Bonds as a Cub

Yes Bobby Bonds, the father of the "famous" Bonds (as in Barry) played for the Cubs. His official last year in the majors was 1981 and he was in a Cub uniform. He played in only 45 games for the Cubs in 1981, hit 6 HR's, batted .215 and struckout 44 times.

While Bobby made a name for himself as a San Fransisco Giant in the late sixties and early seventies he actually played for seven other teams during his 14 year career. One of the best power and speed combination players; Bobby was actually the second player ever to reach 300 HR's and 300 stolen bases (Willie Mays was the first).I found this card (1982 Fleer # 588) in the bargain bin (20 for $ 1.00) at a flea market this past weekend and could not pass it up. The other nineteen cards I found were also cards I needed, wanted or liked but none compare to having Bobby Bonds in a Cubs uniform. Nothing exciting about this card except for the traditional blue Cub hat which does not match his pants (I wonder what uniform he was actually wearing ?).

Bobby Bonds passed away in 2003 but will always be one of the more exciting players I was able to see play growing up . . . and was a Cubbie, albeit for a very short time.

Duplicate Initials: B.B.

The second letter of the alphabet and my second entry of my "irregular special feature" called Duplicate Initials must highlight the letter B, or in this case B.B. as the players initials.

Many of you might have already thought of "stars" Bobby Bonds or Barry Bonds or Bert Blyleven. There is also Bob Boone, Bob Brenly, Bob Bailey and Bobby Bonilla. There's Bill Bene and Billy Beane and so many others from various decades. "B.B." is not uncommon . . .

My choice is a player who "starred" for the Cubs yet came to into the League as a Dodger and came to "fame" as a Red Sox (or should I say Red Sock). None other than Bill Buckner !

I like this 1970 card, since I am 92 % of the way to complete the 1970 set, but more importantly for this blog post, Buckners card represents a double Duplicate Initial with Jack Jenkins appearing with him.

So there you go . . . my second in my simple series of Duplicate Initials. Next entry will be C.C. . . .who is your favorite C.C. . . . who will I "feature" ?

Bobby Bonds - "Dancing" in 1973

Much has been written about Bobby Bonds over the years, most notable being the Father of Barry, yet so many forget how great a baseball player he really was. The combination of power and speed had not been seen since Willie Mays; Bobby Bonds was actually the second player to hit 300 homeruns and steal 300 bases (Mays being the first).

Bonds played fourteen seasons, seven of which were in San Francisco to begin his career (1968-1974) and interestingly enough he ended his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1981, hitting six home runs in 45 games. Bonds ended his career with 332 career homeruns, 461 stolen bases and had a grand slam as his first major league hit.

The card I am highlighting is his 1973, Topps # 145. I like this “action” shot of Bonds trying to return to first base avoiding the pick off (it looks like a “young” HOF Willie Stargell or is it Bob Robertson ?). In either case Bonds looks like he will be safe as usual.

The back of the card is even more interesting, noting that “Bobby’s Hobby is Dancing”. I think he might be able to win “Dancing with the Stars” if he was able to compete today.

And another one of Topps genius’ messed up on his statistics for 1968 and 1969, his first two years in the majors. Yes they are inaccurate.

From all reliable sources I can find, including his 1969 RC and 1970 second year card, as well the Baseball Almanac, he hit .254 with 9 Hr and 35 RBI in 1968 and batted .259 with 32 HR and 90 RBI in 1969. His 1973 card is all messed up yet his major league totals are indeed correct.

I do not have any later year cards of Bobby Bonds to see if and when his stats were corrected. Can anyone help me on this one ?

Bobby Bonds “danced” . . . on the bases and with his bat.