Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

[24]

Their have been a couple of "who would you rather have" threads floating around recently so I'd thought I add another. So who would you rather take when they were at their best, Ken Griffey Jr or Barry Bonds? I'm having a real tough time deciding who I want. On one hand Griffey was amazing back in his Seattle days but Bonds put together some fantastic seasons as well.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Their have been a couple of "who would you rather have" threads floating around recently so I'd thought I add another. So who would you rather take when they were at their best, Ken Griffey Jr or Barry Bonds? I'm having a real tough time deciding who I want. On one hand Griffey was amazing back in his Seattle days but Bonds put together some fantastic seasons as well.

Who do I like more? Ken Griffey, hands down. I think we forget already how much fun the guy was...from his smile, laughing, hat backwards, etc. He was a kid out there and so much fun to watch. He was a stud and put together an amazing career.

All that said, Barry Bonds, and this is pre-roid Bonds, was arguably one of the most talented players to ever play. He was a great defensive player, great baserunner, great hitter...he could do it all. Griffey was a good to great defender, but he never was a great baserunner/stealer and he always struck out more than he walked. I think you can put Bonds from 1990-1998 up there with anyone.

I'd probably take Griffey because I don't think the talent/skill level is that different and I like him more, but just based on numbers/talent I have to say Bonds.

[bonafied0034]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

I have to go Griffey on this one. I still feel that if he had been healthier towards the end of his career, we would have seen him surpass Hank Aaron's mark.

[JerzeyReign]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Even though Bonds is one of the all time greats -- was going to be that way before he started hitting them out of the park IMO -- Junior was the sole reason I got into baseball.. This sounds cheesy but I wore #12 in honor of him growing up -- only wanting to be half as good as him. I even taught myself to bat lefthanded so I could have a stance like him.

The only thing I didn't like was centerfield -- shortstop is the spot, lol.

Junior is my favorite baseball player -- I won't even compare stats or anything -- I watched him play and he was simply amazing.

But I will throw this in there -- without injuries -- he'd be the homerun king

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Why choose? George Costanza figured out a way to get Bonds AND Griffey, without having to give up that much.

[12]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Junior, but I am heavily biased.

He's my childhood hero.

[redsrule]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Junior, but I am heavily biased.

He's my childhood hero.

This.
It's a shame we never got to see how his career numbers would have ended up if he never got injured.

[Pappy Knuckles]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Griffey! I don't even really follow much baseball anymore, but I was a huge Ken Griffey Jr. fan growing up. I still remember when all of us neighborhood kids would play baseball in this field and whenever I blasted it I'd do his little homerun strut. Even accounting for Bonds talent and taking steroids out of the equation, I still want Griffey.

[lonewolf371]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

I'd have to go with Bonds. His 1990 and 1993 seasons are two of the best in baseball history, and both supposedly came without steroids. If you include the 'roid years Bonds really blows Griffey out of the water.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

I'm not much for what-ifs. Bonds and it isn't close.

[SidVish]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

I'd have to go with Bonds. His 1990 and 1993 seasons are two of the best in baseball history, and both supposedly came without steroids. If you include the 'roid years Bonds really blows Griffey out of the water.

I'm not much for what-ifs. Bonds and it isn't close.

I'm going Bonds as well. I know Griffey will probably win the poll as he was a very likeable guy. However, in regards to baseball talent, I'm taking Bonds all day every day.

[24]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

I was look at the stats the other day and Barry Bonds Seasons from 2001-2004 were straight out ridiculous. I forgot some of the staggering numbers he put up hitting wise. Not to Mention Barry was a gold glove defender and could fly around the bases when he was younger. I Like Griffey more out of the two but in terms of who I rather have, I'm going to take Bonds

[Qdiddy]

Bonds was great, but Griffey had one of the nicest, productive swings in baseball history. You can't lose with either but all things being equal my nod goes to Jr.

[DieHardYankee26]

Bonds was great, but Griffey had one of the nicest, productive swings in baseball history. You can't lose with either but all things being equal my nod goes to Jr.

Let's not slight Barry. One of the most compact, fundamental swings ever. Griffey's was "prettier", but it can't be denied that Bonds' was more productive. 762 speaks for itself

[jth1331]

Re: Barry Bonds or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Even before the steroids Bonds was a HOF player. After the steroids, he put up RIDICULOUS numbers. He walked 232 times in one season, OBP of .609. That isn't slugging, that is his OBP. His last season, he only played in 126 games but led the league in walks with 132, only hit .276 and still posted an OBP of .480.

As for defense, both I feel are similar there. Both were good to great.

Hitting, Bonds was the better hitter.

Now, in terms of building a team around, do you build around the likeable guy or, the guy who seems to be a sort of *** around others at times?