"What was stunning, as fireworks exploded by the bay and police hustled an unruly fan off the field, was the sight of Aaron instantly popping up on the video board in AT&T Park. After Bonds hit the homer at 8:51 p.m. Pacific time, after he rounded the bases without particular emotion, after he crossed home plate and pointed to the sky at his late father, after he hugged son Nikolai and godfather/legend Willie Mays, he peered out to center field to see Aaron greeting him with a taped message. Until now, he has refused to discuss Bonds and wanted no part of being on site for the home run that eclipsed him. But in the bitter end, there was Hammerin' Hank, still outclassing his tainted successor.
"I would like to offer my congratulations to Barry Bonds on becoming baseball's career home run leader," Aaron said. "It is a great accomplishment that requires skill, longevity and determination ... I move over now and offer my best wishes to Barry and his family."