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Barry Bonds on juice was perhaps the best player in baseball history. In 2001, he hit 73 homers to set the all-time record that’s unlikely to be broken. That year he also put two other records out of reach.

Bonds homered once every 6.52 at bats, surpassing Mark McGwire’s 1998 pace of a homer every 7.27 times at bat. For the season Bonds’ astounding .863 slugging percentage surpassed Babe Ruth’s single-season record of .847.

In his 20s, Bonds hit 40 or more homers only once, in his 30s he reached the plateau 7 times including 73 in his age-36 season. Over the final eight years of his career, all likely on steroids, Bonds’ on-base percentage was .517. His OPS during that period was 1.241.

There is little doubt that he received help from performance enhancing drugs. Say what you will, but Barry Bonds on PEDs was a player like no other.

The image above shows an contract signed by Bonds agreeing to have lend his signature to souvenir baseballs with stamped signatures. Bonds was compensated one penny per ball sold. The twice-signed contract is dated May 13, 1988.

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Barry Bonds set the single-season home run record in 2001 when he clubbed 73 round-trippers. That eclipsed the previous record of 70 set by Mark McGwire in 1998.

Members of the media wishing to cover the chase needed a special media credential like the one pictured here. While interviewing Bonds was no picnic, his play on the field provided plenty of excitement.

Bonds earned 12 Silver Slugger Awards, eight Gold Glove Awards, and 13 Player of the Month Awards. He finished as the MLB career record holder in homers, walks and intentional walks.

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When Barry Bonds was in pursuit of the Mark McGwire’s single-season home run record in 2001, he had the attention of the entire baseball world. Everyone wanted to see him break the mark. The previously-pictured press pass was required for access to the field, the press box, and the interview room as Bonds neared the mark.

Bonds entered the October 5 contest vs. the Dodgers tied with McGwire at 70 homers. On that cold balmy night in San Francisco, Bonds stepped to the plate in the first inning and smashed Chan Ho Park’s 1-0 offering deep into the night to stand alone as the single-season home run king.

Calling balls and strikes that night was umpire Jerry Layne. In the big leagues since 1989, Layne worked in both the post season and in the 2011 All Star game.

In the collection is the document Layne signed to receive his ring in recognition for working the 2011 Midsummer Classic.

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In 1999 Major League Baseball created the Hank Aaron Award to recognize the the top overall offensive performer in each league. According to MLB.com, a panel of Hall of Famers combines with a fan vote to determine the recipient.

Barry Bonds earned the honor three times. In 2001 when when he set the single-season home run record he also led the league in walks (177), on-base percentage (.515), slugging (.863), and OPS+ (250). The next season he also captured the hardware again. Each of his slash line numbers (.370/.582/.799) lead the league as did his 198 walks and 268 OPS+. His final Aaron nod came in 2004 when he set the single-season mark with 232 walks. He again lead the NL in all of the slash line categories and OPS+. .

Shown here is a telegram from the day after Aaron passed the Babe Ruth to become baseball’s career home run leader. Dated April 9, 1974, it reads, “Congratulations on number 715”. Aaron has signed the bottom right of the telegram. Click here to see a list of Hank Aaron Award winners.

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Barry Bonds is baseball’s single-season and career home run king. The slugger also participated in the Home Run Derby six times.

His first time in the Derby came as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Bonds hit just two homers and finished last among the eight participants. Representing the Giants in 1993 he redeemed himself, finishing tops in the NL. Two American Leaguers finished ahead of him, Ken Griffey Jr., and Derby winner Juan Gonzalez.

Bonds took home the prize in the 1996 Derby held at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium. He also appeared in the event in 2001 and 2002.

Shown here is the lineup card from the 2002 Home Run Derby. It is signed by the Derby’s winner Jason Giambi and All Star manager Bob Brenly.

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Over 200 big league players have sons who also played the game at the highest level. Barry and BobbyBonds stand together as perhaps the greatest father/son duo the game has ever known.

They combined to his 1,094 homers, steal 975 bases, and score 3,485 runs, tops among father/son pairs. Bobby and Barry are the only two players in big league history to record at least 300 homers and 400 stolen bases. The record for most 30-homer/30-steal seasons is 5, done by just two players – Bobby and Barry.

They combined to make 17 All Star Games, and win 11 Gold Gloves. Neither man earned a World Series ring.

When Dusty Baker got his first managerial job in San Francisco, he hired old friend Bobby as a coach in 1993. It was also Barry’s first year with the Giants. They suited up together until 1996. Barry went on to break the single-season and career home run marks. Bobby passed away at age 57 in 2003.

Shown here is an index card signed by Bobby in 1973. More can be seen on Bobby’s page by clicking here.