Barry Bonds tied Hank Aaron's all-time major-league record by hitting his 755th home run Saturday night in San Diego.
Leading off the second inning, the controversial San Francisco Giants slugger smashed a 2-1 offering from Padres starter Clay Hensley the opposite way into the left-field seats at Petco Park to tie the game at 1-1.
Barry Bonds watches the flight of his record-tying 755th career home run Saturday night at San Diego's Petco Park.
(Associated Press)
Bonds drew walks in his next three at-bats before being replaced by a pinch runner in the eighth inning of the Giants' 3-2 loss in 12 innings. He'll likely sit out Sunday's series finale in San Diego before getting a chance to break Aaron's record at home Monday night against Washington.
"This is the hardest thing I've had to do in my entire career," said Bonds, who hadn't gone deep in eight days. "I had rashes on my head, I felt like I was getting sick at times."
In typical fashion, Bonds admired his 382-foot blast — which wound up in the hands of 33-year-old Adam Hughes of La Jolla, Calif., — for a few moments before beginning to circle the bases. Upon reaching home plate, he embraced his 17-year-old bat boy son Nikolai and carried him for several steps.
After Bonds let go of his son, he hugged teammate Ryan Klesko, then slowly walked through a greeting line of other Giants. Moments later, he made his way to the field-level seats and kissed eight-year-old daughter Aisha and wife Liz through the screen.
Most of the crowd stood and cheered, but some fans booed and others held up signs bearing asterisks — a reference to the fact that some consider Bonds's home-run total to be tainted by his suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds, who has denied knowingly using drugs, is also the subject of a grand jury investigation into possible perjury and tax evasion charges.
"I want to thank the fans. They have been outstanding," Bonds said. "It's been a fun ride. I really appreciate the way San Diego handled it and the way their fans handled it."
Selig salutes record
Baseball commissioner Bud Selig stood up and put his hands in his pockets while Bonds circled the bases.
Selig — a friend of Aaron's — later issued a statement saying, "Congratulations to Barry Bonds as he ties Major League Baseball's home run record. No matter what anybody thinks of the controversy surrounding this event, Mr. Bonds's achievement is noteworthy and remarkable.
"As I said previously, out of respect for the tradition of the game, the magnitude of the record and the fact that all citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, either I or a representative of my office will attend the next few games and make every attempt to observe the breaking of the all-time home run record."
Aaron was not in attendance. The Hall of Famer had previously said he would not follow the chase in person.
"We as baseball players, especially as African-American ballplayers, have so much respect for Hank Aaron and all our fellow African-American athletes as well. They have paved the road for what we're doing now," Bonds said.
Strangely enough, Bonds's record-tying homer came off a former Giants draft pick who was suspended in 2005 for violating baseball's minor league steroids policy.
Hensley was one of four Padres farmhands who were barred in April of that year for 15 games for using performance-enhancing substances — either steroids or steroid precursors.
"I don't think we're here to discuss those matters," Bonds said.
Saturday's historic homer — Bonds's 21st of the season and first since July 27 against Florida — may have been aided by the 43-year-old slugger's unusual decision to take early batting practice before the game. In an 11-round session spanning 45 minutes, Bonds hit 19 balls over the fence.
Bonds's 755th homer came on the same day Yankees' slugger Alex Rodriguez became the youngest player to reach 500 round-trippers. At 32 years old and enjoying a stellar season, Rodriguez is considered by many to have a good shot at eventually surpassing Bonds.
With files from the Associated Press
