This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/23/2007
BARRY BONDS’ RECORD BREAKING HOME RUN -- #756
The time was 8:51 p.m. PDT, under a wind-swept sky, when Bonds, the San Francisco Giants' left fielder, crushed an 86-mph fastball from Washington Nationals left-hander Mike Bacsik over the wall in right-center field, the deepest corner of AT&T Park. It was a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the fifth inning, and when the ball cleared the fence some 435 feet away, Bonds was alone atop the sport's all-time home run list. It was homer No. 756, one more than the great Aaron hit. Barry Bonds’ road to 756, paved with record-setting performances as well as unprecedented public scrutiny, reached its destination.
The ball hit by Bonds to break baseball’s all-time home run record reached it’s destination as well, sailing into the bleachers at San Francisco’s AT&T Park just to the right of center, setting off a melee in the crowd. Matt Murphy, a tourist from Queens, N.Y., traveling with a friend on his way to Australia, came up with the historic orb. Murphy said he nearly missed Bonds' historic at-bat because he had left his seat to get a crab sandwich at AT&T Park. "We were back just in time," Murphy said. "We hustled." The ball "took a lucky bounce," Murphy said, and set off a scrum -- with him at the bottom. "Longest minute of my life," Murphy said. "There were people on top of people on top of people. The San Francisco Police Department really helped me out by getting there quickly."
The electrified crowd began an unbridled celebration after Bonds unleashed on the full-count fastball. Bonds rounded the bases to riotous applause, met his son, Nikolai, as usual, at home plate, and then was swarmed by his teammates. Even the Nationals stood at their positions and applauded the new home run king. Bonds mother Pat, his wife, Liz, and daughters Aisha and Shikari were also there for that brilliant moment. After the fireworks went off and he'd made the rounds, Bonds took the microphone and told the San Francisco fans he has played in front of for 15 seasons that he loved them. He nearly broke down in tears as he remembered his late father, Bobby, the former Giant who passed away from the ravages of cancer nearly four years ago. "I miss you," said Bonds, who trotted out to left field for the sixth inning, but was quickly removed from the game in a double switch by Giants manager Bruce Bochy. Bochy said that Bonds deserved the curtain call. For Bonds, who turned 43 on July 24, it was the zenith of what has been a long and controversial career that should ultimately land him in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., alongside the Hammer. Among the many poignant moments that night, the Hammer himself delivered one of the more awe-inspiring. In a surprise video message shown on the centerfield scoreboard, Aaron stated, "I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader. It is a great accomplishment, which required skill, longevity and determination. Throughout the past century, the home run has held a special place in baseball and I have been privileged to hold this record for 33 of those years. I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family on this historic achievement.” Aaron continued, "My hope today, as it was on that April evening in 1974, is that the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams."
BALL HIT BY BARRY BONDS FOR CAREER HOME RUN #756 BREAKING HANK AARON’S ALL-TIME HOME RUN RECORD
The Sotheby’s/SCP Auctions partnership is proud to offer the Ball Hit by Barry Bonds For His Record Setting Career Home Run #756, making him Major League Baseball’s All-Time Home Run King. For thirty-three years, “755” was thought to be an unreachable benchmark for baseball’s greatest sluggers, a seemingly immortal feat of power and endurance. Barry Bonds' career home run #756 baseball represents the achievement of perhaps the most hallowed record in all of sports. As such, it is one of the most significant baseball artifacts ever offered at public auction.
This historic ball was pre-marked for identification in anticipation of the event. Matt Murphy was immediately escorted by security into an office within the stadium where the ball was tagged with a hologram, and authenticated by Major League Baseball officials. Additional articles or provenance include LOAs from Matt Murphy and PSA/DNA.
Just added is Matt's ticket from the game, authenticated and encapsulated by PSA.