Bonds equals US home run record05.08.2007 06:00 Sports US baseball player Barry Bonds has equalled Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs, which has stood since 1974. The San Francisco Giants slugger hit the 382-foot homer off San Diego Padres pitcher Clay Hensley in the second inning at San Diego's Petco Park. Bonds, 43, was widely cheered as he circled the bases and greeted by his team-mates at home plate, moments after being booed as he strode to the plate. His achievement has been overshadowed by claims he has used steroids. The left-handed Bonds has never tested positive for drug use, and denies having done so knowingly. But rumours have persisted since his home run tally took off after he turned 35, moving past the legendary Babe Ruth into second place in May last year with his 715th career home run. He equalled Aaron's record at a venue where a giant syringe was thrown on the field by a fan in protest last season. The left-handed hitter had gone 27 times to bat since he struck his last home run on 27 July in San Francisco. But the wait ended with his first at-bat in Saturday's game, as he slammed the right-handed Hensley into the left-field stands. While some of the crowd still jeered as Bonds took his position in left-field for the bottom half of the second inning, most gave him a standing ovation and he responded by tipping and waving his cap to the stands. Bonds turned around between pitches from his defensive post to take a long look at the spot where his home run had landed. He was walked in his next three at-bats before leaving the game for a pinch runner in the top of the eighth. Bonds is not expected to start the Giants' next game on Sunday, giving him a chance to break Aaron's record in a seven-game run at home that opens against the Washington Nationals on Monday.
Source: BBC Sportwww.alllee.com |
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