When you mention the name Barry Bonds, it immediately clicks.
This is your all-time home run king*, and even though he's retired, he's probably the most polarizing figure in all of baseball. For example, MLB decided to celebrate Bonds with his social media posts during Black History Month. As a result, many people have some thoughts. Because of course they did.
Like most organizations, Major League Baseball celebrates Black History Month throughout February by giving flowers to some of its most iconic Black players, and Sunday was Bonds' turn.
But…there's just one problem.
Barry Bonds had one of the greatest offensive careers of all time. He hit a record 762 home runs in 22 seasons with an OPS of 1.051.
Bonds won an unprecedented seven National League MVP awards, 12 Silver Slugger Awards and eight Gold Glove Awards. Bonds has been named an All-Star 14 times, leading the league… pic.twitter.com/UQfaocPbbM
— MLB (@MLB) February 11, 2024
Yes, Bonds has accomplished a lot, and certainly he's one of the greatest figures in the game – but those just happen to be the big asterisks next to everything that's in the history books.
Although there is still speculation surrounding Bonds regarding PEDs and steroids, Bonds himself still suggests he never did it with his knowledge. Excluding BALCO cream. As a result of this allegation, Barry Bonds was not inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. for 10 years that he is qualified.
But for some reason, MLB took all the credit for Bonds on social media anyway and shockingly (*obvious irony*) made no mention of the accusations. (Related: Las Vegas mayor has no interest in Athletics moving to Sin City)
And baseball fans could smell it.
I wish there was a museum, or at least a room or even a hall, commemorating his accomplishments. https://t.co/b45wgSFEEP
— Razzball (@Razzball) February 11, 2024
I can't wait until the intern who posted this finds out what they started with. https://t.co/pR0H7ELq6P
— Profulmore (@loumoore12) February 11, 2024
I don't follow sports, so if they're celebrating him like this, I just assume this guy is in the Hall of Fame. https://t.co/gbyHxJWmuD
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) February 11, 2024
As we salute his peers, Happy Black History Month to this man who blacklisted him from the Hall of Fame as the face of steroid use for an entire generation 🙂👍 https://t.co/i6tOUb5y7v
— Kero Kero Muttnik (@muttnik) February 11, 2024
And yet you give him the Lloyd test to save face when 46274225% of the league is doing it and then you don't try to defend him for being a Hall of Famer, this is funny
— Benny from the Block (Suburban) (@GeekyB) February 11, 2024
Major League Baseball has egg all over its face…it's really bad.
