[akw4572]

Originally Posted by cooper_gd

The more he goes on, the more I'm a believer. The only thing that could possibly account for all of his stats is if it is proven that he has cybernetic enhancments like the Bionic Man. The man is a monster.

I would liken him to Bill Bixby in the Incredible Hulk.

[Long_Long_Name]

Back on topic, that is Bonds' greatness.

One stat I don't like is IBB, but Barry Bonds has 55 so far this season. Here are the single-season leaders since the statistic was first compiled, in 1955:

01. Bonds (2002) - 68
02. Bonds (2003) - 61
03. Bonds (2004) - 55* 
04. McCovey (1969) - 45
05. Bonds (1993) - 43
06. McCovey (1970) - 40
07. Sosa (2001) - 37
08. Bonds (2001) - 35
09. Bonds (1997) - 34
10. Olerud (1993) - 33
10. Williams (1957) - 33


* As of June 25th, 2004.

[mh2365]

It's only a matter of time before Bonds plays the race card on the whole steroid issue, considering his comments in the last week. First calling the city of Boston racist and saying the racist climate has never changed.

Then possibly the dumbest thing ever uttered in the race debate. When asked if he thought they (meaning SF) would name something after him once he retires like the Ted Williams tunnel (he was being asked by the Boston Globe). He said no way they never build anything for black guys. The reason this was so stupid is because he hits homers into McCovey Cove, the park is built on McCovey way. There are statues outside the stadium of Mays and McCovey.

[blackamus]

Once Bonds has 5 well above average seasons as a pitcher, then we can talk.

edit: my apoligies to asamford, i should have read the whole post first.

[Jason Moyer]

Originally Posted by blackamus

Once Bonds has 5 well above average seasons as a pitcher, then we can talk..

I'd be willing to argue that the difference between Bonds and Ruth as fielders more than makes up for 5 average seasons (Ruth was not a great pitcher, considering it was the dead ball era when teams barely scored 3 runs a game) of pitching.

[blackamus]

During the 5 years that he spent significant time as a pitcher he posted
ERA+ of
114 in 217 2/3 IP
158 in 323 2/3 IP
128 in 326 1/3 IP
121 in 166 1/3 IP
102 in 133 1/3 IP

Not stellar, but also nothing to scoff at.

[holyroller]

Originally Posted by asamford

With techonological advances in nutrition, exercise, medicine, etc, etc, ALL of today's players have an advantage over the players of Ruth's time. Which really just goes to say that what Babe Ruth did was that much more amazing. But it also means you can't discount what Bonds has done at all.

Exactly. You cannot possibly even quantify what effect steroids or any other performance enhancing substance in the first place. The uses of various substances, whether illegal or not or whether considered steroids or not is widespread. In this context, Bonds has played so far ahead of his competition it is ridiculous, just like Babe Ruth. The current run Bonds is on is the best four year stretch of any player in baseball history. For his entire career, he many or may not end up the best but he's showing zero sign of slowing down.

The main reason I still really wonder if Bonds uses steroids is that they increase the bodies tendency to suffer injury. Bonds, especially during his current run, hasn't suffered any serious injuries whatsoever besides the freak, broken arm type.

[Skipaway]

Again, if you believed in what scouts said, this season proved steroids helped pitchers more than hitters, since lots of pitchers lost some velocity this year, while no hitter declined glaringly.

Therefore, Bonds is even greater than we thought, since Ruth didn't have to face all the steroid-enhanced pitchers?