Chasing a record

When their sons are old enough, fathers share the sport of baseball with them. They play catch and practice together throughout his childhood.

A lot of fathers hope their sons will make it to the major leagues one day. On the rare occasion that both father and son get to the majors it is a special and exciting event.

This is the case with Bobby and Barry Bonds.

Bobby had a great career with the Giants and combined speed and power to dominate. He is one of five players that have 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases.

Right now, Barry is actually doing better. He is the only player ever to have more than 400 home runs and 400 stolen bases in his career, and is currently chasing Mark McGwire's record for 70 home runs in a single season.

As of Sunday, September 30, Barry has 69 home runs. He also has 132 RBIs, 119 runs scored, a league leading .504 on-base percentage, and an .848 slugging percentage. In the past, he has had over 100 RBIs eight times, led the NL in walks five times, and led the NL in on-base percentage four times.

Between 1990-1993 he won three MVP awards.

Barry won his first MVP award in 1990, when he became the second player to ever hit 30 home runs and steal 50 bases in once season in 1990. In 1991, he was second in MVP voting in 1991.

Barry led the majors in slugging in 1992, when he won his second MVP. In 1993, when he won his third award, he led the NL in home runs, slugging percentage, and RBIs (with 123).

He also has a lot of speed for a power hitter. In 1998, McGwire had one stolen base and 70 home runs, while Barry had 28 stolen bases and 37 home runs.

Barry also has a lot of distractions to deal with including Sports Illustrated and Jeff Kent claiming he isn't a team player. It also must be hard to hit home runs during this national crisis.

When McGwire hit 70 in 1998, he didn't receive the criticism Bonds is getting now. He also admitted to using steroids or human growth hormones. But when he stopped using them in 1999 he still hit 65 home runs.

When Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961, he had an asterisk put by his name in the record books because he played in more games than Ruth. At the time, he was receiving death threats in the mail. He had a lot more distractions than Bonds.

Babe Ruth was hitting 50 or 60 home runs, while the runner-up had 12 or 13. Ruth hit home runs at such a great pace that no one could ever catch up with him. He defeated everyone with the greatest margin of all.

Right now Barry Bonds is on the road to the history books. He is overcoming great distraction and helping the Giants make it to the playoffs. He's only a few home runs away from breaking the single season home run record.

What will turn up at the end of the season?