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Bonds blasts by Bronx Bomber

Giants outfielder Barry Bonds connects off Rockies starter Byung-Hyun Kim in the fourth inning for his 715th career home run, passing Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time list. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Giants outfielder Barry Bonds connects off Rockies starter Byung-Hyun Kim in the fourth inning for his 715th career home run, passing Babe Ruth for second place on the all-time list. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SAN FRANCISCO – Now there’s only Hank Aaron.

Barry Bonds hit his 715th home run Sunday to slip past Babe Ruth and pull in right behind Aaron, whose long-standing record of 755 may prove even tougher to crack.

So let the debate begin: Can Bonds hold up to break it?

“If you keep playing long enough anything is possible,” he said.

No. 715 played out exactly the way San Francisco’s slugger wanted – he hit it at home, in front of the fans who adore him.

It just took him a little longer than he had hoped. The historic home run came eight days after he tied the Babe for second place.

“For the fans of San Francisco, it can’t get any better than this – even though I made them wait longer than I have in the past,” Bonds said. “Age ain’t catching up with me.”

But at 41, Bonds has been slowed by health problems. And many believe his rapid ascent up the home run ranks was fueled by performance-enhancing drugs.

Bonds’ latest milestone was a 445-foot, two-run shot to center before a sellout crowd. Bonds homered off Colorado Rockies starter Byung-Hyun Kim in the fourth inning of a 6-3 loss. “It’s a great honor,” said Bonds, who watched Aaron hit his 715th home run at age 10. “It’s a wonderful honor. Hank Aaron is the home run king and I won’t disrespect that ever. … I have a lot of respect for Babe Ruth and what he’s done. I’d like to win a World Series and be home run king.”