A Moderate Proposal (Bonds related)?

Question

I know this scenario will blow some of your minds and no matter how much I emphasize the hypothetical component I'll get a couple dumbasses who wont comprehend it, but bare with me. If steroids were not taken into consideration, that's to say based solely on stats and what you've witnessed on the field, is Barry Bonds the greatest hitter ever? Another way to phrase it: Is a juiced-up Barry Bonds a better hitter than a regular Aaron, Mays, or whoever?

I'd argue yes, with Ruth a close second. I'm of the school of thought that a walk is as good as a single. The four year period from 2001-04 when Bonds' OBP was over .500 was incredible. I can't even fathom his SLG% during that period. Based on his career hits, homers, and OPS, I'd Bonds on steriods is the greatest hitter ever.

Answer 1

No. Ruth was a better hitter and probably the best ever. Career BA 44 points higher, career ob% higher, career slg% higher, and accomplished much more is several hundred less games played. Plus outhomered entire teams at the time. He also was one of the best pitchers for a few years. Bonds, for your question, is probably in the top 10 all time, probably more between 4 and 8.

Answer 2

He's a great hitter. I don't care how juiced up you are, you still have to figure out if the pitcher is going to throw a curve, slider, fastball, changeup..whatever, there is no way you can hit any of those pitches with out a lot of talent...He has a career .298 average and as far as his walks go, have you seen his ridiculous career numbers. 679 intentional walks!!! 2541 career walks! Rickey Henderson, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams are the only others with 2000 in their careers.
I hate the guy, but he is one of the greatest hitters to ever play.

Answer 3

Steroids don't impact eyesight, so his plate discipline is really his. Bonds is in a small trio along with Ruth and Williams, and while there are ways to break the tie, it's not really important for this discussion. Bonds truly is THAT GOOD, and that makes the haters hate him all the more.

No Chemical X made Bonds great. However, they may have made him greater.

Answer 4

I don't know about "best", but when he was in his prime hitting merely 35-40 HRs he was deserving of the HOF just based on his entire game as you say.
I really don't like to compare individuals from different periods because the pitching and the game was so differents. In Bonds' case, he did play in the juiced era and against juiced pitchers; I don't know how he can be compared to Ruth who played in an era with much less coaching and more simple pitches.

Answer 5

I personally don't think anyone is as good a hitter as Ted WIlliams. Look at his batting average, and read his book on hitting. He had it down to a science, and knew situational hitting inside out. We always get caught up in the best hitter being a HR hitter or one who drives in RBI, but a hitter is someone who constantly gets on base. No doubt in my mind that the best hitter ever is Ted Williams.

Career Avg. .344
HR: 521
RBI: 1839
BB/K: 2019/709
OBP: .482

Now keep in mind he missed from 1943 - 1945 because he server our country in WWII. The war started just his second year after hitting a remarkable .406 in 1941

Answer 6

As a hitter in general I'd put Barry behind Ted Williams and Ty Cobb.

Answer 7

greatest hitter...........HR's discounted?
how about
Rose
Gwynn
Boggs

the tragedy of Bonds is that, w/o steroids or the taint of maybe steroids, he would have been right up there with Mays and Aaron and Mantle and DiMag and Yaz and all of that level......with the scandal cloud around him, he'll NEVER be HOF

Answer 8

I personally consider him #2, just behind Ruth. But you could definately make an argument either way. I definately think they are the top 2.

Answer 9

Jonathan Swift would approve! Bonds is the best