Unlike other sports, baseball is a game where numbers mean much more than simple statistics: 42, 755, 61, 7 and others have embedded themselves into fans minds, each evoking a face, place, and story. But none are as revered as the number 714. 714, as most every fan knows, is the career home run total of Babe Ruth. And even though Hank Aaron had broken the record and set his own with 755, Ruth’s 714 is still thought of as a plateau reserved for only the greatest. And that is why this home run ball, hit by Barry Bonds on May 28, 2006, is so historic: it is the home run that moved Bonds beyond Ruth’s 714. This is Barry Bonds’ 715 home run ball.

Barry Bonds was in the midst of his quest to become the all-time leader in home runs when he reached the first major milestone on May 20, 2006. On that day, Bonds hit career home run number 714 off A’s pitcher Brad Halsey to tie Babe Ruth’s record. Now the baseball world anxiously waited to see when he would hit number 715 to make him second on the all-time home run list.

That day would come on May 28, 2006, at AT&T Park against the Colorado Rockies. Almost 43,000 fans showed up hoping to see history made. Byung-Hyun Kim started for the Rockies, and he issued a first inning walk to Bonds, much to the displeasure of the standing-room only crowd. The Rockies took an early lead to make it 6-0. Then, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Bonds came up with a runner on first and no outs. Bonds worked the count full, then feasted on Kim’s 90 mph fastball, sending it 445 feet into the center field stands.

While Bonds circled the bases and orange, gold and black streamers rained down from the upper deck, the home run ball glanced off several eager fans' hands before it fell out of reach onto the roof of a concession stand. The ball sat there unreachable for several agonizing minutes before it began to roll towards the edge of the roof. Meanwhile, Andrew Morbitzer, who missed the historic moment because he was waiting in line for a couple of beers and a pretzel, suddenly found himself part of the action when the ball rolled off the edge of the concession stand and into his own hands.

The Rawlings Official Major League ball shows great game use, with overall toning and scuff marks from Bonds’ record-breaking hit. The ball has been stamped with “108” and “B” in black ink and a numbered MLB hologram (BB046519) has been affixed. The ball is accompanied by a ticket from the game autographed in black marker by Barry Bonds. This piece of baseball history has been certified by Major League Baseball Authentication.