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‘It’s Hard for Me to Digest [but]…’- Former MLB ‘Home Run King’ Once Proclaimed Why Barry Bonds Is a Worthy Hall of Famer Despite Steroid Use

Published 08/01/2022, 9:45 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Hank Aaron, also known as “Hammerin’ Hank,” once shared his thoughts about if the Home Run King, Barry Bonds should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Aaron, in 1974, battled through death threats and public scrutiny to shatter Babe Ruth’s long-time career home run record. Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron are two names that need no recognition in terms of who they are and what they did. This is because they have written history with their hands, and every baseball fan knows about them.

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Barry Bonds should be a Hall of Famer

In 2007, Barry Bonds broke the record of the “Hammerin’ Hank” of having the most home runs in his career. Then, he became the next and today’s Home Run King. However, his win was controversial, as it was said that he took steroids, which eventually helped him to break the record. 

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The former outfielder of the Milwaukee Braves has said it before and has said once again on Today’s Show that Barry Bonds should make it into the Hall of Fame despite him having admitted to taking steroids.

When Craig asked him, “You’ve said in the past that despite he has admitted to cheating, you still consider him the Home Run King.” To this, Aaron replied, “Yes,… I knew Barry’s father very well, and I got to know Barry a little bit. It’s kind of hard for me to digest and come to realize that Barry cheated in the home runs, cheated with this and that.”

On getting asked if he thinks other players who admitted to cheating should also be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he replied“Yes,… We’ve had so many cheaters that have made the Hall of Fame, and I don’t see any reason why Barry or any of the rest of them shouldn’t make it.”

The baseball icon not only broke records but also broke the racial barriers throughout his career. He was a legend, and he will always remain a legend. When the 1976 season ended, the “Hamerin’ Hank” had his jersey number 44 retired. 

Hammerin’ Hank broke many records

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The Hall of Famer was set to break Babe Ruth’s record of most homers, i.e. 714 in 1969. His chances were breaking the record high. If anyone was able to break the legendary Babe Ruth’s record, it was Hank.

And not only did Hank break Ruth’s record, but he also set a new one, with – 755 home runs. Henceforth, he became the Home Run King.

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Watch this story: Barry Bond’s all-time great feat

Since records are meant to be broken, Barry Bonds broke Atlantica’s icon’s record. Even though it was controversial, he still holds the record for most homers-762 in MLB history.

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Written by:

Rakshita Madan

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Rakshita Madan is an MLB author at EssentiallySports. She is an engineering graduate and is currently pursuing her MBA from NMIMS, Mumbai. Rakshita has experience in writing for more than four years now, with one of her writings even getting published in an anthology.
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Edited by:

Simar Singh Wadhwa