The best careers after age 35 in MLB history: 5. Barry Bonds, 2000-07 (35-42)
- .322/.517/.724
- 772 runs
- 317 HR
- 697 RBI
- 61.9 WAR
To kick off this top-5, we start with the other player considered the “Home Run King” in MLB history. Whether you hated him or loved him with the steroid use, it’s hard to ignore the dominating stats that Barry Bonds put together throughout his career. Those numbers continued long after turning 35. Honestly, his stats make a serious consideration for the top spot on this list, but the steroid allegations hurt his case.
Bonds turned 35 in the 2000 season, one year prior to his breaking of the all-time single-season home run record with 73 bombs. This was also one year prior to his stretch of four-straight MVP awards. During his final eight seasons, Bonds led the NL in RBIs every single year except the 2005 campaign in which he was limited to just 14 games with injuries. He also led all of baseball with RBIs in four of those seasons including the absurd mark of 232 RBIs in 2004.
The seven-time MVP winner leads all position players over the age of 35 with his 317 home runs and 697 RBIs. He also leads that same group with a 61.9 WAR, .517 OBP, and .724 slugging percentage. He may never find a place in the Hall of Fame, but it’s a lot of fun to marvel at these absurd hitting numbers.