756*

Bonds passes Aaron as home run king, but not without controversy

By Greg Atwan, Newser User

Posted Aug 7, 2007 11:23 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barry Bonds became Major League Baseball's all-time leading home run hitter last night, brushing aside Hank Aaron's vaunted record with a 435-foot solo shot to right center in the bottom of the 5th. Bonds 756th came off a 3-2 pitch from Nats starter Mike Bacsik—whose father denied Aaron his 756th home run in 1976.

Both Aaron and commissioner Bud Selig were conspicuously absent from AT&T Park tonight, though Aaron appeared in a congratulatory video, and Selig sent an envoy to the celebration that began as soon as Bonds crossed home plate—one unavoidably muted by a feeling that the milestone is tainted with Bonds' alleged steroid use. Bonds also singled and doubled against Washington.

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds reacts after hitting his 756th career home run in the fifth inning of their baseball game against the Washington Nationals in San Francisco, Tuesday, August 7, 2007.... (Associated Press)

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds hits a double in the second inning during their baseball game against the Washington Nationals in San Francisco, Tuesday, August 7, 2007.(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Associated Press)

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds walks out to bat in the second inning during their baseball game against the Washington Nationals in San Francisco, Tuesday, August 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Associated Press)

San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds hits his 756th career home run in the fifth inning of their baseball game against the Washington Nationals in San Francisco, Tuesday, August 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (Associated Press)

San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds hits his 756th career home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game off Washington Nationals' Mike Bacsik Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2007, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben... (Associated Press)

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Bonds passes Aaron as home run king, but not without controversy

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Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

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Bonds passes Aaron as home run king, but not without controversy

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

MLB • Barry Bonds • Bud Selig • Hank Aaron • record • home run • baseball

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Angels Land Albert Pujols for $250M

Deal is for 10 years, $250 million

Rangers Tame Tigers 3-2 in ALCS Opener

Verlander and Co. can't get it done in rain-delayed game

Red Sox Miss Playoffs After 'Worst Collapse Ever'

Last-day losses cap miserable month for Red Sox, Braves

Yanks' Rivera Makes Record 602nd Save

Fans third Twins batter to ice it

Jim Thome Hits 600th Homer... Without Steroids

Baseball's 'nicest guy' joins select club

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