Greatest Outfielder of the 1990's?

I'm putting aside all controversy and favoritism for this question.

Bonds was accused of having his first contact with the steroid ( Wistrol ) in 1998. Prior to 1998 a "clean" Barry won 7 Gold Gloves, 3 MVP's, and was a 7 time All-Star. Like him or hate him he was the best outfielder in the 90's.

Going strictly by the numbers between 1990 and 1999 we have

Barry Bonds
1434 G, 1091 R, 4894 AB, 1478 H, 361 HR, 1076 RBI, 1146 BB, 343 SB, .302/.434/./602
Ken Griffey
1408 G, 1002 R, 5377 AB, 1622 H, 382 HR, 1091 RBI, 703 BB, 151 SB, .302/.384/.581

It's very close. They both were the best in their respective leagues. Bonds numbers are a little better and even though he was a decent fielder (8 gold gloves), Griffey gets the nod in fielding (he had 10 gold gloves).

It's interesting to note if you look at the top 8 HR hitters on the 90's one thing stands out. 1) McGwire, 2) Griffey, 3) Bonds, 4) Belle, 5) J.Gonzalez, 6) Sosa, 7) Palmeiro, 8) Canseco. Only one on the list doesn't have a PED cloud hanging over him. Two if you consider Albert Belle but he had his own issues.

So ignoring feelings associated with Balco and what not, then you could make an argument either way between Bonds and Griffey. I'm calling it a tie. However if you consider everything that happened you'd have to go with Griffey as being the greatest OF of the 1990's.

Tough to choose, but I would go with Ken Griffey because he was an even better defensive outfielder than Bonds, and played center field which is a more challenging position than left field.

As an offensive player though, Bonds was better, plus he stole a lot of bases. But Griffey was certainly no slouch at the plate!

alright i will forget balco and then remember how bonds went from skinny black guy to big buff black guy in no time wow i wonder how he did that? hes a cheater! Griffey is the man and would hold the record if he didnt get hurt all the time!

Ken Griffey, Jr.

For the 1990's it was definitely Junior. For the majority of this decade, it was Bonds. Since he's been out of baseball now, Junior is putting up numbers, but starting in 2000 Bonds surpassed Griffey handily. Unfortunately, steroids have called his accomplishments into dispute.

Griffey was the better of the two both offensively and defensively in my opinion. Griffey has more hits, home runs, RBI, and Gold Glove Awards in that decade than Bonds, and in fewer games. Four times Griffey led his league in home runs as opposed to once for Bonds in the 90s.

Between those two, I have to say Ken Griffey Jr. If it wasn't for all his injuries, we would of had a much better career (he already had a great career). I personally never liked Barry Bonds, even before he admitted taking steroids.

But I have to say, my favorite 90's outfielders are Bernie Williams and Paul O'Neil

Bonds was too much of a base stealer to maximize what he could do with his most dangerous weapon. I value the ability to read pitchers and get good leads, but he needed to become the pure power hitter he obviously could have been.

Griffey just didn't look like he was even trying. He swung and the ball went out, easy as that. No power lifting, no huge cuts. Just a swing. He was obviously very fast and was the best defensive CF until Andruw came along. Range, acrobatics, ups, and a cannon. Natural.

Speaking of fielding, it's a LF against a CF.

IMO we're comparing Alfonso Soriano (hitting lefty instead) to Albert Pujols (playing Torii Hunter defensively) here. Hunter never had Griff's arm, though.

neither one..better defensive/ would say jr...if you know baseball,40 yrs ago fulton county stadium was a launching pad for home runs..even davey johnson hit 42 playing second base. taking nothing away from aaron he played in the american league latter part of career...as a dh..around 60 more hrs for the brewers..baseball is a game of if's and different eras rules times schedules etc..ball parks were in general larger than todays band boxes..We can dwell on if !!!! If Babe Ruth hadn't piched the first five years maybe 800 hrs with out enhacement except hotdogs and beer? over all the edge goes to griffey
over bonds..Remember today in the american league you see three pitchers..doubt if these guys would put up the same numbers in a game that changed ..