Barry Bonds was a star and the winner of his baseball career. His animated character and dominating personality made Bonds tough personality to contend with. However, he won many games for his team, becoming a crucial player on the offense. And for playing against arch-rivals, his name was on the first list. Though Bonds enjoyed doing this once, he raised his hands and showed his unwillingness to become the party to one such game.

Bonds wanted to control things but had his weaknesses, too. Which was visible in his rare reluctances in facing the tough challenges. The book, Love Me, Hate Me, Barry Bonds, And The Making Of An Antihero talks about one such rarity during his time at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

When Barry Bonds Denied Playing a Game

Though success is the most dreamed of, it takes hard work to overcome the challenges that come while on the way. And Barry Bonds did this all his life, becoming an admirable figure in the baseball world. But there are a few chapters of his life journey that puts him on the opposite side.

Author Jeff Pearlman gave a detailed view of one such story. It dates back to Bonds’ time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and goes as, “On the morning of July 29, 1990, Barry entered the Three Rivers Stadium office of Jim Leyland, plopped himself down on the couch, and sighed. I don’t think I can play today. I’ve got a really bad migraine.”

It angered the Manager, who pointed toward the clash against the rivals Philadelphia Phillies. But Bonds insisted, “No, I’m being serious. My family’s visiting, and they’re staying with us and they were up all night, driving me crazy. My head is killing me.” 

His response could not cool down the anger of Jim Leyland. Who criticized Bonds heavily and said, “Barry says he’s got a headache and can’t play. I know the guy’s f*cking lying. He just doesn’t wanna face a fuc*in’ lefty pitcher.”

The claim of Bonds’ fear against lefty pitchers was true, but it did not last long.

A Fear That Could Not Last Long

Bonds was initially uncomfortable against the lefty pitchers, he did not care about it later. His records prove the same. Bonds recorded a great average of 0.289 with an OPS of 0.986 against the lefty pitchers. He also scored 227 HRs and 660 RBIs against them in his career.

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His reluctance to face LHPs once brought his fear to the surface. The same fear became Bonds’ strength, which put him on the list of best hitters against the LHPs.

And he would always remain a role model for players, who want to overcome their fear reaching great fights in their careers.

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