# Barry Bonnell

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Barry_Bonnell
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Barry_Bonnell.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonnell
> Source revision: 1309704937
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Robert Barry Bonnell** (born October 27, 1953) is an American former professional [baseball](/source/Baseball) [outfielder](/source/Outfielder). After playing basketball and baseball for the [Ohio State University](/source/Ohio_State_University) (OSU), he played in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) (MLB) for the [Atlanta Braves](/source/Atlanta_Braves), [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays) and [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners) between 1977 and 1986.

## Early life

Bonnell was a star athlete at [Milford High School](/source/Milford_High_School_(Ohio)) near [Cincinnati, Ohio](/source/Cincinnati,_Ohio), where he played both varsity [baseball](/source/Baseball) and [basketball](/source/Basketball) on championship teams. Following high school graduation in 1971, Bonnell attended OSU on a full athletic scholarship where he played both baseball and basketball. Bonnell left college during his senior year to play MLB. The [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) made him the first overall pick in the [1975 MLB January Draft – Secondary Phase](/source/1975_Major_League_Baseball_draft) (for college players who had been previously drafted out of high school).

## MLB career

During his 10-year MLB career, Bonnell played for the Atlanta Braves of the [National League](/source/National_League_(baseball)), and the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays) and [Seattle Mariners](/source/Seattle_Mariners) of the [American League](/source/American_League). His major league debut with the Braves was in a game against the [Pittsburgh Pirates](/source/Pittsburgh_Pirates) on May 4, .

His best year was , when he [hit](/source/Batting_average_(baseball)) .318 (10 [HR](/source/Home_run), 54 [RBI](/source/Run_batted_in) and 10 [SB](/source/Stolen_base)) for the Blue Jays. Known by his peers as a "money hitter", Bonnell hit four grand slams during his career and led his teams in game-winning hits nearly every year he played. Bonnell was known for his strong and accurate throwing arm.

Traded to the Seattle Mariners in , he contracted [Valley fever](/source/Valley_fever) during spring training, and developed pneumonia.[1] Bonnell struggled to play with the affliction. It took a year to recover and he served his remaining two years as a bit player.

## Personal life

Bonnell married his high school sweetheart, Stefnie Stapp. Bonnell is a devout member of [the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints](/source/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints), and he introduced Braves teammate, [Dale Murphy](/source/Dale_Murphy), to the faith.

## References

1. Fordin, Spencer (24 June 2003). ["Where've you gone, Barry Bonnell?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120323112239/http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/tor/y2003/m01/d24/c193550.jsp). *[MLB.com](/source/MLB.com)*. Archived from [the original](http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/tor/y2003/m01/d24/c193550.jsp) on March 23, 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2010.

## External links

- Barry Bonnell [Official website](http://www.barrybonnell.com)
- Glynn, Rory (September 16, 2011). ["Catching up with ... Barry Bonnell"](http://www.cincinnati.com/article/20110915/SPT0401/309150131). *cincinnati.com*. [The Cincinnati Enquirer](/source/The_Cincinnati_Enquirer). Retrieved September 16, 2011.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Barry Bonnell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonnell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonnell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.