756

[neutral88]

Imagine if Bonds had of taken the deal with the giants, like Griffey, istead of going to college....4 more years and even early in his career he hit 20-30 homers...he would have around 856 right now

[imported_mega]

People dont understand but Griffey could have never passed Bonds because Bonds career started earlier and he was ahead of him before Griffey ever started. For Griffey to have passed Bonds, he would have had to had production similar to that of what Sosa had and that may not have been enough because Bonds still averaged around 40 homeruns a year. Sure Griffey probably would have passed Aaron eventually but its unlikely he would have done it before Bonds.

Even if you take the 73 away and replace it with an average of around 40, hes still ahead of the pace at what Griffey would probably be at.

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

i disagree......look at what bonds averaged his first 10 seasons........compare that to griffeys 1st 10 years

when griffey got hurt and missed alot of time he was averaging close to 50 a year

[imported_mega]

Bonds had 47 more homeruns going into 2000. If Griffey was averaging 50 and Bonds was averaging 40, it would have still took him until 2005 to catch up and that still doesnt change the fact that some of Bonds best power #s were ahead of him all the while being walked a gagillion times which makes it even more impressive, steroids or not. 49,73,46,45,and 45 more would have likely given Griffey an even further margin to make up, probably one that wouldnt have been able to have been made up even in 2005 when Bonds only played in a handful of games and hit 5 homeruns. The 26 last year and 22 this year would likely be hit before Griffey could have made up a difference of around 60-80 homeruns. Lets not forget also that Griffey was a curveball hitter playing a ballpark that fit him perfectly. Changing leagues and ballparks also slowed his production although its unfair to say how much because he was hurt so often.

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

i dont really think that the change in leagues and ballparks really hurt him that much

seattle moved to safeco field in 99......the next year he was off to the NL where he immediatley hit 40 in cincy

riverfront and the kingdome were almost ideantical except for the roof

once cincy opened up the new park........smaller than riverfront.....he would have been able to benefit had he not missed so much time due to injury

also not to be lost in that was that was also at a time when balls were still flying out of coors.....where he didnt get to play with seattle

but the fact that he missed more than half of the 95 season.....and the 02 and 03 seasons.......with about a third of the 01 and 06 season

based on the kind of numbers hes put up........missing that much time over a span of 5 seasons has probably cost him no fewer than 125-150 HRs.......he may not be neck and neck with bonds......but he would be damn close to him and considering hes 5 years youger still has time

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

bonds had 47 more going into 2000 with 3 years on griffey

in 72 game sin 95 griffey hit 17.........if he doesnt miss more than half that season.......bonds advantage going into 2000 probably would have been less than 30.......with 3 more seasons on junior

[imported_mega]

Yeah I mean I think he would eventually pass Bonds, no doubt about that but I was being generous and factoring in 50hr's a year average. I have no idea how many years in a row someone has even hit 50 homeruns.

"but the fact that he missed more than half of the 95 season.....and the 02 and 03 seasons.......with about a third of the 01 and 06 season"

I understand that too as Bonds missed 50 games in 94, 60 games in 99, and 148 games in 05. Griffey did have the luxary of being able to DH on days when he had tired legs or wasnt able to play the field. Not sure how often that was, but being an American League player definetely has its perks. I wont even get into how tough of a ballpark Candlestick and PacBell have been on hitters, but had Mays not moved to the west coast, we might be talking about him as a homerun champion instead of just a 660 guy.

I'll admit that Griffey is more of a longball hitter than Bonds, I really feel like Bonds is more of a pure hitter that has power. At the same time though, the walks show me that Bonds is a more selective hitter and a more feared hitter.

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

griffey didnt often need to rest his legs with seattle as he was still in his 20's.....and edgar martinez was their DH and he couldnt play the field worth crap

my whole point is that bonds started three years before griffey......and even if you factor in the time the have both missed still hasnt missed as much time......meaning bonds is probably still at least 4 full years ahead of griffey right now.......and 5 years older

i still think had griffey stayed healthy he would be very close right now......and since i think bonds is done after this year griffey eventually passes him

i would still think griffey has at least 4 more years to play

if he can stay healthy i still think he may make a run at bonds assuming he retires after this year.......but likely wont catch him

as for mays i dont know how many HRs he pulled down the line.....the polo grounds was short down both lines and just insanely long to the alleys and dead center

[imported_MoonlightGraham]

mcgwire was a pitcher in college. he was the ace for usc at the time.

usc's number two? randy johnson.

[BlueWahooChambordDevil]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaneCook</div><div class="ubbcode-body">mcgwire was a pitcher in college. he was the ace for usc at the time.

usc's number two? randy johnson. </div></div>
wow......i didnt know that

mc gwire played first base for the olympic team