This column was originally published Aug. 8, 2007, the day after Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s home run record.
SAN FRANCISCO — It was a simple act. The home run always has been. Barry Bonds swung his bat, laying its sweet spot against the incoming pitch. The sound was unmistakable, the ball’s flight undeniable.
It was over in fewer than 10 seconds. Bonds dropped his bat and raised his arms as the 756th home run of his career took flight, an increasingly distant speck against the Tuesday night sky. Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik rubbed the back of his neck, contemplating his side-door entrance into baseball’s Great Big Book of Everything.