Barry Bonds Breaks Home Run Record

Hank Aaron, Baseball Commissioner No Shows For Big Moment

(CBS/AP)  With a long, satisfied stare, Bonds watched as the ball sailed over the fence and disappeared into the scrum in the first few rows. Then he raised both arms over his head like a victorious prize fighter, fists clenched, and took off.

His 17-year-old batboy son Nikolai was already bouncing on home plate as Dad rounded third and ran the final 90 feet to make it official. After a long embrace, the rest of the family joined in — two daughters and wife, Liz. And then there was Mays, who removed his cap and congratulated his godson.

Bonds saved his most poignant words for last, addressing his late father, Bobby.

"My dad," he said, looking to the sky and choking back tears. "Thank you."

Bonds had wanted to break the record at home, where he would be assured of a friendly crowd. They were all right, unlike in San Diego where some fans held up signs with asterisks indicating that his power was steroid-induced.

Bonds has always denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

He had already doubled and singled before hitting the solo home run. He took his position in left field to start the sixth, then was replaced and drew another standing ovation.

A fan wearing a Mets jersey wound up with the historic ball. Matt Murphy of New York emerged from the stands with the souvenir and a bloodied face, and was whisked to a secure room.

The ball is already valued at $500,000, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

Even with Bonds at the top of the chart, fans will surely keep debating which slugger they consider the true home run champion. Some will continue to cling to Aaron while other, older rooters will always say it's Babe Ruth.

"It's all about history. Pretty soon, someone will come along and pass him," Mays said before the game.

Aaron held the top spot for 12,173 days after connecting for No. 715 to pass the Babe on April 8, 1974.

Bonds homered exactly three years after Greg Maddux earned his 300th victory at the same ballpark. It's been quite a week of baseball milestones — over the weekend, Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th home run and Tom Glavine won No. 300.

A seven-time NL MVP, the 43-year-old Bonds hit his 22nd home run of the year. Bonds broke Mark McGwire's single-season record by hitting 73 in 2001 and while he's no longer such a force, opposing pitchers remain wary.

Bonds and Giants management bickered in the offseason over contract issues. This big night was the main reason owner Peter Magowan brought back the star left fielder for a 15th season in San Francisco, signing him to a $15.8 million, one-year contract.

Bonds' once-rapid quest for the record had slowed in recent years as his age and balky knees diminished his pace. He hit 258 home runs from 2000-04, but has only 53 since then.

While steroids have tinged Bonds' pursuit, it was race that was the predominant issue when Aaron broke Ruth's mark in 1974. Aaron dealt with hate mail and death threats from racist fans who thought a black man was not worthy of breaking the record set by a white hero, the beloved Babe.

Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn watched Aaron tie the record but was not present for the record-breaker, a slight that bothered many fans of Aaron. Selig is a close friend of Aaron's and offered Bonds tepid congratulations when he tied the record.

"I think Hank is his own man," Mays said. "I think if he wanted to be here he would be here."

"When he hit 715, the commissioner wasn't there," he said. "You may not blame him because he wasn't represented the right way."

Bonds was destined for stardom at an early age. The son of All-Star outfielder Bobby Bonds and the godson of one of the game's greatest players, Bonds spent his childhood years roaming the clubhouse at Candlestick Park, getting tips from Mays and other Giants.

"I visualized him playing sports at a high level. He was 5 when he was in my locker all the time," Mays said.

In a matter of years, Bonds went from a wiry leadoff hitter with Pittsburgh in 1986 to a bulked-up slugger. That transformation is at the heart of his many doubters, who believe Bonds cheated to accomplish his feats and should not be considered the record-holder.

There are plenty of fans already hoping for the day that Bonds' total — whatever it ends up — is topped. Rodriguez may have the best chance, with his 500 home runs at age 32 far ahead of Bonds' pace.

[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..

[thgdriver]

mikealford3

Ok, I'll take your word for that, as I said, I don't know enough about it.

[thgdriver]

Remember, the media and America were quick to slaughter the boys from Duke only to find they were innocent.

I'm not so sure about that. I do know the NAACP, sharpton, Jackson, and the like had them "hung" and never apologized.

[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.

[thgdriver]

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?

[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.

[agnim]

Josh Gibson was tops in the Black Baseball League

Babe Ruth was tops in the cowardly and racist White Supremacist Baseball League.

And Barry Bonds is tops in the Combined Baseball League.

The asterisk should be placed by Babe Ruth's total from the racist White League.

At least the Black Baseball League wouldn't back down from any baseball playing team, black or white!

[mikealford3]

I guess Bonds can stop using steroids now! His accomplishment will never be fully recognized because he cheated to attain it.
Posted by radbean at 03:20 PM : Aug 08, 2007


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.

[radbean]

I guess Bonds can stop using steroids now! His accomplishment will never be fully recognized because he cheated to attain it.

[retmilspouse]

Hank is still the man. The very reason he was not honored in the proper way is the very reason Bonds is not being prosecuted. It is all in the color of their skin. Hank was coming up in the days when guys of his race were not allowed to further themselves like the white ball players. Which was totally wrong! Now we have Bonds who we are scared to prosecute because of the color of his skin. Something is all messed up here.

[agnim]

Well done, Mr BB, Mr Base Ball.

23 years of daily and total dedication to excellence at the highest level of competition will be an inspiration to anyone who cares to be a winner.

AMAZING!

Those who are weak and perpetual whiners and haters will never understand nor be appreciative, and will accomplish nothing of value for themselves or for their society; because

A COMMITMENT TO PERPETUAL WHINING & HATING REQUIRE NO EMOTIONAL OR MENTAL OR PHYSICAL FORTITUDE.

[down-ndirty]

deserves respect for the entertainment he has given us. Posted by JDUBS63 at 01:42 PM : Aug 08, 2007
______________

Entertainment is all it is; something not to be taken too seriously. IMO, the book of records and the hall of fame is just them patting themselves on the back.

No different than the Oscars.

[down-ndirty]

Women prefer men who use the drugs. Posted by Antillo99 at 12:37 PM : Aug 08, 2007
____________________

In your dreams, dude! Drugs and steriods make people mean. So you're saying women like mean men? Maybe "air-head" women do.

Real women like real men, and real men don't need drugs, especially steriods.