It's been 20 years since former Wichita Aeros outfielder Bobby Bonds passed away from lung cancer and a brain tumor at age 57.
At age 35, Bonds played 35 games in 1981 for the Aeros in Triple-A; he was then under contract to the Texas Rangers. While with the Aeros, his contract was purchased by the Chicago Cubs in early June, and he was immediately placed on the Major League roster for the Cubs.
Bonds was a three-time Gold Glove rightfielder during his years with the San Francisco Giants, and a three-time All-Star. He was the All-Star Game MVP in 1973 at Royals Stadium, hitting a home run and double off the bench for the National League.
Bonds was the second player in major league baseball history to hit 300 career home runs and steal 300 bases, after Willie Mays.
When he retired shortly after his stint in Wichita, Bonds had 461 career stolen bases, which ranked #12 in major league history at the time.
Bobby Bonds was the father of another baseball star, Barry Bonds.