[75] The ball was later sold to toy manufacturer Todd McFarlane for $450,000. Bonds is the first player in the thirty-year history of the licensing program not to sign. On January 29, 2007, the Giants finalized a contract with Bonds for the 2007 season. [94] Bonds hit under .200 for his first 10 games of the season and did not hit a home run until April 22. In order to use his name or likeness, a company must deal directly with Bonds. What he's doing is stupid. [100][101] The ball was hit an estimated 445 feet (140 m) into center field where it went through the hands of several fans but then fell onto an elevated platform in center field. [24] He also became the only member of the career 500 home run/500 stolen base club by stealing second base on June 23 off of pitcher Éric Gagné in the 11th inning of a tied ball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers (against whom Bonds had tallied his 500th home run). In 2013 a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit affirmed his conviction,[159] but in 2015 his appeal was reheard by the full court en banc, which voted 10–1 to overturn his conviction. [50], Bonds hit .336 in 1993, leading the league with 46 home runs and 123 RBI en route to his second consecutive MVP award,[51] and third overall. [173], In July 2005, all four defendants in the BALCO steroid scandal trial, including Anderson, struck deals with federal prosecutors that did not require them to reveal names of athletes who may have used banned drugs.[176]. Bonds hit a pitch from Chris Young of the San Diego Padres just over the wall to the left of straightaway center field for career home run 735. '[170], Bonds reports that for a short time during his playing days with the Giants he changed his demeanor at the behest of a group of teammates, resulting in him smiling much more frequently and engaging more with others with a pleasant attitude. Bonds said he hadn't even thought about this being 10 years since his milestone home run until hearing from the team with an invite to the ballpark Monday, when the Giants hosted the World Series champion Chicago Cubs. If I didn't overcome it I wouldn't be back here. He also drew a league-leading 117 walks. [24][37] Following the season, rumors that he would be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jeff Hamilton and John Wetteland, but the team denied the rumors and no such trade occurred. [131] After Bonds finished his home run trot, a ten-minute delay followed, including a brief video by Aaron congratulating Bonds on breaking the record Aaron had held for 33 years,[132] and expressing the hope that "the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams. Remarked Bonds,[170], Hell, I kick myself now, because I'm getting great press [since being more cooperative], and I could have had a trillion more endorsements, but that wasn't my driving force. On this day, Sports Auction for Heritage (a Dallas-based auction house) offered US$1 million to the fan who would catch Bonds' record-breaking 756th-career home run. "When the time comes I can answer that, but right now there's nothing really to answer," he said. But the throw to Pirates catcher Mike LaValliere was late and Bream scored the winning run. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Bonds is the lone member of the 500–500 club, which means he has hit at least 500 home runs (762) and stolen at least 500 bases (514); no other player has even 400 of both. Breaking Hank Aaron's home run record, Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants rounding the bases as his son, a batboy, celebrates at home plate, August 7, 2007. [156], On December 15, 2011, Bonds was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest, two years of probation and 250 hours of community service, for an obstruction of justice conviction stemming from a grand jury appearance in 2003. [98] The home run came off left-handed pitcher Brad Halsey of the Oakland A's, in an interleague game played in Oakland, California. He finished second to the Atlanta Braves’ Terry Pendleton (the NL batting champion) in the MVP voting. [35] Bonds now fit into a highly respected lineup featuring Bobby Bonilla, Van Slyke and Jay Bell. He is 2nd in doubles (601), slugging percentage (.607), stolen bases (514), at-bats (9,847), and hits (2,935), 6th in triples (77), 8th in sacrifice flies (91), and 9th in strikeouts (1,539), through September 26, 2007.[24]. He won the NL batting title with a career-high .370 average and struck out only 47 times. In 2004 he became only the third major leaguer to hit more than 700 home runs in his career, and he became the major league all-time walks leader, surpassing Rickey Henderson. [193] The series was canceled in June 2006, ESPN and producer Tollin/Robbins Productions citing "creative control" issues with Bonds and his representatives. If that's what they want to do, go ahead, do your thing.". "[143] 10 million voters helped Ecko decide to brand the ball with an asterisk and send it to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.