By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. "I'm human and it hurts", said Barry Bonds in response to the constant uproar of steroid and perjury allegations, but exactly what is "It". Is "IT" the truth? And if so, then what is the truth? The truth is the All-Time home run list currently reads 1. Hank Aaron 2. Barry Bonds 3. Babe Ruth. Three sluggers from three different eras. Ruth set the record that would stand for 30+ years. As a result, the baseball world was well aware as to who the "greatest" slugger of all-time was, in Ruth, or was he? Ruth known for his off field antics of swallowing hot dogs, tossing back beers, and having fun with various women night in and night out was his "IT". This is what made him human. Then came Hank Aaron. Aaron played in an era when blacks were not yet accepted in the sports world, or were they? By being allowed to play the game that he loved, one may consider that an acceptance by white America, or a sense of equality. However, as Aaron approached the infamous Ruth home run mark of 714, so came the death threats, and racial slurs, with hopes of preventing Hank of eclipsing "IT". He would eventually shatter "IT", setting a mark of 755. Currently, the world of baseball is in the midst of witnessing, Barry Bonds experience "IT". Sunday he officially surpassed Ruth's mark of 714, but what's the big deal, if Aaron set "IT"? Oh, did I fail to mention that Bonds era is considered the "steroid" era? Its been said that most of the modern day ball players use(d) steroids, or performance enhancers to gain an advantage. With a MLB season being 162 games not counting spring training, and postseason play, I can understand how athletes would seek an enhancement to their strength and endurance to perform consistently. So who's to blame for the evolution of the game? Fans dig the long ball, and the media loves the pursuit of records. But as Bonds pursues Aaron, we the fans and media continue to consider Bonds the "Poster Child" of the steroids era. Did I fail to mention that he has never tested positive for steroid use. But for the course of 21 years he has displayed the ultimate skill of hand-eye coordination. Most guys his age give up and walk away but he continues to perform despite injuries to his knees, and elbow. Some say Bonds' "IT" would be steroids, whereas I myself feel that "IT" is desire not decision, and will not skill that allows Bonds to continue his pursuit of Aaron's home run mark of 755. In finding what "IT" is we must all first locate "IT" within ourselves. Ruth set a mark that Aaron crushed and Bonds recently surpassed. And regardless of their perspective eras, they are the only three players that have slugged over 700 home runs in their careers. They were raised differently, they played differently, and most importantly they are viewed differently. But one thing's for sure the home run list will now read 1. Hank Aaron-755 2. Barry Bonds- 715 3. Babe Ruth- 714, and depending on what era you're from or for and how you view the list, the numbers tell the truth, and to many "IT" hurts.