Barry Bonds — 2000 Season Overview
In the 2000 Major League Baseball season, Barry Bonds continued to establish himself as one of the most elite hitters in the game, putting up a dominant offensive performance for the San Francisco Giants that stands out even among his prolific career numbers.
Key Statistics
During the 2000 season, Bonds posted exceptional numbers over 143 games, showcasing a rare combination of power, plate discipline, and run creation:
Batting Average: .306
Hits: 147
Home Runs: 49
Runs Batted In (RBI): 106
Runs Scored: 129
Walks: 117 (led the National League)
On-Base Percentage: .440
Slugging Percentage: .688
OPS: 1.127
wRC+ (adjusted offense): 174 (well above league average)
These figures reflect an elite offensive season — Bonds combined power and patience at a level few hitters have ever matched. His .688 slugging percentage was a career best to that point and ranked among the top marks in the league.
Accolades & Recognition
Silver Slugger Award: Bonds won the eighth Silver Slugger of his career in 2000, given to the best offensive player at each position.
MVP Voting: Despite his outstanding numbers, he finished second in the National League MVP race, narrowly behind his teammate Jeff Kent — a rare occurrence for a player putting up such historic offensive impact.
Style of Play & Impact
Bonds’ 2000 season was notable not just for the raw statistics, but also for how he produced them:
Plate Discipline: Leading the NL in walks (117) demonstrated that pitchers were cautious — often hesitant to challenge one of baseball’s most feared hitters.
Run Creation: With 129 runs scored and 106 RBI, Bonds was a central figure in the Giants’ offense, both driving in and coming around to score runs at elite levels.
At age 36, Bonds was reaching a new peak, displaying a blend of power and on-base skills that foreshadowed his even more historic seasons in 2001 and beyond.
Legacy & Context
While the 2001 season would soon eclipse 2000 — with Bonds setting the single-season home run record — the 2000 campaign stands on its own as a top-tier offensive performance in a veteran Hall of Famer’s career. It was a perfect bridge between his already great earlier years and the historically dominant stretch that followed.
