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