2. Barry Bonds
There are eight members of the 300 home run/300 stolen base club. Barry Bonds is the only member of the 400/400 and 500/500 club, a statement to his amazing all around game.
The son of another 300/300 club member, Bobby Bonds, the godson of Willie Mays, and Reggie Jackson’s cousin, Barry appeared destined for stardom from the time he arrived in the Majors. Indeed, his accomplishments read like the numbers from a video game, as he had twelve seasons with forty or more home runs, including a record 73 homers in 2001. He was a 14 time All-Star, seven time MVP and 12 time Silver Slugger award winner.
In his career, Bonds produced a .298/.444/.607 batting line, hitting a record 762 home runs and driving in 1,996 runs. He is the all time leader with 2,558 walks and 688 intentional walks, including an amazing 120 intentional passes in 2004. Bonds ranks fifth in slugging and RBI, sixth in on base percentage, third in runs scored and his 514 steals are the 33rd most in MLB history.
A true five tool player, Bonds excelled in the field as well. He won eight Gold Gloves, as his speed helped him become the all time leader in putouts for a left fielder with 5,225. He ranks sixth with 158 assists, and is 16th in double plays. Bonds is also the all time leader in runs saved in left, saving an amazing 179 runs in his career.
Unfortunately, the PED taint is also attached to Bonds. However, he never tested positive for PEDs, only failing a test for stimulants in 2006. With his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, being tied to BALCO, enough of a connection is there where the latter part of his career is brought into question. Yet, his early days, when he was a five tool player, are still enough to make Bonds one of the greatest of all time.
Next: The greatest player in MLB history