In 2001, baseball legend Bonds set a new single-season slugging average, surpassing Babe Ruth’s .863 batting average.
His notable season included a .328 batting average, 73 home runs, 137 RBIs, and 177 walks, helping the Giants finish with a 90-72 record.
Despite his impressive career performance, which included 762 home runs and 2,558 walks, the Giants missed the playoffs.
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Next article Giants’ Barry Bonds breaks 81-year-old MLB record in 2001 (Image credit: X/@MLB)
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On October 7, 2001, Barry Bonds hit his 73rd home run of the season, setting a single-season record. He achieved this milestone against the Los Angeles Dodgers, breaking the slugging percentage record held by Babe Ruth for 81 years. He finished with a .863 slugging percentage, surpassing the .847 slugging percentage recorded by Ruth in 1920. I will explain this record in detail.
Giants and Bonds’ Perfect 2001 Season
Bonds had a great year, hitting .328 with 73 home runs, 137 RBIs, and an astonishing 177 walks (129 runs, 156 hits, .863 slugging percentage). Meanwhile, the Giants finished the 2001 season with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses (second place in the National League West), but failed to qualify for the playoffs and finished three games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for the wild card spot. .
Giants defeat Dodgers 2-1 in season finale
In the final game of the season, Bonds’ 73rd home run gave the Giants a 2-1 victory over the Dodgers, eclipsing Ruth’s long-standing slugging percentage of .863. Bonds’ HR was hit by Dennis Springer in the first inning, and Gary Sheffield hit the Dodgers’ only RBI in the fourth inning. Bonds also had an RBI, as Yovit Torrerealba had an RBI.
Bonds’ monumental career statistics
For 22 seasons, Bonds played for the Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates. Bond’s illustrious career included 2,986 games played, 9,847 at-bats, 2,935 hits, and 762 home runs, making him the MLB’s all-time home run leader with a batting average of .298. In the postseason, he recorded 37 hits, 9 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 52 walks in 151 at-bats, boasting a batting average of .245.
Records and achievements
Bonds has numerous accolades, including 14 All-Star Awards, seven National League MVP awards, eight Gold Glove Awards, and 12 Silver Slugger Awards. He set multiple records, including a total of 762 home runs and 2,558 walks. Additionally, Bonds is a member of the San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame. This highlights his admirable step in baseball history.
A look back at the league records Bonds broke in 2001
In 2001, Bonds broke multiple major league records. He hit 73 home runs, surpassing Mark McGwire’s 70, and reached 500 home runs on April 17. Furthermore, by the All-Star break, he hit 39 home runs, drew 177 walks, and had an on-base percentage of .515 and a batting average of .863. Slugging percentage. His outstanding season earned him his fourth MVP award and the Babe Ruth Home Run Award.
