American Baseball star Barry Bonds has hit his 755th career home run, tying the record set by Hank Aaron for the most homers in major league history. Bonds hit the historic home run late Saturday in a 3-2 loss against the Padres at their home in San Diego, California. VOA’s Purnell Murdock has the story.
Facing a second inning pitch with two balls and one strike, Bonds took a short swing, met the ball squarely and sent it flying 116 meters into the left field stands at San Diego’s Petco Park.
The left-handed Bonds watched the ball from home plate as it hit an advertising sign and landed in the stands. Without a smile, he then took several slow steps toward first base before trotting around the bases to loud cheers, and some jeering from the fans.
After Bonds crossed home plate, he lifted his son and batboy Nicolai in an embrace. Teammate Ryan Klesko also hugged him. Bonds then walked through a greeting line of other teammates before embracing his young daughter and wife.
The 43-year-old Bonds has been shadowed by suspicions of using steroids for several years, which some fans feel has tainted his chase for the home run record. He denies knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs and has never tested positive for steroids.
It had been eight days and 28 plate appearances since Bonds hit his 754th home run. Bonds walked his next three times up Saturday, then left the game in the eighth inning. He is not expected to start Sunday, which would give him a chance to break the record at home starting Monday night.
Hank Aaron had held the career home run title since 1974.
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