Barry Bonds became the third major leaguer to hit 714 home runs on this swing.
Barry, meet the Babe.
Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career list with his 714th home run Saturday, a shot into the right-field seats leading off the second inning against the Oakland Athletics.
Bonds ended a nine-game homerless drought -- a stretch of 29 at-bats -- since hitting No. 713 with a 450-foot drive May 7 in Philadelphia. His teenage son, Nikolai, a Giants bat boy, was waiting for him at home plate and they embraced.
Next up is Hank Aaron's record of 755.
Bonds, dogged by allegations of steroid use and repeated taunts on the road, was quickly greeted by his teammates as they surrounded him at the top of the dugout. Bonds tipped his cap and blew a kiss toward his 7-year-old daughter, Aisha, then came out and raised his hands.
Left-hander Brad Halsey became the 420th pitcher to give up a homer to Bonds, who was San Francisco's designated hitter in an interleague series against the A's.
The seven-time NL MVP was booed when his name was announced before the game and again the moment he began walking to the batter's box. He connected on a 1-1 pitch from Halsey, making history with his sixth home run this season.
Bonds received a long standing ovation and the game was delayed about 90 seconds. The Giants plan to commemorate No. 715 in their own ballpark.
Bonds came to the plate in the third to chants of "Barry! Barry!" and struck out looking.
He had hoped to hit his latest milestone home run at home in San Francisco, where he hit Nos. 500, 600 and 700 along with 660 and 661 to tie and pass his godfather, Willie Mays. In 2001, Bonds hit the final three of his 73 homers at home to break Mark McGwire's single-season record of 70.
Still, the 41-year-old slugger had to be happy to hit No. 714 back in the Bay Area in front of his family and friends. Only five days earlier, Bonds suggested he was being haunted by "two ghosts" -- a reference to Ruth and Aaron.
Ruth passed Sam Thompson to move into second place on June 20, 1921, when he hit his 127th home run. Aaron passed Ruth in April 1974 -- and now Hammerin' Hank's mark is the only one left for Bonds to chase.
Bonds, in his 21st major league season, has hit nine of his home runs as a designated hitter -- and realizes his future could be in the American League as a DH.
Source: ESPN.com
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