| Will Barry Bonds reach the 756 home run mark | | | | him chasing Ruth and then Aaron's record will |
| and eclipse Hammerin' Hank Aaron? The | | | | be a hot baseball topic this season and |
| controversial Barry Bonds certainly is a | | | | possibly next. |
| baseball legend in his own mind, but does he | | | | |
| have enough star quality and MLB cache to | | | | The fact that he plays half of his games in |
| keep him in the baseball limelight? Is he a | | | | San Francisco's hitter friendly AT&T Park |
| has been or someone who should be a has been? | | | | certainly favors Bonds accomplishing this |
| The question many people are asking is | | | | goal. But he also has things working against |
| simply this one- is Barry Bonds washed up? | | | | him. Most pitchers will try to throw around |
| Many people believe it is time for Bonds to | | | | him, not giving Bonds very much at which to |
| hang up his cleats. He has been injury | | | | swing. As the season wears on, this will |
| plagued the last couple of seasons and has | | | | affect him both physically and mentally. |
| also been involved in Major League Baseball's | | | | |
| steroid controversy. In the past the slugger | | | | Bonds has complained in the past about how |
| has admitted that he's used steroids and | | | | many walks he receives and how they take a |
| contends that the drugs were administered | | | | toll on his legs. Another problem that may |
| unwittingly. Despite his use of performance | | | | prevent Bonds from breaking the home run |
| enhancing drugs, there is no question that he | | | | record is that he's in the National League |
| has been one of the game's most productive | | | | and is required to play the field. He has |
| players. | | | | indicated he would like to stay with the San |
| | | | Francisco Giants and will refuse a trade to |
| Barry Bonds is chasing perhaps the greatest | | | | an American League (AL) team. If he were to |
| mark of them all-- the all-time Major League | | | | go to an AL team, it could prolong his career |
| Baseball home run record. Currently Hank | | | | because he would be able to be a designated |
| Aaron, who has 755, is the one that fans | | | | hitter and would not be required to play the |
| admire. Bonds also trails Babe Ruth, who | | | | field. |
| accumulated 715 dingers. | | | | |
| | | | He has said that San Francisco is his home |
| He will start this season at 708 and will | | | | and he will retire before he's traded to |
| need either one outstanding year or two | | | | another team. There is no question that this |
| extremely productive ones to break the | | | | season he'll be under scrutiny, and if he |
| record. Many experts believe with the | | | | doesn't produce the media will be all over |
| injuries he's sustained over the past few | | | | him. Reporters may ask if he is over the |
| seasons it will be hard for him to reach the | | | | hill, unable to go long without steroids, or |
| plateau set by Aaron. Another problem with | | | | if he can possibly stay healthy enough to |
| Bonds setting a new lifetime home run mark is | | | | finish his quest for the record. |
| that people believe it will not be a true | | | | |
| record because the slugger used steroids. | | | | The fact remains that Barry Bonds is going |
| | | | for the record and baseball fans will |
| If he does become the most prolific long ball | | | | certainly be watching to see if he can do it. |
| hitter to ever stand at home plate, there | | | | If he closes in on the mark, there will |
| will be some contending that he cheated in | | | | probably be sellout crowds in stadiums across |
| order to do so. Critics will claim that | | | | the United States hoping to catch a home run |
| during some of his most productive seasons he | | | | ball from the remarkable Bonds. He will have |
| was on steroids and could not have hit that | | | | many obstacles to overcome if he is going to |
| many home runs without "the juice." It's not | | | | accomplish this great feat. |
| that Bonds didn't have any ability; he was | | | | |
| and still is a gifted athlete. The question | | | | One thing is certain it will be interesting |
| is because he whacked at least some of his | | | | to see if he has the stamina to hold on long |
| homers while on steroids will people respect | | | | enough to break the record. If he fails |
| the record the same way they have for Ruth | | | | there will be people saying he should have |
| and Aaron. That is the big question. | | | | retired at the top of his game and not have |
| | | | come back to try to break the record. Fans |
| Bonds will definitely be in the spotlight | | | | of home run fever will be tuning in the watch |
| regardless of what he does this season. As | | | | the saga of Barry Bonds. |
| long as he continues to play, the story of | | | | |