Barry Bonds is a divisive figure in MLB. While some choose to laud the star for his sheer hitting ability, some still mark out the star as having a tainted reputation for his controversial second-half career. The star meanwhile has engaged with the media on several occasions. Sometimes contributing to the star’s already fraught reputation, sometimes presenting a contrarian account that seems like his true nature. But before the star ever made his way to major league baseball, he was different.

The 6x MVP had always been a marquee player in MLB. While his swing was always the talk of the town, it was his aura even off the diamond that made him somewhat hard to approach both by the media and players alike. But in a story that runs against the tide, author Jeff Pearlman talks about a time when this was not the case for the star—a time when he was actually seen as somebody who was an asset to team morale.

Barry Bonds – Was he misunderstood?

On page 42, Pearlman recounts the story of Bonds as a school player. A description that runs in almost complete contrast to the 14x All-Star that the general audience has been privy to as a part of the major leagues. In fact, the star not only contributed but also actively tried to contribute to a team event. Something his teammates have heard him actively deride once a part of the major leagues.

But apparently, it was in school that Bonds was at his affable best. Playing catcher for his school team at the time, Bonds threw in 110% every time he stepped on the diamond. His peers even recount him blocking balls with his bare hands to shore up the defense from behind home plate.

“All the other players would unanimously agree he was our MVP,” said Calonico, a teammate of his from school. “He had the respect of all his peers.”

A Media Narrative around Bonds?

During his playing days in the Major Leagues, Bonds made no attempt at regrouping and connecting with his teammates. There are in fact several stories about how Bonds chose to actively dissociate himself in situations where the perhaps universal opinion is that he could have done better. But to anyone who has read more about the star, you just knew there was more to the story.

Read More: Controversial Barry Bonds’ Pirates Teammate Predicted Greatness for the Giants Legend Years Before His MVP Turn: “Without Question…”

Bonds has several stories out in the media that also mark him out to be a perfectly reasonable individual. Maybe more sparse than the negative stories, but they are certainly out there. The narrative around the Giants legend has always been sensational about the way he has treated the media but maybe it was reactionary all along.

Nobody can give an account of a man that they have not met, but maybe it was us that turned Bonds into what we know him as. Perhaps, his true self is that same selfless eighth grader ready to put in his all for the team.

WATCH THIS STORY | From Unforeseen Beginnings to Unstoppable Greatness – The Story of Barry Bonds