Barry Bonds tipped Alex Rodriguez to relieve him of Major League Baseball's home run record one day but A-Rod's New York Yankees teammates warned on Wednesday that it was too early to start planning the coronation.

 

 

New York Yankees' batter Alex Rodriguez steams towards the mound after being hit by a pitch by Toronto Blue Jays Josh Towers during the third inning of their American League baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday. Reuters

 

One day after Bonds launched his 756th career home run into the bleachers at AT&T Park to take possession of American sport's most treasured record, speculation began over who is the heir apparent to the controversial San Francisco Giants slugger.

 

Youngsters Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard have displayed impressive credentials but Rodriguez is considered the most likely to knock Bonds off his perch.

 

He has just become the youngest player in league history to hit 500 homers.

 

A Gold Glove fielder with devastating power at the plate, Rodriguez has slammed 35 or more home runs in 11 of the last 12 seasons, including a major league-leading 36 this campaign.

 

But if Rodriguez is to have any chance of chasing down Bonds he will have to maintain his pace over another decade, a test of his durability and desire.

 

As Yankees manager Joe Torre pointed out, not long ago it was Ken Griffey Jr. tipped as the player most likely to challenge Aaron's mark until his career was stalled by injury.

 

Calf injury

 

While Rodriguez has avoided serious injuries throughout his career, playing more than 150 games in each of his past six seasons, the 32-year-old all-star sat out Wednesday's 15-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays with a calf injury.

 

"A-Rod has to be lucky based on the fact he has to stay healthy," Yankees manager Joe Torre told reporters. "It wasn't too many years ago we were talking about Junior Griffey and where he was going to end up.

 

"I think the biggest question for me with Alex is he going to be able to stay as passionate for the game that long knowing the scrutiny he's under all the time.

 

"He would love to, in my mind, hit as many home runs as he can and play as long as he can because he has a lot of little boy in him right now.

 

"I'm just saying sometimes it's a lot to deal with and I don't know how much is too much."

 

Aside from the their home run skill, the surly Bonds and charismatic Rodriguez have little in common.

 

Dogged by allegations of steroid use, the home run crown sits awkwardly on Bonds's head, many calling for the record to come with an asterisk.

 

But if Rodriguez can keep hitting homers at his current rate Bonds's reign as home run king could be one of the shortest in major league history.

 

Just two players in the last 86 years, Aaron and Babe Ruth, had worn the home run crown until Bonds blasted his way into the club.

 

"You're talking about 250 home runs from now," cautioned Yankees captain Derek Jeter. "I don't think he's thinking about 750 homeruns right now.

 

"If he stays healthy I'm sure he'll have a crack at hitting 800 homeruns but it's not something you look to now.

 

"It's not an easy record. It's not every year a new person approaches 750 home runs, it's still a long way away."

 

(China Daily via Agencies August 10, 2007)