Dwight Evans vs. Bobby Bonds: Every Tool, Every Number, One Winner

June 17, 2026June 26, 2024 by Jake Cain

Last Updated: June 17, 2026

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Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Jake Cain

Seeing how players stack up against each other is a baseball fan’s dream. Today, we’ll dive into the careers of Dwight Evans and Bobby Bonds. Both right fielders made significant impacts on the game, blending power, speed, and defensive prowess. Let’s explore their careers, stats, and achievements to see how these two icons stack up.

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Dwight Evans vs Bobby Bonds — via Stathead

Early Careers and Breakthroughs

Dwight Evans began his MLB journey with the Boston Red Sox in 1972. Drafted in the fifth round of the 1969 MLB draft, Evans initially made his mark as a defensive standout before evolving into a powerful hitter. His breakout year came in 1981, when he led the American League in home runs (22), total bases (215), and OPS (.937), despite a strike-shortened season.

Bobby Bonds made a stunning debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1968. In his very first game, he hit a grand slam, becoming just the second player in history to achieve this feat. Bonds quickly became known for his unique combination of power and speed. Throughout his career, he played for multiple teams, including the Yankees, Angels, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Cardinals, and Cubs, but his most notable years were with the Giants.

Statistical Comparisons

Numbers help tell the story of Dwight Evans and Bobby Bonds’ impactful careers. Here’s how they compare:

Batting Average: Evans (.272), Bonds (.268)
Hits: Evans (2,446), Bonds (1,886)
Home Runs: Evans (385), Bonds (332)
RBIs: Evans (1,384), Bonds (1,024)
Stolen Bases: Evans (78), Bonds (461)

Evans had the edge in batting average, hits, home runs, and RBIs, showcasing his consistency as a power hitter. Bonds, however, was known for his speed on the bases, with an impressive 461 stolen bases, joining the elite 300-300 club (300 home runs and 300 stolen bases), a testament to his dual-threat capabilities.

Impact on the Game

Dwight Evans was a cornerstone of the Red Sox for nearly two decades. Known for his strong arm, he accumulated 157 outfield assists in his career. His defining moments include a spectacular catch and subsequent double play in the 1975 World Series. Offensively, Evans evolved from a defensive specialist to a consistent power hitter, winning two Silver Slugger Awards.

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1972	20	BOS	AL	18	64	57	2	15	3	1	1	6	0	0	7	13	.263	.344	.404	.747	117	23	2	0	0	0	0	7/H9
1973	21	BOS	AL	119	328	282	46	63	13	1	10	32	5	0	40	52	.223	.320	.383	.703	93	108	8	1	3	2	2	*97H/D8
1974	22	BOS	AL	133	514	463	60	130	19	8	10	70	4	4	38	77	.281	.335	.421	.756	110	195	9	2	6	5	2	*9H/D87
1975	23	BOS	AL	128	470	412	61	113	24	6	13	56	3	4	47	60	.274	.353	.456	.809	120	188	10	4	5	2	3	*9H/D
1976	24	BOS	AL	146	571	501	61	121	34	5	17	62	6	7	57	92	.242	.324	.431	.755	109	216	11	6	3	4	4	*9/8HD	GG
1977	25	BOS	AL	73	265	230	39	66	9	2	14	36	4	2	28	58	.287	.363	.526	.889	128	121	3	0	6	1	0	98/HD
1978	26	BOS	AL	147	572	497	75	123	24	2	24	63	8	5	65	119	.247	.336	.449	.784	109	223	15	2	6	2	2	*9/HD8	AS,GG
1979	27	BOS	AL	152	563	489	69	134	24	1	21	58	6	9	69	76	.274	.364	.456	.820	115	223	14	1	3	1	7	*9/H8	GG
1980	28	BOS	AL	148	542	463	72	123	37	5	18	60	3	1	64	98	.266	.358	.484	.842	124	224	5	5	6	4	6	*9/HD8
1981	29	BOS	AL	108	504	412	84	122	19	4	22	71	3	2	85	85	.296	.415	.522	.937	163	215	8	1	3	3	1	*9	AS,MVP-3,GG,SS
1982	30	BOS	AL	*162*	727	609	122	178	37	7	32	98	3	2	112	125	.292	.402	.534	.936	149	325	17	1	3	2	1	*9/D	MVP-7,GG
1983	31	BOS	AL	126	544	470	74	112	19	4	22	58	3	0	70	97	.238	.338	.436	.774	106	205	12	2	0	2	5	9D/H	GG
1984	32	BOS	AL	*162*	*738*	630	*121*	186	37	8	32	104	3	1	96	115	.295	.388	.532	*.920*	147	335	19	4	1	7	2	*9/D	MVP-11,GG
1985	33	BOS	AL	159	744	617	110	162	29	1	29	78	7	2	*114*	105	.263	.378	.454	.832	124	280	16	5	1	7	4	*9/D	GG
1986	34	BOS	AL	152	640	529	86	137	33	2	26	97	3	3	97	117	.259	.376	.476	.853	131	252	11	6	2	6	4	*9/HD
1987	35	BOS	AL	154	657	541	109	165	37	2	34	123	4	6	106	98	.305	.417	.569	.986	157	308	10	3	0	7	6	39/DH	AS,MVP-4,SS
1988	36	BOS	AL	149	645	559	96	164	31	7	21	111	5	1	76	99	.293	.375	.487	.861	136	272	16	1	2	7	3	93/DH8	MVP-9
1989	37	BOS	AL	146	630	520	82	148	27	3	20	100	3	3	99	84	.285	.397	.463	.861	136	241	16	3	1	7	1	9D
1990	38	BOS	AL	123	522	445	66	111	18	3	13	63	3	4	67	73	.249	.349	.391	.740	104	174	18	4	0	6	5	*D/H
1991	39	BAL	AL	101	329	270	35	73	9	1	6	38	2	3	54	54	.270	.393	.378	.771	119	102	7	2	1	2	2	9HD
20 Yrs				2606	10569	8996	1470	2446	483	73	385	1384	78	59	1391	1697	.272	.370	.470	.840	127	4230	227	53	52	77	60
162 Game Avg.				162	657	559	91	152	30	5	24	86	5	4	86	105	.272	.370	.470	.840	127	263	14	3	3	5	4
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
BOS (19 yrs)				2505	10240	8726	1435	2373	474	72	379	1346	76	56	1337	1643	.272	.369	.473	.842	127	4128	220	51	51	75	58
BAL (1 yr)				101	329	270	35	73	9	1	6	38	2	3	54	54	.270	.393	.378	.771	119	102	7	2	1	2	2

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Bobby Bonds was renowned for his power-speed combination. He was the first player to have more than two seasons of 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, achieving this a record five times. His ability to blend power at the plate with speed on the bases made him a dynamic player and a multiple Gold Glove Award winner.

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1968	22	SFG	NL	81	349	307	55	78	10	5	9	35	16	7	38	84	.254	.336	.407	.743	122	125	0	1	1	2	0	98/H
1969	23	SFG	NL	158	720	622	120	161	25	6	32	90	45	4	81	*187*	.259	.351	.473	.824	131	294	9	10	3	4	3	*98/H	MVP-30
1970	24	SFG	NL	157	*745*	663	134	200	36	10	26	78	48	10	77	*189*	.302	.375	.504	.879	135	334	6	2	1	2	7	*98/H
1971	25	SFG	NL	155	691	619	110	178	32	4	33	102	26	8	62	137	.288	.355	.512	.867	145	317	10	5	0	5	6	*98/H	AS,MVP-4,GG
1972	26	SFG	NL	153	697	626	118	162	29	5	26	80	44	6	60	137	.259	.326	.446	.772	116	279	13	5	1	5	4	*98
1973	27	SFG	NL	160	738	643	*131*	182	34	4	39	96	43	17	87	*148*	.283	.370	.530	.900	143	*341*	8	4	0	4	9	*9/H8	AS,MVP-3,GG
1974	28	SFG	NL	150	670	567	97	145	22	8	21	71	41	11	95	134	.256	.364	.434	.798	119	246	4	4	0	4	8	*9/8H	GG
1975	29	NYY	AL	145	626	529	93	143	26	3	32	85	30	17	89	137	.270	.375	.512	.888	151	271	10	3	0	5	8	*98D/H7	AS,MVP-30
1976	30	CAL	AL	99	427	378	48	100	10	3	10	54	30	15	41	90	.265	.337	.386	.723	119	146	7	3	0	5	6	9/8DH
1977	31	CAL	AL	158	679	592	103	156	23	9	37	115	41	18	74	141	.264	.342	.520	.862	136	308	9	2	1	10	5	*9D/H	MVP-16
1978	32	TOT	AL	156	657	565	93	151	19	4	31	90	43	22	79	120	.267	.355	.480	.834	133	271	14	2	3	8	7	*9D/H
1978	32	CHW	AL	26	102	90	8	25	4	0	2	8	6	2	10	10	.278	.347	.389	.735	106	35	2	0	1	1	1	9/DH
1978	32	TEX	AL	130	555	475	85	126	15	4	29	82	37	20	69	110	.265	.356	.497	.853	138	236	12	2	2	7	6	*9D/H
1979	33	CLE	AL	146	631	538	93	148	24	1	25	85	34	23	74	135	.275	.367	.463	.830	123	249	9	8	4	7	4	*9D/H
1980	34	STL	NL	86	270	231	37	47	5	3	5	24	15	5	33	74	.203	.305	.316	.621	71	73	4	2	1	3	3	7H9
1981	35	CHC	NL	45	190	163	26	35	7	1	6	19	5	6	24	44	.215	.323	.380	.703	96	62	4	2	1	0	5	8/9
14 Yrs				1849	8090	7043	1258	1886	302	66	332	1024	461	169	914	1757	.268	.353	.471	.824	129	3316	107	53	16	64	75
162 Game Avg.				162	709	617	110	165	26	6	29	90	40	15	80	154	.268	.353	.471	.824	129	291	9	5	1	6	7

SFG (7 yrs)				1014	4610	4047	765	1106	188	42	186	552	263	63	500	1016	.273	.356	.478	.834	131	1936	50	31	6	26	37
CAL (2 yrs)				257	1106	970	151	256	33	12	47	169	71	33	115	231	.264	.340	.468	.808	130	454	16	5	1	15	11
STL (1 yr)				86	270	231	37	47	5	3	5	24	15	5	33	74	.203	.305	.316	.621	71	73	4	2	1	3	3
TEX (1 yr)				130	555	475	85	126	15	4	29	82	37	20	69	110	.265	.356	.497	.853	138	236	12	2	2	7	6
CLE (1 yr)				146	631	538	93	148	24	1	25	85	34	23	74	135	.275	.367	.463	.830	123	249	9	8	4	7	4
CHC (1 yr)				45	190	163	26	35	7	1	6	19	5	6	24	44	.215	.323	.380	.703	96	62	4	2	1	0	5
NYY (1 yr)				145	626	529	93	143	26	3	32	85	30	17	89	137	.270	.375	.512	.888	151	271	10	3	0	5	8
CHW (1 yr)				26	102	90	8	25	4	0	2	8	6	2	10	10	.278	.347	.389	.735	106	35	2	0	1	1	1

NL (9 yrs)				1145	5070	4441	828	1188	200	46	197	595	283	74	557	1134	.268	.352	.466	.818	127	2071	58	35	8	29	45
AL (5 yrs)				704	3020	2602	430	698	102	20	135	429	178	95	357	623	.268	.356	.478	.835	133	1245	49	18	8	35	30

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Longevity and Consistency

Dwight Evans enjoyed a 20-year career, spending 19 seasons with the Red Sox before finishing with the Baltimore Orioles. His ability to perform at a high level into his late 30s is noteworthy. Evans played 2,505 games for Boston, hitting .272 with 379 home runs and 1,346 RBIs, and remains one of the all-time greats in Red Sox history.

Bobby Bonds had a 14-year career, playing for eight teams. Despite the frequent team changes, Bonds remained a formidable player on both offense and defense. His career was highlighted by his power-speed combination, making him an exciting player to watch. Bonds finished with 332 home runs and 461 stolen bases, solidifying his place among the game’s greats.

Awards and Accolades

Evans and Bonds both collected numerous awards and achievements throughout their careers:

Dwight Evans

3× All-Star (1978, 1981, 1987)
8× Gold Glove Award (1976, 1978, 1979, 1981–1985)
2× Silver Slugger Award (1981, 1987)
AL home run leader (1981)
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame
Led AL in walks (1981, 1985, 1987)
Appeared in 2,606 games (41st all-time MLB)

Bobby Bonds

3× All-Star (1971, 1973, 1975)
3× Gold Glove Award (1971, 1973, 1974)
San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame
First player to achieve five 30-30 seasons
300-300 club member
Hit a grand slam in his MLB debut (1968)

Evans’ accolades highlight his exceptional defensive skills and consistent offensive productivity. Bonds’ awards reflect his unique blend of power and speed, and his ability to change the game with both his bat and his legs.

Legacy and Influence

Dwight Evans left an indelible mark on the Red Sox franchise. His defensive prowess, strong arm, and consistent hitting made him a fan favorite. Post-retirement, Evans remained connected to baseball as a hitting coach and consultant, further cementing his legacy.

Bobby Bonds is remembered as one of the most dynamic and exciting players of his time. His record-setting leadoff home runs and multiple 30-30 seasons set him apart. Bonds also played a pivotal role in paving the way for other power-speed players. His son, Barry Bonds, went on to become one of the greatest players in MLB history, adding to the Bonds family’s baseball legacy.

Conclusion

Comparing the careers of Dwight Evans and Bobby Bonds offers a fascinating look at two players who excelled in different aspects of the game. Evans’ consistency, power, and defensive skills made him a cornerstone of the Red Sox for nearly two decades. Bonds’ unique combination of power and speed, along with his record-setting achievements, left an indelible mark on the game.

Both players, despite not being in the Hall of Fame, have left legacies that continue to inspire and excite baseball fans.