Article: Counterpoints: Better player: Barry Bonds or Willie Mays?

Bonds

Willie Mays was THE player of my childhood. Aaron hit more home runs, Clemente was more spectacular in the field and Mantle had more thunder, but Mays was the complete package. Barry Bonds is THE player of my lifetime and the superior player.

Bonds has constructed a career in which numbers tell only part of the story. I'll focus on two categories: Bonds has four seasons already in which his slugging percentage is better than the best Mays ever posted, and this season will be the fifth. Bonds' .863 slugging percentage in 2001 is the best in history. Mays drew 1,464 walks in his career; Bonds already has a staggering 2,061 and more every day. By the numbers, Bonds has fewer chances to ...

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