Barry Bonds moved one step closer to history on Friday night, hitting his 750th career home run and pulling to within five of tying Hank Aaron's record.
The 42-year-old Bonds belted a 3-2 pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks starter Livan Hernandez over the wall in right-centre to lead off the eighth inning and tie the game, 3-3.
San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds (25) hit his 750th career home run on Friday moving him within six of breaking Hank Aaron's home run record.
(Ben Margot/Associated Press)
As the mercurial slugger lowered his head and began his trot around the bases, the main centre-field scoreboard featured a road sign reading "Bonds 750" in the middle and "Road to History" on either side.
The home run travelled an estimated 380 feet for Bonds's 16th home run of the season and the fourth of his career against his former teammate Hernandez, who last allowed a home run to Bonds on Aug. 24, 2006.
The home run was also his first in 18 at-bats and 28 plate appearances over the course of exactly one week. The last home run Bonds hit was off Yankees reliever Scott Proctor on June 22.
Continually revered by his hometown fans, the seven-time MVP received a standing ovation when he took the field in the top of the ninth and recognized the fans in turn with a tip of his hat.
But just one inning before the home run, one fan put a scare into the San Francisco faithful as he hopped the fence along the left-field line and ran out to Bonds in left field.
Bonds didn't miss a beat, putting his arm around the man and ushering him into custody of security at AT&T Park as the fans chanted his name.
