Today in Performance Sneaker History: Barry Bonds Suprasses Hank Aaron's HR Record in Fila Cleats

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Complex Original

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For nearly three decades, Hank Aaron's career total of 755 home runs stood as the most in baseball history. In fact, until September 2004, Aaron and Babe Ruth were the only players who had surpassed the 700 homer mark. Eventually, one of the most controversial sluggers in recent history was able to not only join the elite 700 HR club, but breeze by both men on his way to becoming the all-time leader in career home runs.

On August 7, 2007, the San Francisco Giants hosted the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park. Just days earlier, Barry Bands had tied Hank Aaron's mark of 755 homers, and now all eyes were on the Giants left fielder. And then it happened. At approximately 8:51PM PDT, Bonds blasted a 435-footer off of Washington's Mike Bacsik, bringing his total at the time to 756 home runs.

The record-breaking home run ball was auctioned off to Mark Ecko, who subsequently set up a website, allowing the public to determine the ball's fate. After eclipsing 10 million votes, Ecko marked the historic ball with an asterisk and donated it to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds spent the early days of his career donning the Nike Swoosh, but eventually landed an endorsement deal with Italian brand Fila. Among the endorsed models were the off-field Fila Bonds XT, a cross trainer which released in 2003. In 2007, for his legendary yet controversial 756th home run, Bonds wore a Giant-appropriate Fila model in black, orange, and white.

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