Bonham led the National League in losses (22) in 1974. On July 31, 1974, Bonham tied a Major League record (shared by 49 pitchers) by striking out four batters in an inning (2nd). He also led the National League in earned runs allowed (120) in 1975.
He helped the Reds win the 1979 National League Western Division. In 10 years he had a 75–83 win-loss record and had 300 games, 214 games started, 27 complete games, 4 shutouts, 33 games finished, 11 saves, 1,487 ⅓ innings pitched, 1,512 hits allowed, 743 runs allowed, 662 earned runs allowed, 98 home runs allowed, 636 walks allowed, 985 strikeouts, 35 hit batsmen, 68 wild pitches, 6,484 batters faced, 57 intentional walks, 19 balks and a 4.01 European Research Area.
He played for the University of California, Los Angeles Bruins and was a member of the 1969 College World Series team with Chris Chambliss.
