The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that Barry Bonds, controversial MLB home run king, will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this summer. Bonds expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging that Pittsburgh was where his career started and where he established a strong bond with the team. Bonds was drafted by the Pirates in 1982 and quickly became one of the best players in the game. During his time in Pittsburgh, he won two MVPs, three Gold Glove Awards, and had a strong batting average with a .990 OPS in his final three years with the team.
Despite his success in Pittsburgh, Bonds ultimately left for the San Francisco Giants in free agency, where he continued to excel and solidify his status as one of the greatest players in baseball history. Bonds won five more MVPs, five more Gold Glove Awards, and nine Silver Slugger Awards during his time with the Giants. However, his career was marred by controversy surrounding his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, an accusation he has consistently denied. Bonds’ reputation in the media was also tarnished, as he was widely disliked by journalists during his time in Pittsburgh and San Francisco.
Bonds’ career achievements are undeniable, as he holds the record for the most walks and intentional walks in MLB history. He is also the only player to achieve both 762 home runs and 514 stolen bases, earning him a spot in the exclusive 350-350 club. Despite his accolades, Bonds was removed from the National Baseball Hall of Fame ballot last year after failing to receive the necessary votes for induction. His number 25 was retired by the Giants in 2018, while he wore number 24 with the Pirates, a number that was retired by San Francisco in honor of his godfather, Willie Mays.
In addition to Bonds, former Pirates manager Jim Leyland and catcher Manny Sanguillen will also be inducted into the Pirates Hall of Fame alongside him. Bonds credits Leyland and the Pirates organization for giving him the opportunity to start his career in Pittsburgh and for building a special bond that he believes will never be broken. Despite the ups and downs of Bonds’ tenure with the Pirates and subsequent move to San Francisco, he remains grateful for the impact that Pittsburgh had on his career and expressed his honor at being included in the 2024 Pirates Hall of Fame class.
