A tale of two careers

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - Barry Bonds of the Pittsburgh Pirates was named the National League's Most Valuable Player on this date in 1990. Bonds hit .301, with 33 HRs, 114 RBI and stole 52 bases. It would be the first of 7 MVP awards.

Barry Bonds had stellar numbers before suspicions about steroids began to swirl. Many believe he would have qualified for the Hall of Fame even without the numbers he put up in 2001 (73 HR, 137 RBI, 13 SB, .328 BA) and beyond.

In his first 15 seasons (up to 2001), Bonds drove in more than 100 runs 9 times, hit more than 30 home runs 10 times, and stole more than 30 bases 9 times. What is startling is that the best stretch Barry Bonds had in his career was after he reached age 35. Here are the numbers:

Home runs - 49, 73, 46, 45, 45
RBI - 106, 137, 110, 90, 101
Runs - 129, 129, 117, 111, 129

Bonds was also named MVP in 1992, 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, but with his indictment for perjury in November, 2007, he may end up leading the league in asterisks.

CONTRIBUTING SOURCE:
Barry Bonds

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