Who is the best MLB player from each state?

California: Barry Bonds

California is the most populous state in the country. Coupled with its year-round incredible weather, Cali has sent over 2,000 players to the big leagues. Twenty-two of them have reached the Hall of Fame, which ranks second behind New York. It is the only state with more than 2,000 MLB players, and the number will only continue to grow as it is becoming almost impossible to become an elite baseball player without the ability to play the game 365 days a year.

With 22 Hall of Famers to pick from, there’s plenty of ways this selection could go. There’s Eddie Murray, one of only five players to record 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. Perhaps Tony Gwynn, Mr. Padre and the purest hitter of the 1990s is your pick. Historic icons like Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, or Duke Snider might pique your interest. Lest you think California is all about hitters, take your pick from Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Don Drysdale, or Dennis Eckersley on the mound.

Pick up a Barry Bonds rookie card.

Even with all of those Hall of Famers, I’m going out on a limb here and picking one player who is not (for now) in the Hall of Fame — Barry Bonds. With or without steroids, Bonds was a once-in-a-generation talent. He was a better, faster, more powerful version of Willie Mays, his godfather. He is the only player with over 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases. Bonds hurt his legacy by taking PEDs out of jealousy over the attention being paid to Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, but he is the best player many of us have ever seen or will ever see in our lifetimes.