What comes first to your mind when you hear the name Barry Bonds? Well, the 60-year-old had a controversy-laden career, but that’s not why—at least according to the first-ballot Hall of Famer, Chipper Jones! In an interview with the Foul Territory, Jones recalled the amazing slugger that Bonds was. So, despite having the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani in the mix, what makes Bonds the best?

Chipper Jones had his reasons, but the San Francisco Giants homerun king’s achievements did get overshadowed by his 2003 scandal. Remember how Barry Bonds was barred from getting into Cooperstown? That’s something the MLB will never forget, even if Bonds comes at peace with the fact. The GOAT debate can rarely be seen in baseball, but it seems like the Atlanta Braves’ former third baseman has a clear opinion.

“I will say until the day I die, the best player I’ve ever seen don a baseball uniform is Barry Bonds,” Chipper Jones explained. Between 2001 and 2004, Bonds had an average of 10.8 WAR per season, winning four back-to-back MVP awards. Over his 22-year career span, he has hit the most home runs (762) and 2,558 walks. This is why “there’s not even anybody close” as per Jones, other than, maybe, Shohei Ohtani.

Jones called Ohtani a “unicorn,” considering the 30-year-old can hit from any position in the lineup and “can also be a top-of-rotation starter.” However, as for the gameplay, Chipper’s list places Barry Bonds at the top given he “doesn’t pitch, who can go out and dominate a game. Any facet.” Jones further added, “He could do it on the base paths. He could do it out in the outfield. He could do it with his arm, and obviously, the bat is the distinguisher of all of those,” pointing out Bonds’ all-rounder appeal as a baseball player despite failing to become a part of the Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds was legendary but lost his Hall of Fame

Eight Gold Glove awards, 12 Silver Slugger awards, and 14 All-Star teams define Barry Bonds MLB career. Despite retiring with a slash line of .298/.444/.607, no record could ignore the BALCO scandal that Bonds was allegedly involved in. ‘Untold: Hall of Shame,’ a Netflix documentary, revealed several details regarding this case and his involvement with Victor Conte, who was intricately involved with BALCO. But MLB could never prove Bonds’ involvement with these drugs.

Nonetheless, certain observations on the field, with the left fielder being on an overdrive even after the age of 34, raised some suspicions. So, no matter what the evidence was, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America considered Barry a member of baseball’s steroids-era, rejecting his eligibility. Then there’s someone who is already in the Hall of Fame discussion way before meeting the expected qualifications—Shohei Ohtani. 

Awarded the National League’s Most Valuable Player, Ohtani is the first full-time DH to receive this honor. So, the speculations of him being a Hall of Famer have a high chance of turning into reality by his first game in 2027, when he will meet the 10-season eligibility criteria. While Barry Bonds made it to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Hall of Fame in August 2024, his MLB Hall of Fame dreams still remain untouched. 

However, there might be some hope left for the 2-time NL batting champion. In December 2025, when the Contemporary Player Committee will meet again, they might consider including him in the Hall of Famers’ class of 2026. As for Barry’s take on it, he said in August this year: “I don’t have to worry about those things no more in my life. I want to hang around my grandchildren and my children,” further adding, “I hope to breathe tomorrow and see if I can make it to 61.”

Nonetheless, Barry Bonds hoped to make it to the Hall of Fame as he wondered: “Would it be something that’s gratifying because of what I’ve sacrificed? Sure. Baseball has been a big part of our lives. We’ve sacrificed our bodies.” So, do you think Barry Bonds’ controversies will overpower his legacy in the sport yet again? Let us know in the comments.