Barry Bonds is now just one Home Run away from being tied with the all time home run king, Hank Aaron. Barry saw a 2-1 fastball that he liked, and gave an extremely valuable souvenir to a fan sitting behind the Center Field wall. The home run was hit off of Florida Marlins rookie pitcher Rick Vanden Hurk. Vanden Hurk can throw his fastball at upwards of 98 MPH, but apparentley there was not enough gas behind the delivery to Bonds. It was Bonds’ first time ever facing the prospect from the Netherlands.

Barry’s not quite there yet, but tonight should alleviate some of the pressure off of Bonds’ back. San Francisco Giants owner Peter Magowen has shown very much excitement over Bonds breaking the record, by informing the press of plans for a party once the record is broken. Magowan said:

“When he breaks this record, he will have achieved something truly meaningful that I think will stand the test of time.”

Now Bonds is just a swing of the bat away from history in the making. Say what you will of Bonds, but he is the greatest hitter of all time, steroid clouds hovering above him or not. This is an accomplishment he has truly earned, and he deserves the respect of true baseball fans. Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig did the right thing by making plans to be in attendance when Bonds sets his place in the record books.