I like to be against the odds. I'm not afraid to be lonely at the top. With me, it's just the satisfaction of the game. Just performance." - Barry Bonds.

Barry Lamar Bonds was born on Friday, July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California. The son of former All-Star Bobby Bonds and the godson of Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, Bonds grew up surrounded by the sport of baseball.

Barry Bonds attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California. He played three sports: football, basketball, and of course, baseball. Although he was drafted by the San Francisco Giants after graduating from high school, Bonds elected to go to college instead. Bonds spent his college years at Arizona State University.

At the age of 21 years old, Bonds made his major league debut. On May 30, 1986, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted him sixth overall in the 1985 amateur draft. He would play with the Pirates until 1993, when he signed a lucrative free agent contract worth $ 43.75 million with the San Francisco Giants.

As a leftie, Bonds bats and throws using his left hand, reminiscent of the great Babe Ruth. Currently a left fielder for San Francisco Giants, he is the holder of many MLB records, including most home runs in a single season (73) and is second on the all-time career home runs list at 716. Only Hank Aaron's has more than that, with a career total of 755 home runs. Bonds has also been the recipient of seven National League Most Valuable Player awards – an unprecedented number.

Nigel Kerry: Writer for Sportus.com and UsBookies.com