Having played and dominated the game for over two decades, Barry Bonds needs no introduction. Bonds was known for his power-hitting skills and maintained an intimidating image on the field. But as soon as he left the baseball ballparks, the SF Giants legend was a distinct personality.
Given that Bonds was one of the fine hitters, it’s hard to believe he struggled to maintain the same approach off the field. But this is very true, and the San Francisco Chronicle columnist Lowell Cohn reflected the same in Barry Bonds’s biography.
Barry Bonds had a difficult time handling the media
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Evidently, with success, the media limelight follows you everywhere. Though it also brings money and fame, only when you can handle it nicely. Many athletes could not perform this efficiently, and Barry Bonds is one of them. Barry, who found success on the field and overcame all the hardships, had a difficult time with the Media, which put him on the wrong side of the media limelight.
Columnist Lowell Cohn noted the same in Bonds’s biography. While comparing him with NBA great Michael Jordan and wrote, “Bonds, in contrast, “disdains fame. He said that he feels uncomfortable that his shoe company wants to put up a Barry Bonds mural in San Francisco… tries to avoid every interview the Giants ask him to perform. He is cool to the fans in left field, although they already worship him.”
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But Cohn also pointed that, “However, that Bonds’ discomfort with fame actually makes him seem more human “and more likable.” Bonds certainly had a tough time managing media relations. It also affected his relations with multiple brands, which cost him millions in deals.
Bonds could have got more famous deals!
Barry Bonds was a tough personality to handle but still found success off the field. The 762 MLB home run hitter later endorsed brands like Fila, KFC, Mastercard, and many more. But many still argue that the situation could have been different had Bonds handled media attention well. He could have been in sync with Jordan, whom the Media adored, which made him one of the most celebrated faces in US sports history. They estimated the Billionaire ex NBA player to earn around $130 million from endorsements only.
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