Milestone home runs by Barry Bonds

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An AT&T Park sign depicting the anticipation of #714
An AT&T Park sign depicting the anticipation of #714

Milestone home runs by Barry Bonds have been those important home runs hit by Barry Bonds, who ranks among the greatest baseball players of all time and has for much of his career been considered a five-tool player.[1][2] Bonds' ascension towards the top of experts' lists of greatest players was propelled by highly productive years in which he set many records. By 1998, he was considered among the 50 greatest players of all time by The Sporting News,[3] and after winning the National League's Most Valuable Player Award four consecutive times from 2001-2004, he jumped into the top 10 in the 2005 list.[4] He now holds numerous Major League Baseball records for home runs, bases on balls, intentional bases on balls, slugging percentage and on base percentage, as well as a record seven MVP awards.[5]

In baseball, the home run is one of the most popular aspects of the game. Thus, the career record for home runs is among the most important and respected records in baseball. The road to this record has been closely followed and each additional home run Bonds hits extends the current record further. On August 7, 2007, Barry Bonds became the major leagues' career home run champion by hitting his 756th career home run, which surpassed Hank Aaron's total.[6]

Quite often milestone home runs such as round hundred and career records are considered breaking news,[7][8] and sports news services give coverage to countdowns on impending milestone home runs. Several of Bonds' milestone home runs were given dedicated coverage on ESPN BottomLine, with Chasing Ruth and Chasing Aaron coverage being quite extensive for the few seasons preceding the breaking of the record. Sports collectible dealers and buyers pay exorbitant sums for paraphernalia associated with such milestones. The Baseball Hall of Fame covets such perephernalia for display.[9] In fact, players are even sensitive to the way in which their paraphernalia is displayed.[10] A baseball that was hit for a milestone causes such a mêlée and such hysteria that special balls have to be used to stop counterfeiting,[11] and police escorts are necessary for those who catch such balls.[12]

Because of Bonds' versatility even some of his early milestones were quite significant. Barry Bonds' milestone home runs have received extensive coverage since his 300th made him the fourth member of the 300-300 club which also included his godfather Willie Mays and father Bobby Bonds.[13] His 400th home run also received national coverage,[14] and his 400-400 feat was a motivating goal and is widely cited as a testament to his greatness.[15][16][17] His 500th home run was part of a memorable 2001 Major League Baseball season of milestones in which he hit a record 73 home runs in a single season and surpassed many baseball legends.[18][19] His 554th home run and 60th of the season sold for $5000.[20] His 567th and 73rd of the season sold for $500,000, which was far less than the $3 million for which Mark McGwire's 70th had been sold three years earlier.[21] Bonds' 660th home run was more celebrated than his 661st because it put him in the same company as his own godfather on the all-time list.[22] Bonds' 600th and 700th home runs both were widely followed and reported in the media because they placed him such elite company.[23][24] Bonds' 756th home run sold for $752,467 (including a 20% commission).[21] Below is a list of Barry Bonds' milestone home runs.[25]

Contents

[edit] Milestone home runs

HR Date Age Team Pitcher Opponent Park Score Situation Runners Notes
1[26] 1986-06-04 21 y, 315 d Pittsburgh Craig McMurtry Atlanta Fulton County Stadium 10-2 T5 2out ---  
100[27] 1990-07-12 25 y, 353 d Pittsburgh Andy Benes San Diego Three Rivers Stadium 0-0 B1 2out 2-0 12-  
200[28] 1993-07-08 28 y, 349 d San Francisco Jose DeLeon Philadelphia Veterans Stadium 11-1 T7 0out 0-0 ---  
300[29] 1996-04-27 31 y, 278 d San Francisco John Burkett Florida Candlestick Park 2-0 B3 0out 0-0 -2- Becomes the fourth member of the 300-300 club.[13]
400[30] 1998-08-23 34 y, 30 d San Francisco Kirt Ojala Florida Pro Player Stadium 3-0 T3 1out 1-1 --- Becomes the first member of the 400-400 club.[14]
500[31] 2001-04-17 36 y, 267 d San Francisco Terry Adams L.A. Dodgers Pacific Bell Park 1-2 B8 0out 2-0 --3 Becomes the seventeenth member of the 500 home run club.[19]
554[32] 2001-09-06 37 y, 44 d San Francisco Albie Lopez Arizona Pacific Bell Park 4-2 B2 2out 2-2 --- Ties Babe Ruth as the fifth member of the 60 home run club.[33][34]
564[35] 2001-10-04 37 y, 72 d San Francisco Wilfredo Rodriguez Houston Minute Maid Park 9-2 T9 0out 1-1 --- Ties Mark McGwire for first place in single season home runs and as 2nd member of the 70 home run club.[36]
565[37] 2001-10-05 37 y, 73 d San Francisco Chan Ho Park L.A. Dodgers Pacific Bell Park 0-5 B1 2out 1-0 --- Surpasses McGwire for first place in single season home runs with 71.[38]
567[39] 2001-10-07 37 y, 75 d San Francisco Dennis Springer L.A. Dodgers Pacific Bell Park 0-0 B1 2out 3-2 --- Sets new single season record with 73 home runs.[40]
600[41] 2002-08-09 38 y, 16 d San Francisco Kip Wells Pittsburgh Pacific Bell Park 2-4 B6 2out 2-1 --- Becomes the fourth member of the 600 home run club.[42]
660[43] 2004-04-12 39 y, 263 d San Francisco Matt Kinney Milwaukee SBC Park 2-4 B5 2out 3-1 12- Ties Willie Mays for third place in career home runs.[44]
661[45] 2004-04-13 39 y, 264 d San Francisco Ben Ford Milwaukee SBC Park 3-1 B7 2out 1-2 --- Surpasses Mays for third place in career home runs.[22]
700[46] 2004-09-17 40 y, 55 d San Francisco Jake Peavy San Diego SBC Park 3-0 B3 0out 0-1 --- Becomes the third member of the 700 home run club.[47]
714[48] 2006-05-20 41 y, 300 d San Francisco Brad Halsey Oakland McAfee Coliseum 0-1 T2 0out 1-1 --- Ties Ruth for second place in career home runs.[49]
715[50] 2006-05-28 41 y, 308 d San Francisco Byung-Hyun Kim Colorado AT&T Park 0-6 B4 0out 3-2 1-- Surpasses Ruth for second place in career home runs.[51]
733[52] 2006-09-22 42 y, 60 d San Francisco Chris Spurling Milwaukee Miller Park 8-10 T6 1out 2-0 12- Ties Hank Aaron for first place in NL career home runs.[53]
734[54] 2006-09-23 42 y, 61 d San Francisco Chris Capuano Milwaukee Miller Park 1-6 T3 1out 1-0 --- Surpasses Aaron for first place in NL career home runs.[55]
755[56] 2007-08-04 43 y, 11 d San Francisco Clay Hensley San Diego PETCO Park 0-1 T2 0out 2-1 --- Ties Aaron for first place in career home runs.[57]
756[58] 2007-08-07 43 y, 14 d San Francisco Mike Bacsik Washington AT&T Park 4-4 B5 1out 3-2 --- Surpasses Aaron for first place in career home runs.[59]

[edit] Career home run leaders

Main article: List of top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters

Through the end of the 2007 Major League Baseball season the following are the career home run leaders:[60]

All-time
  1. Barry Bonds 762
  2. Hank Aaron 755
  3. Babe Ruth 714
  4. Willie Mays 660
  5. Sammy Sosa 609
Active
1. Barry Bonds 762
5. Sammy Sosa 609
6. Ken Griffey, Jr. 593
17. Alex Rodriguez 518
18. Frank Thomas 513

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Bonavita, Mark (1999-03-31). Baseball's five tools. Times Mirror Interzines. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  2. ^ Acee, Kevin (June 2001). Majors' Five-Tool Players Who Are They? - skills of baseball players. Baseball Digest. FindArticles.
  3. ^ Baseball's 100 Greatest Players by The Sporting News (1998). Baseball Almanac. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  4. ^ Smith, Rod, Baseball's 100 Greatest Players: Second Edition, Sporting News, ISBN 089204800X, 2005.
  5. ^ Player File: Barry Bonds 25 - LF. MLB Advanced Media, L.P. (2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  6. ^ Bonds turns page to new era with home run No. 756. ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-07). Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  7. ^ McLarty, Butch (2007-08-08). Giants' Slugger Barry Bonds smacks Home Run Number 756 to break Hank Aaron's record. altlondon.org. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  8. ^ McCauley, Janie (2007-08-07). Breaking News: Barry Bonds hits 756 to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record. Palo Alto Daily News. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  9. ^ Helmet, other gear from homers 755, 756 on display at Hall. ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-10). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  10. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike (2007-11-01). Bonds: Asterisk would force boycott of Hall of Fame. USA TODAY. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  11. ^ Schulman, Henry (2007-07-20). HAMMER TIME: Bonds homers twice -- just two behind Aaron. San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  12. ^ Queens man in San Francisco for one day catches famous ball. ESPN.com. ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-09). Retrieved on 2007-09-29.
  13. ^ a b BASEBALL;Bonds Joins 300-300 Club Before Ejection. The New York Times Company (1996-04-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  14. ^ a b Bonds Becomes 1st 400-400 Man. The Washington Post Company (1998-08-24). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  15. ^ Pearlman, Jeff (2006-03-16). For Bonds, great wasn't good enough. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  16. ^ Giants Timeline - 1996: Bonds bashes, runs into history. MLB Advanced Media, L.P.. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  17. ^ Smith, Claire (1996-05-17). BASEBALL;Bonds Loses Rage, but Not the Swing. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  18. ^ Barry Bonds' Incredible Season. San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc. (2001-10-08). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  19. ^ a b Bonds hits 71st, 72nd homers as Giants get eliminated. CNN/Sports Illustrated (2001-10-05). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  20. ^ Bulwa, Demian and Peter Fimrite (2007-07-29). Ballhawks circle for historic Bonds home run balls. San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  21. ^ a b Passan, Jeff (2007-09-15). Home run high. Yahoo! Inc.. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  22. ^ a b Bonds hits solo shot in seventh off Ford. ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-04-13). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  23. ^ Bonds joins Aaron, Mays, Ruth in 600-homer club. CNN/Sports Illustrated (2002-08-10). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  24. ^ Bonds Joins 700 Home Run Club. CBS Interactive Inc. (2004-09-18). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  25. ^ Barry Bonds Home Run Log (Batting). baseball-reference.com. Sports Reference, Inc. (2007-10-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-01.
  26. ^ Jun 4, 1986, Pirates at Braves Box Score and Play by Play. Sports Reference, Inc. (1986-06-04). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  27. ^ Jul 12, 1990, Padres at Pirates Box Score and Play by Play. Sports Reference, Inc. (1990-07-12). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  28. ^ Jul 8, 1993, Giants at Phillies Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (1994-07-08). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  29. ^ Apr 27, 1996, Marlins at Giants Box Score and Play by Play. Sports Reference, Inc. (1996-04-27). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  30. ^ Aug 23, 1998, Giants at Marlins Box Score and Play by Play. Sports Reference, Inc. (1998-08-23). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  31. ^ Apr 17, 2001, Dodgers at Giants Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (2001-04-17). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  32. ^ Sep 6, 2001, Diamondbacks at Giants Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (2001-09-06). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  33. ^ Reaves, Jessica (2001-09-07). Barry-ing the Hatchet With Mr. Bonds. Time magazine. Time Inc. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  34. ^ Peterson, Anne M. (2001-09-06). Barry Bonds Joins The Babe At 60. thesundevils.cstv.com. Arizona State Baseball. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  35. ^ Oct 4, 2001, Giants at Astros Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (2001-10-04). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  36. ^ Chass, Murray (2001-10-05). Baseball; Bonds is Unleashed, Smashing His Way Alongside McGwire. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  37. ^ Oct 5, 2001, Dodgers at Giants Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (2001-10-05). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  38. ^ Roberts, Selena (2001-10-06). Baseball; Bonds Breaks Homer Record, And Then Some. The New York Times Company. Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  39. ^ Oct 7, 2001, Dodgers at Giants Play by Play and Box Score. Sports Reference, Inc. (2001-10-07). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  40. ^ A Welcome Distraction. The New York Times Company (2001-10-08). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  41. ^ Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2002-08-09). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  42. ^ Bonds' 600th blast not enough to beat Bucs. ESPN Internet Ventures (2002-08-09). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  43. ^ Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-04-12). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  44. ^ Bonds hits into McCovey Cove for 28th time. ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-04-12). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  45. ^ Milwaukee Brewers at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-04-13). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  46. ^ San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-09-17). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  47. ^ Giants hold half-game lead on Cubs. ESPN Internet Ventures (2004-09-17). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  48. ^ San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-05-20). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  49. ^ Bonds reels in Babe, blasts home run No. 714. ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-05-20). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  50. ^ Colorado Rockies at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-05-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  51. ^ Bonds' milestone homer not enough vs. Rockies. ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-05-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  52. ^ San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-09-22). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  53. ^ Bonds ties Aaron's NL HR mark, but Giants fall to Brewers. ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-09-22). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  54. ^ San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee Brewers (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-09-23). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  55. ^ Bonds hits NL-record 734th HR, but Giants lose again. ESPN Internet Ventures (2006-09-23). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  56. ^ San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-04). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  57. ^ Bonds ties Aaron with No. 755, but Pads win in 12. ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-04). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  58. ^ Washington Nationals at San Francisco Giants (box score). ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-07). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  59. ^ Bonds turns page to new era with home run No. 756. ESPN Internet Ventures (2007-08-07). Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
  60. ^ Career Leaders & Records for Home Runs. Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, Inc. (2007-10-28). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.