The spring of 2006 saw Barry Bonds chasing the most revered record in sports: baseball's career home run king. For decades Babe Ruth sat on the throne with 714. Hank Aaron finally surpassed the Bambino in 1974, and finished at an astounding 755 career dingers. Nobody thought Ruth or Aaron’s totals could be caught – that is until Barry Lamar Bonds came along. The Bay Area native, Godson of Willie Mays (660 HR), was steadily moving up the ranks until a major power surge in his late 30's saw him closing in on his Godfather and the two other 700-Club immortals.

On May 7, 2006, Bonds was two homers away from tying Ruth. In the top of the 6th inning, the San Francisco Giants slugger came to bat against Phillies starter Jon Lieber. With the bases empty and two outs, Bonds worked Lieber to a 2-1 count before launching one deep into the Philadelphia night and into the right field bleachers. The blast was number 713 for Bonds and leaving him just one shy of the Babe’s 714. This is the ball Bonds hit that night for number 713! The Rawlings Official Major League (Selig) baseball shows great game use with a distinctive scuff mark from Bonds’ 713 career blast. An MLB representative was at Citizens Bank Park in Philly that evening to properly authenticate the ball. An MLB Authentication hologram sticker (BB 027954) has been affixed just above the Rawlings logo. A tremendous piece of baseball history representing the pursuit of sport’s greatest pursuit.