Will Barry catch Hank this year?

[Hammerin Hank]

Barry Bonds will enter the season with 708 career homeruns so he needs 48 homeruns to pass Hank for the all-time lead. However, Barry is nearly 48 himself.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

Barry Bonds will enter the season with 708 career homeruns so he needs 48 homeruns to pass Hank for the all-time lead. However, Barry is nearly 48 himself.

I don't think he will.
2 or 3 more seasons.

[KCGHOST]

Not likely. He probably won't play in enough games tohave a real opportunity.

[Hammerin Hank]

All he needs is 90 games or 200 at bats.

[BoofBonser26]

Originally Posted by Hammerin Hank

All he needs is 90 games or 200 at bats.

[OldEnglishD]

Where's the "If he plays enough" option ?

I don't think he will this year. Not sure if he'll stick around long enough to ever do it.

[Blackout]

Assuming he comes back at his 2001-04 pace, he needs realistically to play all 162 games next year, and then a month or two in 07

[west coast orange and black]

going on the premise of "one major milestone per year" theory, bonds is set to break ruth's record this season, and aaron's record next season.

He doesn't see enough pitches to hit near 50 homeruns.

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

going on the premise of "one major milestone per year" theory, bonds is set to break ruth's record this season, and aaron's record next season.

I'd say so also. Had this been 2002 and he had the same 708 dingers that he's currently got, it would be a question of not whether he'd do it this year, but in which stadium and month (August or September).

If he hits at least 30 this season, I'd say that, so long as he remains interested in continuing his career and can remain injury-free, I'd say that it would be a foregone conclusion he'd hit the other 18 to get him to #756.

Since people were going absolutely possessively crazy about his 600th hit, I'll also wonder what they'll do if/when he hits the 756th longball.

[Astro]

Will Bonds get pitches to hit as he gets closer?

Will he really want to play just to break the record (because with that team he is on, when they start to fall theyre gonna fall fast)

[Mattingly]

Originally Posted by Astro

Will Bonds get pitches to hit as he gets closer?

That's the thing. If/when he gets really close, like 745 or 750, will managers or pitch coaches order their guys to IBB him, or at least the unintentional/intentional walk thing?

I can see if it's 2 on, 1 out, bottom of the 8th and SFG is down by 1 run, then they walk him, but if the Giants' opponent is up by 4-5 runs, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs (yeah, yeah, you know the story), what have they got to lose if he smacks an otherwise unhittable pitch for a souvenir?

Will he really want to play just to break the record (because with that team he is on, when they start to fall theyre gonna fall fast)

His desire to continue playing, as well as his health, remain an issue. I've heard rumblings in the past of his wanting to DH for an AL team, but I'm not sure that Giants fans would allow their chief drawing card and practically the name and face of the team, get away that quickly.

When he'd played at Yankee Stadium for the first time June 2002 (and wallopped a monstrous bullet off Ted Lilly into the RF upper deck), he'd insisted upon being the DH, which Dusty for some reason, didn't challenge him on.

[Brannu]

In 2003, Barry hit 45 homeruns in 130 games. He only needs 38 homeruns to do it. He could do that, realistically, in 120 games. I voted yes, but, if he doesn't do it this year, I don't think he ever will. I really can't imagine him playing beyond this year - on those knees. But, what do I know?

Oops ... edit ... why did I think Aaron only hit 745. Barry won't hit 48 homeruns this season. I highly doubt it. Then, I stick with my premise. He gets 2nd place this year ... then hobbles into retirement.

[Dravecky43]

Originally Posted by Brannu

In 2003, Barry hit 45 homeruns in 130 games. He only needs 38 homeruns to do it. He could do that, realistically, in 120 games. I voted yes, but, if he doesn't do it this year, I don't think he ever will. I really can't imagine him playing beyond this year - on those knees. But, what do I know?

Oops ... edit ... why did I think Aaron only hit 745. Barry won't hit 48 homeruns this season. I highly doubt it. Then, I stick with my premise. He gets 2nd place this year ... then hobbles into retirement.

So the only "yes" vote is actually a "no"? I personally voted "no". I believe I said in another thread that he will hit 40 this year. Whether he comes back for 2007 or not will probably rest one how close he is to the record and if the Giants win it all this year. With a healthy season he will be very close to the record, and I think the Giants have a small chance of taking it. If they win the World Series, I believe he will retire.

[steveox]

When he hits a homer 2 things should be checked out.One his Bat and his steroid testing.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

Originally Posted by steveox

When he hits a homer 2 things should be checked out.One his Bat and his steroid testing.

Because that would be very fair!

...If he is healthy all year then he will do it. He hit sveveral last year in something like 14 games, he's still got it in him, he'll do it. Isnt he only 40-something away.

[KingJ]

He will if the Giants move him to a more knee-friendly position like 1B.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

Originally Posted by KingJ

He will if the Giants move him to a more knee-friendly position like 1B.

I doubt they will do that and I doubt he would want to do that.

[Dravecky43]

Originally Posted by KingJ

He will if the Giants move him to a more knee-friendly position like 1B.

Yeah, that ain't gonna happen. There have been many questions asked by readers on the Giants' website to the writer there wondering if he will switch, and each time there is a big NO.

[BasEbaLlKnoItAll]

He prides himself too much on being an outfielder. Ive heard him refer to his "dream outfield" several times. Him in left, Willie in Center, his dad in right. He wont move.

[csh19792001]

Originally Posted by Brannu

He gets 2nd place this year ... then hobbles into retirement.

Let's hope so.

[Evangelion]

All he needs is 90 games or 200 at bats.

If he need 2 more home-runs, you know he would be average a home run every 4 at bat from what you're saying, correct?

Bonds is still a great player, as shocking as that may sound, but he prove he can still be a threat, if healthy, last season by playing the last few games and still be an offensive threat and hitting a few home runs to boot. Do I think he will do this year? Nope, but I do believe he will break Ruth's record, which I believe he really wanted to break badly. Do I believe he will do it at all? Depend on what happen this season to be honest. If he's happen to play with those injuries for a full season and hit a good amount of home runs, then I can see it happen.

At this point though, I'm a doubter he can do, because of his age and injuries. To be honest, I prefer he didn't break Hamming Hank's record.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

going on the premise of "one major milestone per year" theory, bonds is set to break ruth's record this season, and aaron's record next season.

What "record" does Ruth have? There was major hoopla when Bonds passed Mays. All these articles of Bonds passing Mays' record. But what record to Bonds pass? Mays does not have the all-time HR record. Mays does not have the all-time NL record. By passing Mays Bonds did NOT break the all-time Giants franchise HR record. When Bonds passed Mays he did not break the S.F Giants HR record. It's the same with Ruth. What HR "record" does Ruth have other than the most HRs by a lefty?

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I'm surprised that no one has brought up Bonds age. Bonds will be 42 years old in July. No 42-year old has ever come close to hit 35-40 HRs in a season. So why should we expect Bonds to just easily hit 35-40 HRs?

[Dravecky43]

Originally Posted by Honus Wagner Rules

I'm surprised that no one has brought up Bonds age. Bonds will be 42 years old in July. No 42-year old has ever come close to hit 35-40 HRs in a season. So why should we expect Bonds to just easily hit 35-40 HRs?

Because it's hard to imagine a guy doing what he has done the past few years (2005 excluded) dropping that far down in such a short time.