Bonds Smashes Home Run No756 to Break Aaron's Record

Barry Bonds smashed the 756th home run of his career last night to finally break Major League Baseball's most cherished record. The moment sparked an almighty scramble in the stands as spectators fought for the ball, and much soul-searching in America over whether a player who has been investigated for steroid abuse deserves the honor.

The 43-year-old Bonds finally surpassed Hank Aaron's home-run record, which had stood since 1974, after sending a fastball from Mike Bacsik over the fence in the fifth innings. Bonds then held his hands aloft in triumph and play was suspended for 10 minutes while his team-mates congratulated him, San Francisco Giants fans chanted "Barry, Barry", and fireworks exploded in the sky.

In a recorded message broadcast on the AT&T stadium scoreboard, Aaron then paid tribute to Bonds, saying: "It is a great accomplishment which requires 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 historical achievement," he added. "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 dreams."

The fan who caught the home-run ball - which is likely to be auctioned for over $1m - was identified as 22-year-old New Yorker Matt Murphy, who was not available for comment but other fans described the scrum in the stands for the valuable keepsake. "It was a mess, bodies on top of bodies, four layers deep for five minutes," said 52-year-old Mark Peel. "I didn't think anyone was going to come up."

Bonds said he does not want the ball back. "He caught it, it's his," he said. "He's the greatest of all time," Bacsik told reporters. "Giving it up to Barry Bonds is nothing to be ashamed of."

The accomplishment, however, is not without controversy. Bonds is being investigated for the grand jury testimony he made in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case four years ago. There is a chance Bonds could be indicted for perjury or tax evasion. Bonds has always denied knowingly use steroids - and last night he told reporters: "This record is not tainted at all - at all. Period. You guys can say whatever you want."

Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who was not at the game, congratulated Bonds by telephone - but there was a note of caution too in his statement. "While the issues which have swirled around this record will continue to work themselves toward resolution, today is a day for congratulations on a truly remarkable achievement," he said.

And while Bonds grabbed the record, it didn't do his team much good: they ended up losing the match to the Washington Capitals 8-6.