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