Finally!!!

[gridlore]

714!!!!



Bonds Ties the Babe With Home Run No. 714

Barry, meet the Babe. Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on the career list with his 714th home run Saturday, ending a nine-game drought with a shot into the first deck of elevated stands in right-center leading off the second inning against the Oakland Athletics.

The ball landed about eight rows up in the seats overlooking the high fence just to the left of the out-of-town scoreboard. Though the A's don't provide estimated distances on home runs, the ball appeared to travel about 400 feet — far from being one of his trademark behemoth drives.

Booed when he was introduced before the game, the San Francisco star received a long standing ovation after his home run, and the game was delayed about 90 seconds.

The ball was caught on the fly by 19-year-old Tyler Snyder of nearby Pleasanton, who was cheered by fans around him and quickly left the Coliseum with his souvenir.

Bonds had gone 29 at-bats without a homer since hitting No. 713 with a 450-foot drive May 7 in Philadelphia. His teenage son, Nikolai, a Giants bat boy, was waiting for him at home plate and they embraced.

Comments

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

And there was much rejoicing. Bonds couldn't have looked happier. He was actually talking to reporters!

May he get a reasonable number more and then happily retire. He's earned it.

PS - The kid who caught the ball says that he's in college and will sell the ball because he needs the money. He's an A's fan and not a fan of Bonds at all.

[kshandra]

Caught that (no pun intended) on SI's website. Barry's reaction? "I, um, forgive him. If he doesn't want the ball, he can give it to me."