Examining the Hall of Fame case for San Francisco Giants legend Bobby Bonds

LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 2: Coach Bobby Bonds #16 stands next to his son outfielder Barry Bonds #25 of the San Francisco Giants during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium on October 2, 1993 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bernstein Associates/Getty Images) /

3 of 3

SAN FRANCISCO – AUGUST 3: (L-R) Barry Bonds #25 stands on first base next to his father and first base coach Bobby Bonds of the San Francisco Giants during a game against the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium on August 3, 1995 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images) /

The main issue for Bonds is that he had a very brief career. Of all Hall of Fame right fielders, no right fielder that played after 1930 has fewer than 16 MLB seasons. The only Hall of Fame right fielder to play after World War II and play in fewer games is Tony Oliva, who was just inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame this winter as part of the Class of 2022 via the Golden Days Era Committee.

Despite his short career, Bonds was able to be on 11 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballots but he fell off after his 11th ballot because he dropped below the requisite five percent to stay on. The highest percentage he ever had was 10.6 percent in 1993.

Bonds did, however, make one Era Committee ballot (then-named Veterans Committee) as he was on the ballot in 2007. He only received one vote, though. Since then, they have changed how people get on a ballot. For that 2007 ballot, Bonds was among 27 players on the ballot so getting one vote when 82 people voted (another change from the time) is not a good sign.

Sadly, Bonds died of lung cancer and a brain tumor at the age of 57 in 2003 so if the elder Bonds were to be inducted, it would likely be his son, Barry, or another family member that would make the induction speech.

Next. SF Giants legend Rick Reuschel's HOF case. dark

Bobby Bonds is far from a slam dunk for the Baseball Hall of Fame considering his short career but he is definitely someone that deserves another look in the future.

Home/San Francisco Giants