Bonds to give Hall of Fame an artifact

[Capper]

SAN FRANCISCO - Barry Bonds agreed Tuesday to provide the Hall of Fame with an artifact when he breaks Hank Aaron's record with his 756th home run. Bonds met with Hall of Fame vice president Jeff Idelson for about 40 minutes to discuss what the San Francisco slugger might donate to Cooperstown.

This came after earlier comments by Bonds that made it unclear if he would donate anything, with him saying, "I'm not worried about the Hall. I take care of me."

Idelson traveled to San Francisco on Tuesday primarily to meet with Bonds — and the news he received from the seven-time NL MVP made the cross-country trek worthwhile.

"As I've said all along, he has a history of being generous to the Hall of Fame, dating back to a bat from his rookie season," Idelson told The Associated Press.

"It was meaningful to have a face-to-face meeting. He assured me that if and when he hit 756, he will donate an artifact to the Hall of Fame, which in turn means he will share that milestone with the American public."

Asked by the AP whether it was a positive conversation, Bonds shook his head yes.

"Yeah, we talked," Bonds said with a smile. "No comment from me at this time. He'll tell you. I let them do all the talking. I've never been one to do all the talking. I do it with this bat."

Around 35,000 artifacts are shown and stored in the Hall of Fame, and about a dozen are connected to Bonds.

There is a bat from his rookie year and cleats from him becoming the first player in the 400-homer/400-steal club. Unsolicited, he sent the bat and ball from his 2,000th hit. A batting practice bat from the 2002 World Series was the last thing Bonds donated.

Bonds to give Hall of Fame an artifact - Yahoo! News

Is anyone else really bugged by this asshole not realizing he is PART of the game and not BIGGER than the game? He should show a little humility for being given the chance to play a sport for a living, making millions by using illegal performance enhancing drugs, and living a dream.......but instead, his "me me me" attitude has made him sort of a villain......and he can't seem to grasp why so many people absolutely despise him.

I don't like to wish bad on anyone, but I wouldn't be sad to see him get ear-holed or suffer some career ending injury before he breaks the record.

[Jokerswild]

He should give the Hall of Fame one of the needles He's used to attain the record.

[gvblake22]

I agree with you Rich. I won't follow baseball (or any sports for that matter), but I feel like every time I read something about Bonds, he is always quoted as being pretty self-centered like you mentioned. I only hope he breaks the record because I have this random Barry Bonds baseball card worth like $50 I got out of one of like three packs of baseball cards I ever bought.

[onebxr]

Bonds is my hero. Who else gets caught cheating then gets a raise? Baseball is truly America's past time.
-1

[Capper]

Yeah, it goes back to my problem with the American culture....greed, win at any cost, and we're better than everyone else.

[WhiteEagle]

I hope he fails to break or tie the record. He still has 6 runs to hit before he ties it, and the season ends when