Following the home run accomplishments of Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and Frank Thomas of the Tornoto Blue Jays, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants was not to be outdone. It had been eight days and 28 plate appearances since Bonds hit his last home run which was number 754 and put him one home run short of Hammerin Hank Aaron’s record for all time career home runs. Barry Bonds came out for early batting practice Saturday, hoping to break his slump and move into the record books. He accomplished it quickly, leading off the second inning, and slamming number 755 off San Deigo Padres starting pitcher Clay Hensley. Several fans held up asterisk signs and some particularly nasty fans booed the the San Francisco slugger when he headed to left field at the end of the inning. The Giants lost the game to the Padres in 12 innings with a score of 3-2, but Bonds’ accomplishment was a slam to baseball commissioner Bud Selig who sat high above the field in a private box and was a reluctant witness to history.

Bonds didn’t start today (Sunday), which would give him a chance to break the record at home in San Francisco beginning Monday night. I think that is is a great gesture on Barry’s part to try to bring a once in a lifetime experience to the loyal fans in San Francisco who have supported his quest regardless of the general nastiness directed towards Barry Bonds due the the steroid allegations. While steroids tinged Bonds’ chase, race was the predominant issue when Aaron took aim at Ruth’s mark of 714. Hank Aaron received death threats and feard for his safety when he was chasing the Babe’s record, so it’s no suprice that there are hordes of envious loser who are pissed off the Barry Bonds is as awesome as he is. I’m sure when A-Rod will be chasing Bond’s records there will be morons who boo him and make allegations to his unsportsmanlike conduct on and off the field, but my attitude is “tough shit”. These guys get paid to play, they endure physical injuries that will last them the rest of their lives, they sacrifice untold amounts of time to please the crowds so respect should be given where it is due.

Mariners hitting instructor Jeff Pentland coached Bonds at Arizona State was quoted as saying “I think he is probably the best hitter since Babe Ruth, but that’s my opinion. I think the things he’s done, the records he’s broken. He’s stood out amongst the players of today and been way above them, head and shoulders above them for his career.”

We’ll be watching for Barry to break the record sometime this week, hopefully it will be in front of the home crowd.

While all eyes are focused on slugger Barry Bonds and his quest to surpass Hank Aaron as the all time home run leader, two other power hitters are making a move up the list of all time home runs. The Associated Press reported that Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Frank Thomas hit his 504th and 505th home runs of his career today. The two home rums moved him into 20th place, passing Eddie Murray on the all-time list. Thomas also had 4 RBI’s in the Blue Jays 9-5 victory over the struggling Texas Rangers on Saturday. Today also saw Alex Rodriguez become the youngest player in major league history to hit 500 home runs in the New York Yankees 16-8 victory over the Kansas City Royals. A-Rod’s 500th career home run came in his 1,855th game. Only two players took fewer games to reach 500: Mark McGwire (1,639) and Babe Ruth (1,740). Rodriguez leads the major leagues with 36 home runs this season, which is one more than he hit last year.

Barry Bonds is slamming it this year. One more home run to tie Hank Aaron’s home run record. I’m a diehard Marlins fan, so hopefully Barry won’t tie or break the record against my favorite team (especially since Sergio Mitre is a starting pitcher in my Fantasy Team). Otherwise, I’m one in the minority that really wants to see Bonds break the record. All steriod issues aside, records are made to be broken ans what athletes care to do with their bodies is their own business. Who knows how long Bond’s record will last with Alex Rodriguez as the next contender for the record as long as he stays healthy.