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Photo by Associated Press
Barry Bonds reacts after hitting career home run No. 756 to break the all-time record on Tuesday night. |
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Barry Bonds — 21 home runs from Hank Aaron’s all-time record at the beginning of this season, is, after 21 years, one up on The Hammer.
On Tuesday night, Bonds crossed the plate after belting a solo home run on a 3-2 count against Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik. The long ball gave him No. 756 and consequently the No. 1 position in record books for all-time career home runs.
In front a crowd of more than 43,000 at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, Bonds paused for a moment after the ball sailed into the right field stands before he rounded the bases and met his son, Nikolai, for a hug at home plate. For some baseball fans, however, his feat was not the only thing on their minds.
Since the beginning of the season, besides his home run record pursuit, Barry Bonds has been under close watch for possible use of performance enhancing drugs or steroids.
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One more nail than the Hammer
Frederick baseball fans join debate over Barry Bonds breaking all-time home run record.
Sean Gallagher
Monrovia
Gallagher, 43, said he felt ambivalent about Barry Bonds making history."
"Every time they talk about him breaking the record in the next breath they talk about steroids. It's a shame, too, because this could do a lot for baseball.
Ken Sword
Frederick
Sword, 75, is an avid Keys fan, attending 60 to 70 games a year. It is possible Bonds has used steroids, but he isn't the only one, he said.
"If he hits them out, regardless of what they accuse him of, he deserves the record."
Kirk Hoover
Frederick
Four years ago, Hoover, 45, spent $450 on a bat signed by Barry Bonds at an auction in Baltimore.
"Now I feel like the whole thing is tainted. I don't care about the value, because in my heart it is not what it was four years ago. It's a blow toward the integrity of the game."
Laurie Wagner
Taneytown
Bonds should be judged according to the principle of innocent until proven guilty, said Laurie, 39, whose son Jimmy, 12, has been following Bonds' record-breaking season.
"I hate to say something about someone if there is no proof."
Tommy Thompson
Frederick Keys manager
"I know he's been accused of using steroids and those kinds of drugs, but he hits the ball farther and as good as anybody, and you don't know if he's guilty until proven. What he's accomplished is pretty special."
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