August 25, 2003
Bobby Bonds
Bobby Bonds, a legendary baseball player and the father of a rising baseball star, died on Aug. 23 from lung cancer. He was 57.
Bonds was a four-sport standout at his high school in Riverside, Calif. He signed with the San Francisco Giants right after graduation, and hit a grand slam during his first major league game. He would eventually spend 23 seasons working with the Giants, either as a player, coach or scout.
Bonds was the fourth player to enter baseball's "30-30 club," whose members have hit at least 30 home runs and stolen 30 bases in a single season. In 1969, Bonds joined this exclusive group when he hit 32 homers and stole 45 bases during his first full major league season. He qualified for the club five times in his career and almost became the first member of the "40-40 club" in 1973 when he hit 39 homers and stole 43 bases. Unfortunately, Bonds also led the majors in strikeouts three times in his first six seasons.
During his 13-year career in professional baseball, Bonds played for the Giants, New York Yankees, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. A three-time All-Star, Bonds retired with a .268 batting average, 1,258 runs scored and 1,024 runs batted in.
His son, Barry Bonds, is only 104 homers short of eclipsing Henry Aaron's all-time mark of 755. If he accomplishes this feat, Barry will become the sport's all-time home-run leader.
• Bobby Bonds Statistics From Baseball-Reference.com
Posted on August 25, 2003 2:02 PMbarry if you read this your father was a very ice man.he would have done anything for his community.he tought me manny things and you did to.
your #1 fan justin basye
Posted by justin basye on January 19, 2005 5:50 PM