Barry Bonds Timeline

(1964 - Present)

This timeline chronicles the life and career of Barry Bonds, one of the most accomplished yet controversial figures in Major League Baseball history. It covers his rise as a star outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants, his record-setting seven MVP awards, his breaking of the single-season and career home run records, and the steroid allegations that have complicated his legacy. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Amateur Career

Barry Bonds is born in Riverside, California

Jul 24, 1964

Barry Lamar Bonds was born in Riverside, California, the son of former MLB outfielder Bobby Bonds and godson of legendary slugger Willie Mays. Growing up surrounded by baseball, he was immersed in the sport from an early age.

Image source: Barry Bonds

Stars at Serra High School in San Mateo

Sep 1980 - Jun 1983

Bonds attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, where he excelled in baseball, basketball, and football. He batted .467 as a senior and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the second round of the 1982 draft, though he did not sign.

Image source: Junípero Serra High School (San Mateo, California)

Plays college baseball at Arizona State University

1984 - 1985

Bonds starred for Arizona State, batting .347 with 45 home runs and helping the Sun Devils reach the College World Series championship game in 1984. He was named a second-team All-American in 1985.

Drafted sixth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jan 1985

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Bonds with the sixth overall pick in the 1985 MLB draft. He signed with the club and began his professional career in the minor leagues.

Image source: 1985 Major League Baseball draft

MLB Playing Career

Makes MLB debut with the Pirates

May 30, 1986

Bonds made his major league debut against the Dodgers, going hitless but showing flashes of his talent. He finished his rookie season with 16 home runs, 36 stolen bases, and strong defense in left field.

Finishes sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting

Nov 1986

Bonds impressed during his rookie campaign, hitting 16 home runs with 48 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. His combination of power and speed marked him as one of the league's most exciting young players.

Image source: 1986 Major League Baseball season

Becomes first player with 30 homers and 30 steals in Pirates history

Sep 1990

In 1990, Bonds posted his first 30-30 season (33 home runs, 52 stolen bases), won his first Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and finished third in National League MVP voting while leading the Pirates to the playoffs.

Leads Pirates to NLCS appearances from 1990 to 1992

Oct 1990 - Oct 1992

Bonds helped the small-market Pirates reach the National League Championship Series three consecutive years. Despite his heroics, including a dramatic home run off Doug Drabek's counterpart in 1992, Pittsburgh fell short each time.

Image source: Pittsburgh Pirates

Signs record contract with the San Francisco Giants

Dec 1992

A free agent after the 1992 season, Bonds signed a then-record six-year, $43.75 million contract with his hometown San Francisco Giants, returning to the Bay Area where his father Bobby and godfather Willie Mays had starred.

Image source: San Francisco Giants

Signs $90 million extension, among largest contracts ever

Jan 2001

Before the 2001 season, Bonds signed a five-year, $90 million contract extension with the Giants, reflecting his stature as one of baseball's elite players entering his late thirties.

Giants lose seven-game World Series to Angels

Oct 19, 2002 - Oct 27, 2002

Bonds reached his only World Series, hitting four home runs and drawing a record 13 walks against the Anaheim Angels. The Giants led 3-2 in the series but lost Games 6 and 7, falling one win short of a championship.

Plays final MLB game with the Giants

Sep 26, 2007

Bonds played his last major league game at Dodger Stadium, finishing with 762 career home runs. The Giants declined to re-sign him, and despite interest speculation, no team offered him a contract thereafter.

Records and Achievements

Wins first NL MVP award with the Pirates

Nov 1990

Bonds captured his first Most Valuable Player award after a stellar season in which he led the Pirates to the NL East title. He continued to develop into one of the game's premier all-around players.

Hits 46 home runs and wins NL MVP with Giants

Apr 1993 - Oct 1993

In his first Giants season, Bonds led the majors with 46 home runs, drove in 123 runs, batted .336, and won his second MVP award. The Giants won 103 games but narrowly missed the playoffs.

Joins the exclusive 300-300 club

Aug 1996

Bonds became just the fourth player in MLB history to record 300 career home runs and 300 career stolen bases, cementing his status as one of the most complete players ever.

Image source: 300 (film)

Records second 40-40 season in baseball history

Sep 1996

Bonds hit 42 home runs and stole 40 bases in 1996, becoming only the second player after José Canseco to join the exclusive 40-40 club, showcasing his rare blend of power and speed.

Image source: 40–40 club

Wins third NL MVP award in 1998

Nov 1998

After another outstanding season in which he hit 37 home runs with 122 RBIs and a .303 average, Bonds earned his third MVP award, tying Mike Schmidt for the most among NL players at that time.

Breaks single-season home run record with 73 homers

Oct 7, 2001

Bonds smashed 73 home runs in 2001, breaking Mark McGwire's single-season record of 70 set in 1998. He also walked a record 177 times, slugged an MLB-record .863, and won his fourth MVP award.

Image source: List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders

Wins fourth straight MVP award in 2002

Nov 2002

Bonds hit 46 home runs with an MLB-record 198 walks and a .370 average, winning his unprecedented fourth consecutive MVP award while leading the Giants to the World Series.

Sets single-season walks record with 232

Oct 5, 2004

In 2004, Bonds drew a staggering 232 walks, shattering his own record, while posting a career-best .362 average and winning his seventh MVP award — his record-setting on-base percentage of .609 remains unapproached.

Image source: Baseball statistics

Passes Willie Mays on the all-time home run list

May 28, 2006

Bonds hit his 715th career home run against Colorado's Byung-hyun Kim, moving past his godfather Willie Mays into second place on the all-time home run list behind Babe Ruth.

Image source: List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders

Passes Babe Ruth with 715th... then 714th and beyond

May 28, 2006 - Sep 2006

Throughout 2006, Bonds climbed past Babe Ruth's 714 home runs, finishing the season with 734 career homers and setting his sights on Hank Aaron's all-time mark of 755.

Passes Hank Aaron with historic 756th home run

Aug 7, 2007

Bonds hit his 756th career home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, breaking Hank Aaron's 33-year-old record. The milestone ball, caught by Matt Murphy, was famously branded with an asterisk before being donated to the Hall of Fame.

Image source: List of milestone home runs by Barry Bonds

Steroid Controversy and Legacy

BALCO scandal links Bonds to steroid allegations

Mar 2004

Investigations into the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative revealed alleged steroid use involving prominent athletes, including Bonds. Reports claimed his trainer Greg Anderson supplied him with performance-enhancing drugs, casting a shadow over his later-career records.

Image source: BALCO scandal

Game of Shadows details alleged PED use

Mar 23, 2006

The book Game of Shadows by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada alleged that Bonds began using steroids in 1998 and detailed extensive doping regimens, intensifying scrutiny of his pursuit of Hank Aaron's home run record.

Image source: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Mitchell Report names Bonds among PED users

Dec 13, 2007

Former Senator George Mitchell's report on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball included allegations against Bonds, further entrenching the controversy surrounding his legacy and records.

Image source: Mitchell Report

Indicted on federal perjury charges

Dec 13, 2007

Bonds was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to testimony before the BALCO grand jury, beginning a legal saga that would last years.

Perjury case dropped without resolution

Dec 2011

Federal prosecutors dismissed the criminal case against Bonds without a conviction or resolution, ending years of litigation. Bonds never admitted using performance-enhancing drugs.

Giants retire No. 25 and unveil Bonds statue

Aug 11, 2018

The San Francisco Giants retired Bonds' No. 25 jersey and dedicated a bronze statue of him outside Oracle Park, formally honoring his contributions to the franchise despite ongoing debates about his legacy.

Key Facts

Barry Bonds was born on July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California, and is the son of MLB All-Star Bobby Bonds and godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays.
He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 1985 MLB Draft and won his first two National League MVP awards with Pittsburgh in 1990 and 1992.
Bonds signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1993 and went on to win five more NL MVP awards (1993, 2001-2004), giving him a record seven MVP titles overall.
In 2001, he hit 73 home runs, setting the single-season home run record, and on August 7, 2007, he surpassed Hank Aaron's mark of 755 to become MLB's all-time home run leader with 762 career home runs.
His career was overshadowed by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use during the BALCO investigation, which has kept him out of the Baseball Hall of Fame despite his statistical achievements.

Source

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