There are records that impress, and others that seem unbelievable. Barry Bonds’ record of 688 intentional walks belongs to the second category. In the history of baseball, no player has ever instilled as much fear in opponents. Teams preferred to give him a free base rather than risk throwing to him. Here’s a look back at one of the most fascinating facts in American sports.
A record so crazy it seems made up
Barry Bonds was intentionally walked 688 times in his career — a mind-blowing number that leaves all others far behind. The second on the list, Albert Pujols, received only 316. This gap is huge and shows just how dominant Bonds was during his prime.
In 2004 alone, Bonds set an unthinkable single-season record with 120 intentional walks. That’s more than many great players get over their entire careers. Even in dangerous game situations, with runners already on base, opposing managers chose to avoid pitching to him directly.
Why was Barry Bonds so feared ?
Barry Bonds had the power to change the course of a game with a single swing. With legendary strength and incredible plate discipline, any mistake from a pitcher could become a home run. Teams preferred to give him a base instead of risking humiliation or a game-changing hit.
It wasn’t just raw power — Bonds had a phenomenal eye. He rarely swung at bad pitches. This made him a constant threat even when he didn’t swing the bat. His presence alone could alter how pitchers approached an entire lineup.
The day a team gave up a run on purpose
One of the most unbelievable moments in Bonds’ career came in 1998. The Arizona Diamondbacks decided to intentionally walk him with the bases loaded. That means they willingly gave up a run — just to avoid facing him.
This is one of the rarest decisions in MLB history. It shows the incredible respect and fear Bonds commanded. Opposing teams were willing to concede a point rather than face the chance of even bigger damage. It became an iconic moment in baseball lore.
This record may never be broken
Modern baseball has evolved. Today’s game, with advanced analytics and more balanced lineups, is less likely to see such an individual dominance. Managers are also less inclined to give up free bases as a strategy.
Additionally, players today rarely receive more than 20 or 30 intentional walks in a season. Barry Bonds remains an outlier, a unique force who forced the game to adapt around him. His intentional walk record may be the most untouchable stat in the sport.
Other insane records and feats by Barry Bonds
If his intentional walk tally is already astonishing, Barry Bonds holds plenty more legendary records. He is the all-time leader in career home runs with 762, a number that still sparks debate but is officially recognized by Major League Baseball.
In 2001, he hit 73 home runs in a single season, another all-time high. That same year, he posted an on-base percentage (OBP) of .515 — one of the best ever recorded. Pitchers simply had no answer for him, and his offensive stats became benchmarks for future generations.
Bonds also won a record seven National League MVP awards and was selected to 14 All-Star Games. Whether by power, patience or consistency, he redefined what an offensive player could achieve. Even with controversy surrounding his career, his impact on the game remains unmatched.
Barry Bonds’ complete profile
| Full name | Barry Lamar Bonds |
| Date of birth | July 24, 1964 |
| Place of birth | Riverside, California, USA |
| MLB teams | Pittsburgh Pirates (1986–1992), San Francisco Giants (1993–2007) |
| Position | Left fielder |
| Bats / Throws | Left / Left |
| Career home runs | 762 (MLB record) |
| Intentional walks | 688 (MLB record) |
| NL MVP awards | 7 times (record) |
| All-Star selections | 14 appearances |
| Other awards | 8 Gold Gloves, 12 Silver Sluggers |
| Key characteristics | Exceptional power, elite plate discipline, dominant yet controversial player |