While Barry Bonds amassed on-field accolades, his off-field reputation suffered consistent blows. Bonds has a long history of feuding with the media, like his lengthy baseball career. The Giants’ legend’s arrogant and aloof nature did not help his case either. But according to Bonds, he only gave what he got. 

Before bidding farewell to the game in 2007, the 14x All-Star star starred as himself in ESPN’s 10-part reality series that showed the world from his perspective. In it, the aloof and steroid-surrounded Barry Bonds spoke about the reason behind his contentious nature in front of the media. 

7x MVP Barry Bonds knew what he was doing

Irrespective of Bonds’ relationship with the media, there is no denying that he is one of the best to step foot on the plate. Being the sole member of the 400/400 and 500/500 Club are just two of the many achievements, Barry Bonds earned in his storied career. But it is undeniable that performance-enhancing drugs surrounded the controversial home run for most of his career. Hence, it was always one of the things that the media asked the Giants’ legend.

Read More: “I Drilled Him” – Former World Champion CC Sabathia Recounts His Experience of Confronting His Idol, Giants’ Legend Barry Bonds

But he never replied, and even if he did, he did it in a way that had little value. Bonds thought the media always picked on him, and thus he replied to them in a way he thought best. He says, “I only throw stones when the stone is thrown at me. I can be an a*s if I want to be. That’s for damn sure. But it’s only if you’re an a**hole to me. I treat you the way you treat me.” 

Bonds’ relationship with the media has improved over the years. And now he is much more willing to talk to reporters than before. 

It did not take much for Bonds to snap at the media

Bonds’ reputation was majorly hit when the BALCO Scandal broke out. Although it was not the first PEDs case about him, it dominated all of them. Somehow, if Bonds ever agreed to a conference, steroids were a conversation topic. But as the Giants legend would have it, soon as the question about him taking steroids left the reporter’s mouth, the home run king would snap.

In one such instance, during a conference in 2005 before the regular season, Bonds said, “Why do you keep asking the same question? I’m not a child. You repeat [questions] to children, and then eventually, they tell you. I don’t.” Moreover, in the same interview, he also got asked if he would ever apologize for his connection to BALCO Scandal and taking PEDs. In an instant, he said, “What did I do?”

Watch this Story: Barry Bonds drops a bombshell, “Yankees nearly signed me, but Giants prevailed.” 

In Bonds’ eyes, he didn’t do anything. But in the eyes of the media, he did many things wrong. Who would you support in these media v/s Bonds debate if given a chance? Let us know in the comments below!