USA Today via Reuters
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins, Jul 29, 2016 Miami, FL, USA Miami Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds 25 walks on the field before the game between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, 29.07.2016 17:55:37, 9410991, Miami Marlins, MLB, NPStrans, Barry Bonds, Marlins Park, St. Louis Cardinals PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJasenxVinlovex 9410991
USA Today via Reuters
MLB, Baseball Herren, USA St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins, Jul 29, 2016 Miami, FL, USA Miami Marlins hitting coach Barry Bonds 25 walks on the field before the game between the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports, 29.07.2016 17:55:37, 9410991, Miami Marlins, MLB, NPStrans, Barry Bonds, Marlins Park, St. Louis Cardinals PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJasenxVinlovex 9410991
MLB legend Barry Bonds is a man of different colors. Very talented, he remained a controversial figure, with many reasons contributing to it. But the foremost reason is a tough character that alienated him from many. It includes his teammates, colleagues, managers, and even friends. Because of this, he was always alone and got the tag of “Wasn’t the Best Clubhouse Guy” which stayed with him until his retirement.
It is something no player would like to hear. But Barry Bonds accepted it. Though, while doing so, the seven-time NL MVP gave another insight related to his playing career that changed the narrative.
‘Loner’ Barry Bonds Describes What Made a Great Teammate
Bonds have a distinct personality, which followed him on the baseball field too. It includes his ‘Loner’ nature that limited his interactions. Because of it, the ‘Home Run King’ could not gel with his teammates, which in turn left him alone in the clubhouse. Bonds, who has been vocal about his career since his retirement, addressed it in one episode of R2C2. Another MLB great CC Sabathia joined him. During that conversation, the Giants’ legend answered about his teamwork, which went unnoticed.
He said, “I wasn’t the best clubhouse guy, that’s for damn sure. But on the baseball field, I took my walks, I took my hits. I did everything I could for my teammate to have an opportunity to do his job.” He then focused that people ignored it and focused all on his clubhouse activity.
Contradicting the presumption of not conversing enough, Bonds explained further the reason behind it. He said, ” “Because it’s a business, and people don’t understand that I took it as a business.” In most teams, everyone thought I was being a di**, but I really — I wasn’t at all. I love you, I respect you, I would help you in any aspect.”
The 14x All-star focused that he shied away from opening because teammates changed and he did not want to get into the conversation in the future. Well, this is certainly true because, when it comes to the defending team, Bonds did give it all. His altercation against Padres outfielder Phil Plantier is an example of it.
A Perfect Teammate Who Gave It All to His Team
Barry Bonds is often accused of not doing enough for the clubhouse. But that is not the case. Though he never opened him up, he had a deep team love. It was visible when he countered Plantier for intruding on the Giants’ practice session. Bonds first asked him to leave the camp politely. But when he did not listen, he shared his force and made Plantier pay back.
It happened during Bonds’ early days in San Francisco. And made him the star in the Giants clubhouse. Though he never shared his love for the team in the open, his actions off the field made him a star. Like every good, it did not last long and other traits overtook the surrounding presumption, making him a tough teammate to be with. What are your thoughts on the story? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch This Story: From Unforeseen Beginnings to Unstoppable Greatness: The Remarkable Journey of Giants Legend Barry Bonds.
