Bobby Bonds—A Near Great

 By JT 

Always loved Bobby Bonds and his power and speed and arm and the rest of his skill set. Even so, looking back, we are not sure we can call him great. 

His 11-year peak (shown above, courtesy PFR) shows a guy who averaged 28 HRs and 39 SBs over that span. He was a good right fielder with a very, very good arm. 

He received MVP votes in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, and 1977 and was an All-Star in 1971, 1973, and 1975 and was a Sporting News All-Star in 1973 and 1977 (UPI and AP also) and an honorable mention in 1978 by UPI.

He was All-MLB in 1973 (NEA) and also Second-team All-MLB by AP. He was an honorable mention All-MLB pick in 1975.

In summary Bonds post-season honor years (Votes for MVP and/or All-Star teams)—

1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1978.

He also won three Gold Gloves (1971, 1973, 1974).

Amazingly he had nine titles in "Power-Speed"—

All we know is he'd be great in today's game.