Bonds steps up to the plate.
Crowd electric. Cheering. Booing.
Flash bulbs expoding.
Everyone on their feet.
In his previous at bat he went yard.
Number 754.
His next home run will tie Hank Aaron.
For all time.
TV cameras cut away to Willie, Selig...
Tension rises as Bonds adjusts his arm gear.
He steps into the batter's box.
Takes a deep breath.
Settles in.
Then...
He calls time out.
Murmur in the crowd as he...
Raises the barrel of his bat to his lips.
Kisses it.
Lays the bat down across home plate.
Steps out of the box.
Waves to the crowd.
And strides off the field.
For the last time in his career.
Retires. Right there.
754 to his name.
A hero.