Wednesday, May 28, 2014
no. 295 - bobby bonds
Who is the man: Bobby Bonds just got finished doing a lot of things when this card hit packs. In 1970, he appeared at the plate 745 times, reached 200 hits for the only time in his career, hit .300 for the only time in his career, stole a career best 48 bases, and established a longstanding record for strikeouts in a season with 189. It amazes me he didn't get a single MVP vote.
Can ya dig it: For a long time, I owned Bonds' second-year card, in the 1970 set. I probably should have never traded it away.
Right on: It appears that Bonds is staring into the distance while standing in Shea Stadium.
You see this cat Bonds is a bad mother: Not only did Bonds become the first to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a single season twice, but he accomplished the 30/30 feat five times. He also brought Barry Bonds into the world.
Shut your mouth: Bonds was always hounded by comparisons to Willie Mays and that word that drives everyone crazy -- "potential." He once said, "all the writers kept talking about was potential. You haven't reached your potential yet, they say. Well, unless you win a Pulitzer Prize, you're not living up to your potential either, are you?"
No one understands him but his woman: By the end of his career, Bonds suffered from image problems. He was accused of being a troublemaker, drug user and drinker. Between 1978 and 1981, he spent no more than one season each with the White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Cardinals and Cubs.
(A word about the back): There's a typo in the write-up. Bonds did not play for both the Western Carolinas League and the Giants in 1970 as the bio says. Bonds actually played in the Western Carolinas League in 1965.
That 1970 Bonds was the only Bobby Bonds card I had for like, ever.
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