Most I talk with think Barry Bonds ingested steroids in one way or another. I want to suggest another issue that may have had more impact on his inflated home run numbers than the alleged steroid abuse: Barry Bonds is armed. Just look at the pictures of Bonds when at bat, and you’ll observe a noticeable set of pads and gear around his right elbow, forearm and tricep. That’s the basis for his inflated numbers right there.
Have you ever faced a 100mph fastball? Fear is at the heart of batting, and Reggie Jackson was one who openly admitted how scary it was. Standing on top of the plate puts the body at threat, and since getting hit hurts bad, most batters stand away from the plate. When they do, it gives the pitcher room to maneuver: throw outside and get the batter to lean, and then jam him inside; or get him pulling off the plate and throw it on the paint away, and you’ve got him again.
I rest my case: Barry Bonds might be taking steroids, and that might help him hit more homers. But he is wearing armor, and that armor clearly permits him to crowd the plate, and pull more hits into McCovey Cove.