Bonds hits home run No. 714, ties Babe Ruth

[Walter Cronkite]

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

[Pyro]

Let me say this. I don't care what anyone say's about it you have to have some kind of skill to do what he has done.Sure he has a attitude so what does he not perform?All of you people out there who are putting him down talking about his life I ask you what he does, does it affect you no so stay out of his life and let him be.He has children and a family and I know all you people out there have alot of skeletons in your closet hell half of you are still in the closet. That is ok though because that is nobody's business.

Well all of you writters and critics out there need to take a good look at yourselfs because no matter what you say or do barry will pass ruth and hopefully arron also I am rooting for him as I am sure thereare many others that feel the same way.I wish Barry Bonds could read this because alot of us guys over here in the Mon Valley in Pa. are with you I was watching Bonds On Bonds and i remember a fan saying something nice to him about a game and in return he said people like that make it worth it something like that well if you do read this GO FOR IT and keep playing strong and we will see you in July.

[Short Irish Guy]

Let me say this. I don't care what anyone say's about it you have to have some kind of skill to do what he has done.Sure he has a attitude so what does he not perform?All of you people out there who are putting him down talking about his life I ask you what he does, does it affect you no so stay out of his life and let him be.He has children and a family and I know all you people out there have alot of skeletons in your closet hell half of you are still in the closet. That is ok though because that is nobody's business.

Well all of you writters and critics out there need to take a good look at yourselfs because no matter what you say or do barry will pass ruth and hopefully arron also I am rooting for him as I am sure thereare many others that feel the same way.I wish Barry Bonds could read this because alot of us guys over here in the Mon Valley in Pa. are with you I was watching Bonds On Bonds and i remember a fan saying something nice to him about a game and in return he said people like that make it worth it something like that well if you do read this GO FOR IT and keep playing strong and we will see you in July.

Wow, a decent post from the wigger. The world must be ending...

[Kellie-Girl]

Hope that chicken shit Bud Selig can strap on a pair and state there will be an asterisk by Bonds so called "accomplishment" in the record books because of his steroid use. The Babe did it on hot dogs and beer and Aaron did it with raw power. Bonds...no way!

[Short Irish Guy]

Hope that chicken shit Bud Selig can strap on a pair and state there will be an asterisk by Bonds so called "accomplishment" in the record books because of his steroid use.

Can't do it without verifiable proof...

[Kellie-Girl]

Can't do it without verifiable proof...

Bonds told the grand jury that he took steroids. What more proof do you want?

[Short Irish Guy]

Bonds told the grand jury that he took steroids. What more proof do you want?

It's inadmissable in court which is where the burden of proof would need to be shown. Of course, I don't think steroids are a blight on the game so his use of them doesn't bother me. He also wasn't "cheating" since MLB didn't have a steroid policy back then. Hell, they won't even test for HGH now which does more for a hitter than steroids.

[AndySMC]

He also wasn't "cheating" since MLB didn't have a steroid policy back then.

Not true.

Baseball ignored its own rules about steroids. In 1991, then-Commissioner Fay Vincent effectively put steroids on baseball's list of banned substances in a memo sent to all MLB teams. Baseball could not test for steroids, the memo said, but should a player be caught with steroids, he would be sent for treatment and subject to penalties. This memo was never publicized and, seemingly, was largely ignored by both management and the players' union. Commissioner Bud Selig reissued the same memo in 1997, with minor changes but with the same lack of conviction. Several GMs at the time tell ESPN the Magazine the memo probably was lost in the blizzard of other paperwork coming out of the commissioner's office.

[Short Irish Guy]

Not true.

Baseball ignored its own rules about steroids. In 1991, then-Commissioner Fay Vincent effectively put steroids on baseball's list of banned substances in a memo sent to all MLB teams. Baseball could not test for steroids, the memo said, but should a player be caught with steroids, he would be sent for treatment and subject to penalties. This memo was never publicized and, seemingly, was largely ignored by both management and the players' union. Commissioner Bud Selig reissued the same memo in 1997, with minor changes but with the same lack of conviction. Several GMs at the time tell ESPN the Magazine the memo probably was lost in the blizzard of other paperwork coming out of the commissioner's office.

There WAS a steroid policy but it wasn't really enforced unless the player was blatantly caught. I should have clarified my earlier statement.

[Kellie-Girl]

There WAS a steroid policy but it wasn't really enforced unless the player was blatant caught. I should have clarified my earlier statement.

Like I said. Bonds cheated! It doesn't matter that the rule wasn't enforced. It was still a rule, and Bonds broke it!

[Short Irish Guy]

Like I said. Bonds cheated! It doesn't matter that the rule wasn't enforced. It was still a rule, and Bonds broke it!

Technically, no. Bonds was never caught by baseball and his admission to the grand jury has no bearing on his status with MLB.

[Short Irish Guy]

LOL. I want you to be my lawyer

It's easy to lie to people as long as you believe the lie you're telling...

[Kellie-Girl]

Technically, no. Bonds was never caught by baseball and his admission to the grand jury has no bearing on his status with MLB.

He doesn't have to be caught by baseball. He admitted to taking the cream and the clear. Therefore he cheated!

His records should be erased.

[Short Irish Guy]

He doesn't have to be caught by baseball. He admitted to taking the cream and the clear. Therefore he cheated!

His records should be erased.

Gaylord Perry and Ty Cobb are in the Hall of Fame. They cheated. Players throughout the course of baseball history took speed pills. Willie Mays admitted to it. I guess his 660 homers and al his records should be erased as well...according to your flawed logic, kid.

[Short Irish Guy]

Good points. I'm writing an article about cheating in baseball. I know about Gaylord Perry. What did Ty Cobb do and where can I find information about it?

Check Google. His "cheating" has been well documented.