Barry Bonds Breaks Home Run Record

(CBS/AP)  Barry Bonds hit No. 756 to the deepest part of the ballpark Tuesday night, and hammered home the point: Like him or not, legitimate or not, he is baseball's new home run king.

Bonds broke Hank Aaron's storied record with one out in the fifth inning, hitting a full-count, 84 mph pitch from Washington's Mike Bacsik 435 feet to right-center field.

"Thank you very much. I got to thank all of you, all the fans here in San Francisco. It's been fantastic," he said shortly after crossing home plate, his godfather, Willie Mays, at his side.

Conspicuous by their absence were the commissioner and Hammerin' Hank himself.

Though he was on hand for the tying homer three days ago, deciding to put baseball history ahead of the steroid allegations that have plagued the Giants slugger, Bud Selig wasn't there for the record-breaker.

Instead, he sent two emissaries, Major League Baseball executive vice president Jimmie Lee Solomon and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.

"While the issues which have swirled around this record will continue to work themselves toward resolution, today is a day for congratulations on a truly remarkable achievement," Selig said in a statement, released after he spoke to Bonds by telephone.

President Bush has yet to call the baseball star with congratulations, reports CBS Radio White House reporter Mark Knoller.

White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters this morning that the president congratulates Bonds for breaking "one of the most treasured records" in all of sports. Asked if the president believes the record was compromised at all by allegations of steroid use, Snow noted there's a league-wide investigation of steroid use which the president commends. Snow said he didn't know if Bush would be calling Bonds.

In his State of the Union message in 2004, Knoller notes, President Bush denounced steroid use by athletes calling it dangerous and saying "it sends the wrong message -- that there are shortcuts to accomplishment, and that performance is more important than character."

As for Aaron, he said all along he had no interest in being there whenever and wherever his 33-year-old mark was broken. He was true to his word, but he did offer a taped message of congratulations that played on the stadium's video board.

"It is a great accomplishment which required skill, longevity and determination," he said.

"Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement.

"My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams," he said.

A woman who answered the phone at Aaron's home in Georgia shortly after Bonds' homer said that Aaron was asleep.

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[sclaires]

SO WHAT!!!!!! He did it with the help of steroids. The record should NOT be allowed to stand.

[toolmangler-2009]

A COMMITMENT TO PERPETUAL WHINING & HATING REQUIRE NO EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL OR PHYSICAL FORTITUDE.
Posted by Agnim at 03:02 PM : Aug 08, 2007


You should not put yourself down like that. BTW, I didn't see your upholding Mark McGuires Homerun per season mark? Oh! thats right, he used steroids didn't he. shuckins.

[jacksteen1]

"Baseball" hasn't existed since the strike.

Grown men playing a little boy's game...and some of these ignorant apes STILL have to cheat at it.

What the Hell difference does it make anymore, now that the game is ruined ?

[ralan40]

Hank Aaron still tops a list that Bonds will never surpass....of all the professional baseball players, past and present, Hank Aaron is the first player listed by last name, alphabetically.

[mikealford3]

Ok, I'll take your word for that, as I said, I don't know enough about it.
Posted by thgdriver at 04:08 PM : Aug 08, 2007


Thank You thgdriver,
I'm like you, I don't know enough facts to claim guilt. I'm just a fan of baseball and I see this as an opportunity to promote the game and to highlight the history and just give the game some excitement. I dare say neither of our dinners tonight nor our jobs are dependant upon Bonds' guilt or innocents. Americans thrive on contraversy and we need to relax a little. When something bad happens it seems to be in the news forever yet when something good happens you hardly if ever see it. Let's focus on something good rather than something negative. We should celebrate the acheivement of today and deal with guilt when guilt is proven.

It's kinda like the man who jumps from the rim of the Grand Canyon to committ suicide, only to change his mind halfway down. Once you jump there is no going back, you don't stop until you splatter you guts all over the rocks below.

[sugarmice-2009]

baseball isn't half as bad as Tour de France
Look at football and all the illegal things they do - drugs (over and over again yet are still playing and ya all are still buying tickets to see them) - dog fighting (although it hasn't been proven yet AND his cousin is testifying against Vick - for a lesser sentence...???) also there are the weapons charges... Geez, to me baseball seems to be the cleanest as far as illegalities go.
Hockey seems ok except for a few fights
ALL sports have their dark horses (not meaning race either)... all businesses have their cover ups...
until it is definitely proven by tests and documentations that Bonds was taking roids, it's all speculations and you don't convict on spectulation .... and you don't take other guilty party statements about what others do ..
I watched the game - cheered him on and will continue to watch the Giants and all other baseball teams... I cheer on teams not individuals but when someone hits a milestone - you bet I'll say congrats so CONGRATS BARRY!!!
good job..

[gramto7]

A woman who answered the phone at Aaron's home in Georgia shortly after Bonds' homer said that Aaron was asleep.
from the article

Since this game was played at night on the west coast, I would assume the home run was hit at least at 9 pm or later Pacific time. Whoever called Hank Aaron's home at that time of night should be ashamed. The man is 74 years old. He would probably like to get his rest when he can, as would his wife or daughter or whomever it was that answered the phone at midnight or later in Atlanta!

[mikealford3]

Correct me if I am wrong. Is there not a close friend of Bonds doing time for not testifying about Bonds taking chemicals one way or another?
Posted by thgdriver at 03:52 PM : Aug 08, 2007


The person of which you speak has been called a close friend only by the media. That person is doing time for many things related to other players and other issues outside of testifying against Bonds.

[mikealford3]

O.K.

You are willing to find a man guilty based on the words of players who have been caught and face punishment. Is it at all possible that these players are willing to implicate Bonds in order to ease the punishment they are to recieve? Hear say is not evidence. Remember, the media and America were quick to slaughter the boys from Duke only to find they were innocent. Let's celebrate the achievement and deal with guilt when guilt is proven.

[radbean]

Prove it. The only evidence is the opinion of sports writers, t.v. hosts and a man from Balco who is going to prison.

Find and show just 1 failed test.
Posted by mikealford3 at 03:26 PM : Aug 08, 2007

You left out several baseball players who also were accused and admitted to taking steroids.