Bobby Lee Bonds (March 15, 1946 - August 23, 2003) was a Major League Baseball right fielder from 1968 to 1981. He was the father of Barry Bonds. He died of complications from lung cancer and a brain tumor.

Over a 14-season career Bonds played for eight different teams, but played more than one season for only two teams, the San Francisco Giants in seven seasons and the California Angels in two seasons (with Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, and Cardinals, one each). He batted and threw right-handed.

Bonds was remarkable during his era for his combination of power and speed and for his propensity to strikeout. He was a five-time member of the 30-30 club, a three-time Gold Glove winner, and a three-time All-Star (winning the All Star Game MVP award in 1973). In 1973, he placed third in the National League MVP award voting. In 1971, he placed fourth.

In 1970 he set a Major League record with 187 strikeouts, and broke his own record a year later with 189.

When Bonds retired, he was third in lifetime strikeouts with 1,757 (behind Willie Stargell (1,912) and Reggie Jackson (1,810). Bonds was the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to have over 300 lifetime homeruns and over 400 lifetime stolen bases. His son Barry is the second in history. He and his son are two of only a few members of the 300-300 club.

Bonds is sixth on the career list of home runs for the Giants franchise with 186.

He hit a grand slam in his first major league game, June 25, 1968, becoming only the second man to do so (the first being Bill Duggleby in 1898.)

Born in Riverside, California, Bonds signed with the Giants in 1964 out of high school. As a player, coach, scout and front-office employee, he was with the franchise for 23 seasons.

Bonds' brother Robert played in the National Football League and his sister Rosie was an Olympic sprinter.

External link