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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2952253

Bonds pulls within one of Aaron's all-time mark with 754th career homer
Associated Press

Updated: July 28, 2007, 1:37 AM ET
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Hammerin' Hank, he's right behind you now.

Barry Bonds hit his 754th career home run Friday night, and needed just one more to tie Hank Aaron's record.

The Giants star sent a 2-1 pitch from rookie Rick Vanden Hurk over the wall in left-center in the first inning for a solo shot against the Florida Marlins, his 20th homer of the season.

Bud Selig wasn't there to see it, sending MLB president and chief operating officer Bob DuPuy in his place. The commissioner was back in Milwaukee, preparing to go to Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Bonds did hear from Michael Jordan, though. A taped message from the NBA great played on the video board between innings.

After a brief pause to put specially marked baseballs in play, Bonds drew ball one and ball two -- with boos raining down on Vanden Hurk -- before a called first strike. Then, the 96 mph fastball was gone -- a drive estimated at 420 feet.

As usual, Bonds stood and watched his ball sail away, then began yet another trot and pumped his fist along the way. "754" flashed on the main scoreboard and Bonds blew kisses to his family when he crossed home.

Fans, already on their feet for Bonds' first at-bat, screamed in delight when it was clear he had homered -- Bonds' first at home since he connected for No. 750 on June 29 against Arizona's Livan Hernandez. "Barry! Barry!" they chanted as he rounded the bases.

The fan who retrieved No. 754 was Eric Stormer, a general contractor and season ticketholder from nearby Martinez.

In his first chance to tie Aaron, Bonds walked on five pitches in the third inning. He also walked in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings.

Home is certainly where his heart is. Bonds has hit many of his milestone homers here -- Nos. 500, 600 and 700 along with 660 and 661 to tie and pass his godfather, Hall of Famer Willie Mays. This is also where he hit 715 last May 28 to pass Babe Ruth for second place on the career list. No. 714 came across San Francisco Bay in Oakland.

In 2001, Bonds hit the final three of his 73 homers at home, breaking Mark McGwire's season record of 70.

Bonds had gone homerless in five games and 18 at-bats since hitting two against the Chicago Cubs on July 19 at Wrigley Field. He had been 3-for-18 since his previous homer, but said he didn't think he was overswinging.

He has said he's a bit distracted when the commemorative balls are worked in for each of his plate appearances.

"When they stop it for a second and switch baseballs, it's very hard to not know something's happening right in front of you," Bonds said after his two-homer game in Chicago.

The slugger went out to his spot in left field in the top of the second with fans pounding the outfield fence in celebration. Bonds turned to acknowledge them with a wave of his cap.

A "Road to History" tribute played on the main center-field scoreboard with the greeting from Jordan.

"Hey Barry, it's Michael Jordan," his message said. "I just want to congratulate you on your historic event. I'm very happy for you. Ever since the first day I saw you in the batting cage, you've been working toward this for a long period of time. So I want to wish you and Elizabeth and that beautiful girl of yours congratulations. I'm very happy for you."

Selig is scheduled to be in Los Angeles starting Tuesday, when the Giants open a series against the rival Dodgers. Aaron has said he won't be there when his 33-year-old record falls.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

awww mannn... cool... he's gonna get it eventually.. when im not sure though

I still can't figure out why anyone cares....he cheated to get here.

How did ya know?

Great minds think alike

I was thinking elephantitis too at the same time

I hope he falls and tears both of his knees out.

GO BARRY!!!!

I really want to see him get the record at home versus on the road.

There are so many idiot fans out there that have made Barry the face of steroids just because he's about to break this record. But the bottomline is, tons of players were juicing through the late 80's, 90's, and into the 2000's. People cheered for McGwire and Sosa back in the day---but a lot of those same people bash Barry today. IMO they are hypocrites whose brains make judgements based upon the media circus that follows any semblance of controversy these days.

Barry might not be the nicest guy, but he has had a hell of a career and if he can achieve one of the most celebrated records in the history of the sport, then he deserves to be honored. He doesn't deserve the numbskull publics indignation b/c of mere allegations. The same numbskull public who celebrated McGwire's run.

The steroid era IS and HAS been here, but that doesn't mean that these guys aren't ball players. Whose to say who juiced and who didn't. Everyone in the Bigs is somewhat suspect due to the culture, so why do we single out Barry?

Oh yea, because we just don't like HIM.

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There are so many idiot fans out there that have made Barry the face of steroids just because he's about to break this record.

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First off, Nobody but Bonds himself has made him the face of Steroids... He did that to himself and it has nothing to do with him breaking the record.. it has everything to do with him using steroids..

My understanding is that Baseball didn't disallow those things so it's nothing that was against league policy or rule,,, but he did it just the same.


As for him breaking the record,,, I would hope there would forever be an asterik next to that record. By all accounts, Hammerin Hank did it clean and he had to fight racism along the way just to add a little pressure..

I cant wait till this is over. I'm tired of seeing it over and over again on espn. I know its gonna get worse before it all finally passes.

Bonds = Trash

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People cheered for McGwire and Sosa back in the day---but a lot of those same people bash Barry today.

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Not me, derden.
I had my suspicions about McGwire and Sosa, too, back in 1998. Both of them hit more than 60 homers in consecutive years, McGwire 70 of course. The 60-homer mark had only been reached twice in more than 120 years of baseball. I have no respect for McGwire, or Sosa.
None.

Bottom line: Barry cheated, he's a jerk, and I hope he blows out a knee tonight.
I really do.

Cheater, jerk, whatever; Barry still has had a great career, has dedicated years of his life towards being a great player and now that his career is culminating with the breaking of this record--people dog him.

He's still a great player---always was a great player; therefore, he DESERVES to be recognized as a great player.

I never said he wasn't a great player. I said he was a cheater, and an obnoxious jerk who doesn't deserve baseball's most cherished record.

Someone who has to cheat to get where he is does not make him a great player.

He was a great player long before he started juicing though - a five-tool talent. I can't stand him, but I give him his due.

when was he cheating? he did the same thing everyone else did.. Creatine for example could be considered preformace enhancing and thus illegal? I've used creatine and it really does work. It made me faster stronger and more of an a$$hole. I stopped taking it when I got up to 254 and I was going crazy.

I guess you could say LT's record and everyone else who set any since the 90's are questionable in any sport because there are so many preformance enhancement drugs out there... legal or not. they make you better faster stronger etc. So I guess every record will be forever tarnished.

If the batter is juiced and the pitcher is juiced.. what's the difference?

He just grounded out again, and DIDN'T even run the ball out to first.

I will never acknowledge his "record." Matter of fact if I ever get the old lady to vacation in Cooperstown, I won't even walk by his bust.

First Amendment, Freedom of Speech.

Go A-Rod, Git-'R'Done !!

Well according to Jose C. A-rod is juicing too...

He'd better not be, or I won't even ever go to a baseball game FREE. I'm really tried of cheaters.