Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run was met with mostly boos when it was announced at three other ballparks Tuesday night, a familiar reaction to the achievements of the San Francisco Giants left fielder.

Players were more impressed with Bonds' 756 career homers - and some were relieved.

"I'm glad I didn't have the dubious honor," San Diego reliever Scott Linebrink said. "I've given one up to him. In reality, it doesn't really matter if you gave up 300 or 756, but it is the stigma that will always follow one guy."

Other hitters marveled at Bonds.

"It's an amazing accomplishment - that's a lot of home runs," said Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, who hit two home runs during the Rockies' 6-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The historic home run drew praise from officials in and outside of the game.

Baseball union head Donald Fehr called it "truly one of those moments that all fans will remember."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who visited with Bonds in July in Chicago, offered his congratulations.

"He has survived!" Jackson said in a statement. "He remains the most feared batter with the most home runs and the most walks. I know his father rejoices tonight."

Only three games were going on when Bonds broke Henry Aaron's storied record with a drive in the fifth inning against Washington pitcher Mike Bacsik in San Francisco.

"I'm glad it didn't happen against us, but I know the pitcher, I worked with him as a minor league player and he's a great kid," San Diego manager Bud Black said.

"It's not a bad thing, not a bad thing at all. I gave up Reggie Jackson's 500th and it doesn't bother me. It's just a number."

News of Bonds' drive quickly reached Southern California, where a replay of the home run was shown on the video boards in right and left field in Anaheim after the final out of the fifth inning. The sellout crowd of 44,177 booed loudly.

Fans at Coors Field booed mostly as they watched Bonds round the bases between innings and quickly turned their attention to the top of the ninth of the Rockies' win.

"I'm indifferent," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "My home run chase was Hank Aaron and the Babe. I'll congratulate him professionally, but that's about it for me."

Rockies catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a former teammate of Bonds with the Giants, had a different reaction.

"I am happy for him," he said. "Sometimes people don't know how hard he works. I have seen him in the cage and gym. He is 40-something and still one of the best players in baseball. It was his time. Someone is going to break it, but this was his time."

Said Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes: "I was more interested in watching the fight for the ball. I don't know who came up with it. I saw them leading someone out. I don't know if he was in the melee or had the ball."

When the home run was shown on the big screen over center field in Arizona, a smattering of applause was drowned out by resounding boos from most of the crowd at Chase Field.

"I think it's pretty cool," Cardinals outfielder Jim Edmonds said after St. Louis' 4-0 loss to San Diego. "I think it's good for baseball and I just think it's a pretty neat thing."

In the visiting clubhouse at Busch Stadium, the Padres were also glad for Bonds.

"I think it was great," outfielder Scott Hairston said. "It was great to witness history. I kind of got teary-eyed myself when he was giving the speech (afterward). He pointed up at the sky and said thank you to his dad. It was a great moment."

Other players marveled at Bonds' longevity.

"I'm sure he's relieved it's over, but you know what an accomplishment it is to hit that many home runs," Padres outfielder Brian Giles said.

"To be able to play as many years as he has and to have the success he has had, he's going to go down as the greatest player or one of the greatest."

Brewers reliever Scott Linebrink agreed with Giles.

"He's a heck of a hitter. I'd say he's the most dangerous guy in the batter's box. To do that at his age is remarkable. . . . It is an amazing feat. There is no side note or footnote."

Brewers catcher Damian Miller added, "756 home runs is a lot of home runs. He's a good hitter. There is no way about it.

"The majority of players will stand up for him."

Career leaders

1. Barry Bonds   756

2. Henry Aaron   755

3. Babe Ruth   714

4. Willie Mays   660

5. Sammy Sosa*   604

6. Ken Griffey Jr.*   589

7. Frank Robinson   586

8. Mark McGwire   583

9. Harmon Killebrew   573

10. Rafael Palmeiro   569

11. Reggie Jackson   563

12. Mike Schmidt   548

13. Mickey Mantle   536

14. Jimmie Foxx   534

15. Willie McCovey   521

Ted Williams   521

17. Ernie Banks   512

Eddie Mathews   512

19. Mel Ott   511

20. Frank Thomas*   505

21. Eddie Murray   504

22. Alex Rodriguez*   500

23. Lou Gehrig   493

Fred McGriff   493

25. Jim Thome*   490

26. Manny Ramirez*   489

27. Gary Sheffield*   478

28. Stan Musial   475

Willie Stargell   475

30. Dave Winfield   465

31. Jose Canseco   462

32. Carl Yastrzemski   452

33. Jeff Bagwell   449

34. Dave Kingman   442

35. Andre Dawson   438

36. Juan Gonzalez   434

37. Cal Ripken Jr.   431

38. Billy Williams   426

39. Carlos Delgado*   424

40. Mike Piazza*   422

41. Darrell Evans   414

42. Duke Snider   407* Active

Milestone home runs

HR Date Pitcher, team Site

1 June 4, 1986 Craig McMurtry, Braves Atlanta

100 July 12, 1990 Andy Benes, Padres Pittsburgh

200 July 8, 1993 Jose DeLeon, Phillies Philadelphia

300 April 30, 1996 John Burkett, Marlins San Francisco

400 Aug. 23, 1998 Kirt Ojala, Marlins Miami

500 April 17, 2001 Terry Adams, Dodgers San Francisco

565 Oct. 5, 2001 Chan Ho Park, Dodgers San Francisco Broke Mark McGwire's single-season home run record

567 Oct. 7, 2001 Dennis Springer, Dodgers San Francisco Set single-season home run record (73)

600 Aug. 9, 2002 Kip Wells, Pirates San Francisco

661 April 13, 2004 Ben Ford, Brewers San Francisco Passed Willie Mays to take sole possession of third place

700 Sept. 17, 2004 Jake Peavy, Padres San Francisco

714 May 20, 2006 Brad Halsey, Athletics Oakland Tied Babe Ruth for second place on all-time home run list

715 May 28, 2006 Byung-Hyun Kim, Rockies San Francisco Passed Ruth for sole possession of second place

734 Sept. 23, 2006 Chris Capuano, Brewers Milwaukee Broke Hank Aaron's National League record

755 Aug. 4, 2007 Clay Hensley, Padres San Diego Tied Aaron's all-time home run record

756 Aug. 7, 2007 Mike Bacsik, Nationals San Francisco Broke Aaron's record

Record progression

• Only four players have held the career home run record in the modern era.

138

Roger Connor 1900-1921

139-714 Babe Ruth 1921-1974

715-755 Henry Aaron 1974-2007

756

Barry Bonds 2007-

Staff writer Tracy Ringolsby contributed to this report.

Back to Top