Barry Bonds - the best baseball player . . . ever?
Barry Bonds'
statistics for the 2001 baseball season were probably the best single season statistics in baseball history. In addition to becoming the first African-American to hold the single season home run record, the most cherished record in the sports world, he also broke the single season record for walks and slugging percentage. He has also won a record four MVP awards. It is possible that the home run record will be broken again this year, but my guess is that Bonds' home run record will stand for at least one and possibly two generations and that the number 73 home runs will one day be as revered as 60 and 61 were for so many years.
At this point
Bonds' career numbers
are one level below the top players in baseball history. He needs one or two more superstar quality years to have career stats comparable to the likes of
Willie Mays,
Hank Aaron,
Babe Ruth, or
Stan Musial;
not an impossible dream for a thirty-seven year old who has demonstrated a Pete Rose like dedication to personal fitness throughout his life.