SF Giants: Barry Bonds documentary to air on ESPN on Sunday

ESPN E60 is set to air a documentary on Sunday titled Bonds about longtime SF Giants outfielder Barry Bonds and his Hall of Fame candidacy as he enters the final year of eligibility. The documentary premiers at 9:30 PM ET and will be hosted by Jeremy Schaap.

SF Giants: Barry Bonds documentary to air on ESPN on Sunday

Bonds will feature an impressive list of interviewees including former Giants manager Dusty Baker as well as former teammates Will Clark, Eric Davis, and Andy Van Slyke.

Of course, Bonds put together one of the most impressive careers in baseball history. His résumé includes seven MVP awards, 14 All-Star nods,12 Silver Sluggers, eight Gold Gloves, and two batting titles while setting a record for most career home runs at 762.

Based on numbers alone, the left-handed slugger should have been elected to the Hall of Fame years ago. But, context is needed as well and it is no secret. The voters have shunned an entire era of baseball as they view the numbers produced by any player involved in the steroid controversy as tainted.

Bonds has been on the ballot for the past nine seasons and he has seen a gradual increase in his vote percentage, reaching as high as 61.8 percent in 2020. However, he needs to appear on 75 percent of the ballots to be elected to the Hall of Fame. The 13 percent margin is going to be a tough uphill battle to climb in his final year of eligibility as voters have strong opinions of Bonds and his place in the steroid controversy.

With that being said, this is going to be one of the most fascinating Hall of Fame votes in recent memory. Bonds and Roger Clemens are entering their 10th and final year on the ballot, whereas David Ortiz and Álex Rodríguez will appear on the ballot for the first time.

Whether fair or unfair, all four players have some role in the steroid controversy but will the new entrants be treated like Bonds and Clemens? That remains to be seen but public perception could be a factor. Ortiz and Rodriguez are active members of the media now and their perceived likability could sway some votes.

Of course, the opposite is true for Bonds and Clemens as they are perceived as villains in a way and some of that is deserved. Bonds, in particular, has regretted how he treated the media during his playing career.

Nonetheless, Bonds is set to air tonight and discuss a number of issues relating to Bonds and his complicated legacy on ESPN. You can see a preview for it by clicking on this link. It is sure to be a fascinating documentary.