Barry Bonds says he can still hit 100 MPH pitches and honestly, he’s probably right

Barry Bonds was on the All The Smoke podcast and got hit with a simple question from Stephen Jackson: At 60 years old, could he still hit a 100 MPH fastball?

Bonds didn’t hesitate. He immediately said yes, like it was the easiest question in the world. And honestly? I believe him.

Barry Bonds: “100? That’s easy.”

Barry Bonds says he can still hit 100 MPH pitches 👀

"100? That's easy."

(via @allthesmokeprod) pic.twitter.com/BewXIi4Og6

— MLB (@MLB) March 6, 2025

Look, steroids or not, Barry Bonds was the best hitter of our generation. Arguably, the greatest hitter of all time. The guy is 60 now, but he’s still in ridiculous shape. He looks like he could walk into a big-league clubhouse today and go 2-for-4 with an intentional walk. His swing might not have the same pop, but his hands, his eyes, and his mind? Those haven’t aged a day.

Why Bonds Would Still Mash 100 MPH

People think 100 MPH is some impossible number. It’s not. For mere mortals, that is probably a terrifying thought but we’re talking about Barry Bonds who considers a 100 mph heater just another fastball looking to get absolutely crushed.

This is the same dude who saw maybe one pitch per series to hit, and more often than not, he sent it into orbit. Bonds wasn’t just great at hitting home runs—he was great at making pitchers look completely helpless.

“Hitting a 100 MPH fastball is like a catcher catching it. You just replace the glove with a bat.”

That’s what Bonds said on the podcast, and yeah, it sounds like something only a superhuman would say. But that’s how it looked when he played. It really did seem that easy for him.

We all remember Bonds vs. Eric Gagné, right? One of the best at-bats of all time. Gagné was at the height of his powers, throwing absolute gas, and Bonds worked the count, fouled off the tough stuff, and then turned 99 MPH into a souvenir.

Eric Gagne vs Barry Bonds. Cy Young vs MVP. Every one in the stadium was standing and every player was at the top step of the dugout. This is so legendary pic.twitter.com/5R5UA81arT

— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) January 26, 2025

Speed Never Bothered Bonds

Bonds didn’t care if you threw 90, 95, or 100. He never looked uncomfortable in the box. Guys like him aren’t phased by velocity. He had the best eye in baseball history, an approach that was borderline robotic, and the confidence of a guy who knew he was better than you before he even stepped in the box.

Could a 60-year-old Barry Bonds take Aroldis Chapman deep? I don’t know. Maybe not. But could he make contact against 100 MPH? Hell yes. The reflexes, the timing, the hand-eye coordination—that doesn’t just disappear.

MLB Needs to Make This Happen

Now that Bonds has said it, I need to see it. MLB, take notes.

Give us a retired players showcase at the All-Star Game. Let Bonds step in the box against actual gas. Set up a machine at 100 and let the guy rake. If MLB wants to generate buzz, this is the move.

It’s time to put this debate to the test. Because I’ll tell you right now—if that pitch is straight, Barry Bonds is still hitting it 110 MPH the other way.

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