Barry Bonds tied Hank Aaron for the career home run record last night in San Diego with his 755th career home run. It was a solo shot leading off the 2nd inning. Bonds was then walked the next three times he came up before being removed for a pinch runner.

The Padres went on to win the game 3 to 2 in the 12th inning.

Notes on this historic home run:

- The pitcher that gave up the home run, Clay Hensley, became the 445th pitcher to give up a home run to Bonds. This a record that Bonds has been continually adding to over the last few seasons.

- Clay Hensley tested positive for steroids while in the minor leagues in 2005. How perfect. Why is this only being barely mentioned? It's another example of hw you cannot tell who does steroids by a player's performance, position, or physical appearance. Please note that the player most vilified in this steroids witch hunt has never tested positive for steroids. Please again note that he hit #755 off a pitcher who has tested positive. Think about that. Seriously, think about it. No, I don't think you've thought about it long enough, get back to me on this one. Also note this article on how over 100 players in the big leagues tested positive in 2003. Do you understand how completely ridiculous and hypocritical the Barry Bonds steroids witch hunt is yet? Again I am not claiming to know that Bonds has NOT done steroids. My point is the way he's been singled out is asinine.

- How many home runs has Barry Bonds hit off of "juiced" pitchers? I don't think the actual answer matters really, but I guarantee you it's more than one. It's just head shaking how stupid the "asterisk" crowd is. If you think Barry Bonds' records should have an asterisk you are probably also the kind of fella that thinks that Intelligent Design is really solid science. It's just remarkably stupid to single out one player who has never even tested positive while not doing the same with other players' records. And really it all comes down to the fact that baseball stats are not set in a vacuum. Do you want to adjust pitchers ERAs who have given up home runs to Bonds? Hmm... How about adjusting batting averages of players who hit against pitchers that have tested positive? As I've mentioned before many of the players who have tested positive for steroids have been pitchers.

- Many said Bonds would not play on the road for fear of tying/breaking the record on the road. This has not been the case at all. Bonds has been playing throughout the Giants road trip (He does plan to sit out today's final game of the road trip but do not read into that as he almost always sits out day games after night games.) He also stayed in the game last night and tried to hit #756 in San Diego. I would also not be surprised at all if he ends up pinch hitting today as he often does in games he sits out.

- Many said that the reaction to a milestone Bonds home run anywhere but in San Francisco would be unsightly. Not the case in San Diego last night. Bonds received a very warm reaction all things considered.

- It was his 72nd home run since turning 40. This ties the record set by Carlton Fisk.

Video of the home run (with the call by the Giants announcers)

Labels: Barry Bonds