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Posted at 2:43 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, 2007

MLB: Bonds will donate artifact to Hall from 756th HR

By Janie McCauley
Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds agreed today to provide the Hall of Fame with an artifact when he breaks Hank Aaron's record with his 756th home run.

Bonds met with Hall of Fame vice president Jeff Idelson for about 40 minutes to discuss what the San Francisco slugger might donate to Cooperstown. This came after earlier comments by Bonds that made it unclear if he would donate anything, with him saying, "I'm not worried about the Hall. I take care of me."

Idelson traveled to San Francisco today primarily to meet with Bonds — and the news he received from the seven-time NL MVP made the cross-country trek worthwhile.

"As I've said all along, he has a history of being generous to the Hall of Fame, dating back to a bat from his rookie season," Idelson told The Associated Press.

"It was meaningful to have a face-to-face meeting. He assured me that if and when he hit 756, he will donate an artifact to the Hall of Fame, which in turn means he will share that milestone with the American public."

Asked by the AP whether it was a positive conversation, Bonds nodded his head yes.

"Yeah, we talked," Bonds said with a smile. "No comment from me at this time. He'll tell you. I let them do all the talking. I've never been one to do all the talking. I do it with this bat."

Around 35,000 artifacts are shown and stored in the Hall of Fame, and about a dozen are connected to Bonds.

There is a bat from his rookie year and cleats from him becoming the first player in the 400-homer/400-steal club. Unsolicited, he sent the bat and ball from his 2,000th hit. A batting practice bat from the 2002 World Series was the last thing Bonds donated.