Baseball’s all-time home run leader sits atop the throne of every individual accomplishment within the sacred record book of our National Pastime. For generations, we have marveled at the likes of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson and other sluggers whose majestic drives soar through the sky as if in slow motion, leaving our mouths agape as the ball eventually becomes a souvenir for a lucky fan. Babe Ruth held the torch for nearly 53 years before his 714 homers were surpassed by Hank Aaron in 1974. It would take another 33 years for someone to dethrone Hammerin’ Hank’s 755, and that man was Barry Lamar Bonds. Featured here is his last career home run ball—number 762—that represents arguably the most prestigious crown in all of sports.
Barry grew up in the Bay Area a rabid San Francisco Giants fan. His godfather is Willie Mays (660, 4th all-time) and his father, Bobby, was a formidable power-hitter in his own right (332 HRs) with the black and orange. Stardom, it seemed, was his destiny. By the turn of the century, Bonds was widely considered the greatest player of his generation. Then, from 2000 to 2004 in his late 30s, Barry went from superstar to immortal, averaging over 51 homers a year (including breaking McGwire's single-season mark with 73 in 2001) and putting up statistics attainable only in video games. While Aaron had chipped away in his later years, Bonds surged towards the crown, pounding his way into the pantheon of baseball’s elite sluggers. As he climbed the ladder, passing his beloved godfather, then Ruth, and finally Aaron, there was as much support as there was opposition among baseball purists in the anointment of a new Home Run King. Regardless of your stance, you had to stand in awe every time Bonds turned on one and launched it into McCovey Cove.
On August 4, 2007, Bonds hit #755 to tie Aaron in San Diego. Three days later he blasted #756 in front of the Giants’ faithful at AT&T Park to stand alone at the top. He continued to add to his record total until September 5th when his opposite-field drive off Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez into Denver’s thin air for #762 became the last long ball of his career. SCP Auctions holds the distinction of selling each of these milestone home run balls. In September 2007, we sold #756 for $752,467 and #755 for $186,750. Then, we auctioned this very #762 ball in April 2008, seven months after the event took place. Although the Giants decided not to resign Bonds for 2008, few could have predicted that 2007 would be Barry’s final season. Even at age 43, he still had a few years left in the tank. Thus, the final price of $376,612 was certainly depressed by the fact that Bonds was fully expected to play again and hit many more dingers.
The scramble in the Coors Field bleachers for the ball and the ensuing controversy surrounding its acquisition and ownership are impeccably documented in the included paperwork, from affidavits to polygraph results—all backed up by video footage from the game. The ball itself, having been rubbed up for game action, shows ample use with an abrasion—perhaps the point of contact—on the OML (Selig) stamp. Recently, Bonds gave the ball his own autograph blessing, adding “My 762 HR 9-5-07” for the inscription. Includes LOA from Beckett for the auto.