![](\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/EVERGREEN/SPAT/hdr624_NextKing.jpg\")
";
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king.sTitle = "Future Home Run King";
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king.rowSpacer = "Back in 1999, when Hank Aaron was being honored on the 25th anniversary of his record-setting 715th home run, he was asked about the chances of someone breaking his career record of 755.
“Ken Griffey Jr. If anyone has an outside chance, he’d probably be the one, simply because he’s so young,” Aaron said of the then 29-year-old Griffey. “The only thing that would probably stand in his way would be if he got injured.”
Oh Henry, how right you were! Griffey had 350 home runs entering the 1999 season. He hit 48 more that year, then got himself traded to Cincinnati, where he hit 40 in 2000 and seemed well on his way towards 700 and beyond. Then, those dreaded injuries struck and Griffey never challenged Aaron’s record.
Meanwhile Barry Bonds, who was 34 years old with 411 home runs entering the 1999 season, turned into baseball’s greatest home run hitter and now holds the sport’s most hallowed record. But for how long?
MSNBC.com looks at five candidates who could challenge Bonds some day and four others worth noting. All projections, of course, are predicated on good health!"; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Albert Pujols","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "bg", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060513/060513_pujols_vmed_7p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Peter Newcomb", "Reuters", "358", "277", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Albert Pujols
St. Louis Cardinals
Where he is: The Cardinals’ slugger has begun his career like no hitter in baseball history. He began the 2007 season with 250 home runs in six seasons and at age 27 is entering his prime as the game’s best all-around hitter. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Pujols’ average for a 162-game season is 43 home runs.
What he needs to do: If King Albert can continue to average 40-plus homers a season, he’ll join the exclusive 700 club at around 38 years old. Given the fitness and nutritional advantages today’s players enjoy, these are not unreasonable projections.
What are his chances: Excellent. His age is the single factor that gives Pujols the overall edge over Alex Rodriguez."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Alex Rodriguez","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070407/070404_arod_vmed_2p.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Ray Stubblebine", "Reuters", "358", "276", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees
Where he is: His awesome April (14 home runs) gave him 478 career home runs before his 32nd birthday. Even though Yankee Stadium isn’t particularly friendly to right-handed hitters, A-Rod has kept up his 44-homer-per-season pace.
What he needs to do: Five more years at that pace and Rodriguez will be in the 700 club at around age 37. If he leaves the Yankees for a more homer-friendly home stadium after this season – a reasonable assumption – his numbers might improve.
What are his chances: Excellent."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Andruw Jones","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050828/050828_andruw_jones_vmed.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Allen Fredrickson", "Reuters", "358", "260", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Andruw Jones
Atlanta Braves
Where he is: The Braves’ exquisite center fielder entered 2007 with 342 home runs and just turned 30 in April. Jones is a free agent after this season and while Atlanta is a pretty hitter-friendly park, imagine what he could do in, say, Fenway Park?
What he needs to do: His career seasonal average is 34 homers, which means he’ll need 10 years at that pace to get close to 700.
What are his chances: The 600 Club is most likely.";
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Miguel Cabrera","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","","
","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070217/070217_cabrera_vmed.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "358", "277", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Miguel Cabrera
Florida Marlins
Where he is: So young and so talented. He entered the 2007 season with 104 home runs and is only 24. Because the Marlins are always cash-strapped, it isn’t likely he’ll be playing at that spacious football stadium forever. Already there are rumors that the Yankees might pursue him if Rodriguez opts out of his contract.
What he needs to do: Stay healthy and stay motivated. Already those are issues as Cabrera is not the lithe player he was at the start of his career. His season average of 30 home runs could improve.
What are his chances: The 500 club is a possibility."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Vladimir Guerrero","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050814/050814_guerrero_vmed.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "John Froschauer", "AP", "358", "237", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Vladimir Guerrero
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Where he is: The Angels’ right fielder began this season with 338 home runs and at 31 years old, is still producing the big numbers, exceeding 30 homers in each of his first three seasons with the Angels. The fear that the Mets, among others, had about his back during Guerrero’s free agency seem mostly unfounded.
What he needs to do: Of course, being such a big man and such an all-out player, the injury factor will loom large as Guerrero ages. If he continues his impressive seasonal average of 38, Guerrero would have to play into his early 40s to approach 700.
What are his chances: We think he’ll slow down before he reaches 600."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Honorable mention curiosities","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","David Ortiz","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060916/060916_david_ortiz_vmed_3p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Frank Franklin Ii", "AP", "231", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "David Ortiz
Boston Red Sox
Whatever it was about Boston that transformed Big Papi, at 31 and with 231 homers entering this season, you’ve got to watch him."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Manny Ramirez","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070503/070503_redSox_vmed_8p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Brian Snyder", "Reuters", "253", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Manny Ramirez
Boston Red Sox
An amazing hitting machine who averages 42 homers and had 470 entering the season. But he’s 35. He’ll hit 600-plus."; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Adam Dunn","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060908/060908_reds_pirates_vmed8p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Tom Uhlman", "AP", "212", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Adam Dunn
Cincinnati Reds
He’s only 27 and already has more than 200 homers. Can he keep averaging 40? If so, 600 is a reasonable target.
";
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","Ryan Howard","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060903/060903_howard_vmed_2p.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Rusty Kennedy", "AP", "264", "198", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i-1].body = "Ryan Howard
Philadelphia Phillies
He’s the same age as Dunn, but took longer to arrive. But after last season’s whopping 58 home runs and the ridiculous dimensions of Citizens Bank Park, who knows?"; spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("","VOTE","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); spt_Bonds_next_homerun_king[i++] = new Array("spt_bonds_next_homer_king","Pick next king","","","","", "lv2", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", ""); // END editorial data