Call it ironic, odd, perfect timing, or just karma. What ever you choose to to call it, two majour events occurred on the same day.

As Barry Bonds was probably enjoying a cup of coffee in a San Diego hotel, Alex Rodriguez hit his 500th homerun off of Kyle Davies of the Kansas City Royals. Knowing Bonds, his mission was to avoid Rodriguez’s celebration by not tying the record, however, he did hit 755 off of Clay Hensley later that night. I’m sure Bonds had to be somewhat relieved, however, you know he wanted the day to himself, especially after Commissioner Bud Selig avoided any media contact regarding the event in San Diego.

So there it was, Bonds tying Aaron’s record and Rodriguez cementing his lore in baseball’s history with number 500. With Rodriguez’s accomplishment, something more appealing and important happened besides an individual achievement. As it turns out, he’s now baseball’s new torch-bearer.

As baseball struggles to shred the cloud of suspicion regarding steroids and performance-enhancing supplements, things have gotten somewhat worse with Bonds on the edge of breaking professional sports most prized award. Selig has been on his own island regarding the issue of Bonds and steroids, always being cautious of what to say and how to say it. In essence, its been him against the world, especially with current players remaining for the most part silent. Still, many fans really wonder if Roger Maris’ record of 61 home runs was really ever fairly broken.

While it might be only his 500th homerun, 255 less than Bonds, Rodriguez is paving his way as baseball’s living endorsement. He’s still somewhat young, media/market savvy and one of the most talented players in the league. He’s endured enormous pressure in his career while still maintaining league leading numbers. Rodriguez has never been associated with baseball’s drug scandal, although his massive contracts have surrounded him with the words greed and excessive. He went to New York and moved to third base to avoid any controversies with Derek Jeter. Still, he suffered constant backlash from Yankee fans and was speculated about being moved in a trade at one time. He quickly came into this year with a new attitude and already has 36 home runs, one more than he had all of last year. In 12 full seasons, Rodriguez has averaged 44 home runs a year.

As of now, its calculated that Rodriguez will hit Aaron’s mark in eight years. By that time, its a good bet Barry Bonds name will only be printed with an asterik and Bud Selig will be golfing somewhere in retirement. True, Rodriguez will be 40, however, barring any majour injuries, he should have no problem breaking Bonds’ new record. That’s if the “guy who will never go away” doesn’t stay around for another year or so.

Until Bonds is ever officially proven guilty, he’ll be the outright home run king. With an asterik. To Bonds, an asterik may just be a symbol, but its a defining one that he’ll have to live with the rest of his life.

I’m not a huge fan of Alex Rodriguez, but in 8 years or so when he breaks the all-time home run record, it will be just the event that re-establishes the meaning of Aaron’s accomplishment and fades Bonds away.

I’ll always remember the day that Bonds broke Aaron’s record, but I’ll never herald him as the all-time home run king. There’s a new hope for baseball and his name is Alex Rodriguez.

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