single Season Home Run King (73)
· Two-time N.L. Batting Champion (2002, 2004)
· Player of the Decade for the 1990's by The Sporting News
· All-time Major League walks leader
· Set single-season walks (232) and intentional walks (120) record
· Set single-season OBP record (.609)
· Holds Major League record for consecutive seasons  with 30-or-more HR, 
  accomplishing this 13 times