With 762 home runs, 2,558 walks, and 1,440 extra base hits, one would think Barry Bonds would be a for sure Hall of Fame inductee. However, performance-enhancing drugs has hindered those hall of fame chances.
In 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted for obstruction of justice after the investigation of the early-2000s BALCO scandal leading to his conviction in 2011, but the conviction was later overturned in 2015. This was not it for Bonds as his testimony would be included in the Game of Shadows, in attempt to show Bonds admitting to using banned substances and PEDs. Yet, Bonds never failed a drug test.
These allegations damaged Bonds so much that he has been on the Hall of Fame ballot for five years and just past the 50 percent mark this year. In 2013, his final voting percentage finished at 36.2 percent, dropping the next year to 34.7 percent then rising again in 2015 to 36.8 percent boosting again to 44.3 percent in 2016 and lastly finishing this year’s Hall of Fame ballot at 53.8 percent.
This not only shows us the improvement of Bonds chances but with five years remaining on the ballot it is a good chance Bonds could become a Hall of Famer in two to three years, according to USA Today.
Another good sign for Bonds is the induction of Ivan Rodriguez, and Jeff Bagwell showing that the voters can tune out the PED rumors for players on the ballot. Rodriguez and Bagwell were both accused of drug use, Rodriguez was accused by his former teammate Jose Canseco in his very own book and in the same year (2005) lost 30 pounds before the MLB’s testing program with consequence begun.Bagwell on the other hand was accused as well but no one could prove it.
Drug–use is the only thing holding Bonds from being in the Hall of Fame as his play was absolutely legendary. Bonds holds the record for the most bases on balls (2,558) in a MLB career proving that pitchers feared him every time he would bat. When Bonds wasn’t being walked he would still find a way to either get on base or touch all of them resulting in him being 6th in On-base percentage with .444. These are just little accolades for Bonds as his most celebrated award was breaking the all-time single season home-run record with 73 home runs beating Mark McGwire record of 70.
Holding Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame wouldn’t make sense as he is one of the most dominant players to ever step foot in the MLB. The MLB will probably never see another player of his caliber and that isn’t a bad thing. Just give credit when credit is due.
Seametrus Battle Jr. 