"That Ball Is History" - Bob Carpenter

"That ball is history" is the phrase Bob Carpenter, announcer for the Washington Nationals on MASN, used to call the record breaking home run, number 756. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home run record in the bottom of the 5th inning with one out of the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants game. Mike Bacsik, whose father pitched against Bond's All-Star father, is the pitcher who will go in the record books as the one who pitched the ball that passed Hank Aaron.

Bacsik threw two balls and a called strike before Bonds made contact with the ball. Bonds then fouled one off, took another ball and hit one more foul before he crushed the ball into a lucky man's hands. It was clear from the crack of the bat that the ball was destined to go over the wall. Mike Bacsik, who earlier had stated it wouldn't be a "horrible thing" to be that guy, lowered his head and put his left hand on the back of his hat as ball sailed through air. As Bonds rounded the bases, his family made their way to the field and the Giants' dugout cleared. Hank Aaron's message aired on the screen, in which he passed the torch to Bonds and hoped that this would inspire others to chase their dreams.

Following the ceremony, Bacsik came back to get the final two outs of the 5th inning.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the potential use of performance-enhancing drugs, it is clear that Bonds is a talented athlete who could not have gotten to this point without natural ability and hard work. The circumstances surrounding the record are unfortunate, but perhaps, for just a moment, everyone can take a step back and appreciate what this moment means to baseball.

AP Photo Credit: Ben Margot