During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Barry Bonds was earning a lot of media spotlight. This was due to his immense play that seemed to transcend age. In fact, he was getting better as he got older. 2001 was a special year for the San Francisco Giants legend. He was chasing history and hoping to further etch his name into the history books. However, a tragic incident stole the spotlight. 

At the time, Bonds had hit 63 home runs and was chasing an all-time record in a single season. But as fate would have it, there were different events that had to take center stage at the time. This pushed him out of the limelight as disaster struck 22 years ago. 

Barry Bonds’ Historic Chase Lost the Spotlight to Tragic 9/11 Attacks

It was September 11th and Barry Bonds was chasing home run number 64 in a quest to beat Mark McGwire’s record of 70 in a single season. The fanfare surrounding the feat put Bonds in the spotlight as he got closer. But on that fateful day, the September 11 attacks happened as the Twin Towers and the World Trade Center were destroyed. In the book ‘Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero’, sports author Jeff Pearlman narrates how the focus shifts from Bonds to the devastating attacks. 

On page 237 of the book, Pearlman wrote, “Bonds was woken up by a ringing telephone. ‘Turn on CNN.’ A first plane had hit the World Trade Center. A second plane had hit the World Trade Center. Home run chase? What home run chase? That evening, thousands of fans were prepared to file into Houston’s Enron Field to watch  Bonds try to hit home run number 64. Instead, they stayed inside and faced the horror.” 

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This came shortly after Bonds had received a scary death threat while on the trip to Houston. It had been an extremely traumatic and emotionally draining period for Bonds and the American people. But only days later, he continued his iconic chase. 

Bonds Pledged $10,000 for Every Home Run He Hit After the Attack

Barry Bonds pledged a donation of $10,000 to the United Way’s 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund for every home run he hit after play resumed. Jeff Pearlman mentioned this fact on page 238 of the book. He also shared that although it was a massive gesture, many believed that it was a PR stunt. But irrespective of that, Bonds returned to the spotlight on the 18th of September due to his kind and generous act. He would go on to break the record later that year and cement his place in history. 

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Bur Barry Bonds surrendered his spotlight as a disaster that is remembered today struck the United States of America. What do you think of the incident from 22 years ago?