On October 7th in sports history, one significant event occurred in 2001 when Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants hit his 73rd home run of the season, breaking the previous single-season record of 70 set by Mark McGwire in 1998.
It was a momentous occasion at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, as Bonds stepped up to the plate in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, knowing that Bonds was just one homer away from making history. Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park delivered a 1-0 pitch, and Bonds connected with a powerful swing, sending the ball soaring into the right-field seats.
The stadium erupted in celebration as Bonds rounded the bases, his teammates eagerly waiting to congratulate him at home plate. The giant screen in center field displayed "73" in honor of his record-breaking achievement. Bonds's godfather, the legendary Willie Mays, was among the first to greet him with a hug.
Bonds's 73rd home run capped off an incredible season in which he also set the record for highest slugging percentage (.863) and most walks in a season (177). His achievement was a testament to his skill, power, and dedication to the game.
However, the record was not without controversy, as Bonds, like many other players of his era, was later suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs. Nonetheless, his on-field accomplishments that day secured his place in baseball history.
The record-breaking ball was later sold at auction for a staggering $517,500, further cementing the significance of Bonds's achievement on October 7th, 2001.
