It wasn't a cheapie, that's for sure. Bonds hit #600 to dead center and joined one of the most elite clubs in sports joining Hank Aaron (755) Babe Ruth (715) and his godfather Willie Mays (660) in baseball history. What's really amazing about it is that Bonds, in his 17th season, started his career by failing to hit even 30 home runs during 5 of his 6 first seasons and for a long time wasn't even considered a home run type hitter. In his first 4 seasons he hit just 84 home runs, barely short of his record 73 ding season of a year ago.

This will probably be just his 5th season with 40 homers, the others (save the record) were 40, 42 and 46, which is a testament to his consistency and endurance. His health has been a major reason for his success, having played in 140 or more games in all but 2 seasons following his 113 game rookie campaign. One can only wonder what he would have done if he hadn't been walked 406 times over the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons.

The performance enhancement drug questions will probably haunt him somewhat, but as many have pointed out, you have to make contact and last I checked hitting a 95 mile per hour fastball wasn't easy. If it was, every WWE member would be playing first base. Hats off to Barry for sticking by his team unlike that traitor McGwire who didn't want to be around for the short rebuilding period. I'm not an A's fan or anything ....