At that point no one had any idea that Bonds would not only be still going strong, but also hit an incredible 254 home runs in a five year period. Suddenly Bonds is a single home run away from reaching 700, and sometime next spring should surpass Babe Ruth for second on the all-time list.

Think about that for a second. At the risk of dating myself, let me tell you that when Hank Aaron was chasing down the Babe in 1973 it was literally the talk of America. There were documentaries and specials galore as Aaron closed in on the record that summer. The season ended with Aaron needing one home run to tie, and two to surpass Ruth.

The anticipation heading into the following season was incredible, and Aaron wasted no time hitting the record-tying home run on the first at-bat of the season in Cincinnati. The Braves then rested Aaron for the rest of the series, as NBC had a national telecast of the Braves home opener the following Monday night. That game was a huge event, complete with an American flag painted in the outfield.

In his second at-bat, it happened. I can still hear Curt Gowdy�s call, �It�s hit deep, deep, deep, deep, HE DID IT!!!!, HE DID IT!!!!! We then see Aaron rounding second base when a slightly scary moment occurs as two well-wishers run on the field and embrace him on the way to third base. I say slightly scary because in the year-long buildup to this moment Aaron had received a significant amount of hate mail from people who simply didn�t want to see a black man break the record. The letters would begin �Dear Boy�� before making threats on what may happen if the record was broken. It was still a different world in the South back then, in fact at the time it had only been a couple of years since African-Americans were allowed to participate in athletics in the Southeastern Conference. In the end those two fans meant absolutely no harm but security wouldn�t let anyone get past the warning track if the same scenario occurred today.

As of now, there doesn�t appear to be the same buzz about the Bonds Chase. Although one investor in Los Angeles thought enough of the possibility of home run #700 that he bought tickets FOR THE ENTIRE RIGHT FIELD PAVILION for when the Giants visit Dodger Stadium to close out the season. I�m sure the BALCO controversy and the fact that Barry is just an A-hole plays a lot into that. On the road, Bonds has had to endure jeering that even Aaron did not have to put up with. Nonetheless, we�re talking about someone who is 41 that pitchers are simply terrified to pitch to like no other batter in history � and Bonds still has 41 home runs.

In the final edition of the Blue Sheet for 2004, we take a look on how a fantasy Challenge Playoff team could be construed. There are still plenty of variables as far as who will exactly be in the playoffs, especially in the National League. Nonetheless we more or less know who five of the eight participants will be. The current contenders�

NY Yankees � For all the talk of their demise, the Yanks merely have to go 8-8 the rest of the way to finish with an even 100 wins on the season. Starting pitching figures to be their downfall however.

Boston � Funny how you haven�t heard the phrase �Cowboy Up� this year, I'm going to say that's good news. Has the offense and experience to go blow-by-blow with the Bombers, and has a definite advantage over the Yanks in the pitching department.

Minnesota � Although historic venues such as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field may get all the attention, it is a playoff trip to the Metrodome that opponents really dread, where the noise can reach NASCAR levels decibel wise. The Twins may get the respect of a Mountain West Conference champion, but unlike college football, there is a seat reserved in this dance. On the Twins side is simply the best pitcher in baseball (Johan Santana) along with one of the best relievers in Joe Nathan.

Oakland � Another venue opponents fear, just ask the Texas Ranger bullpen. However the A�s are not guaranteed a spot yet, holding a mere two game lead on Anaheim with six games against the Angels on the final two weekends.

Anaheim � Teams that have to fight their way into the playoffs usually fare well once they get there. The 2002 Angels are a good example. The Angels won a critical coin toss this week meaning they would hold a one-game playoff if tied with the A�s.

Atlanta � Cruising to yet another division title going 50-21 since the end of June. This years edition doesn�t focus on pitching as much as it does on offense.

St. Louis � Another team in which offense carries the day. Pitching is solid from 1 through 5 but kind of like recent Yankee teams no one stands out in particular. With a division title all but clinched will the Cards be able to flip the switch back on come October???

Los Angeles � Don�t look now, but LA suddenly has a great chance to miss the show altogether. Six games v. the Giants loom on the road, and the Wild Card prospects don�t look that great should they lose their current 2 � game Division lead. Any divisional tie-break with the Giants will be held in San Fran.

San Francisco � I said the Giants needed to go 5-1 on their road swing through Arizona and Milwaukee, and that�s exactly what they did, the only loss coming at the expense of Randy Johnson. Well done.

Cubs � Thirteen of their final eighteen contests will be against non-contenders, a nice schedule their. The final series of the season will be in Atlanta which could be interesting. The Cubs figure to be a very dangerous team if they get in the playoffs, and the Braves may use that series to try to get them eliminated.

Houston � Still has the most momentum of the Wild Card contenders, but winning two out of three in San Fran next week is a must if the Stros truly have a chance. A sweep would really be better.

San Diego � Lost R.O.Y candidate Khahil Greene to a busted digit this week, which could be the final dagger through the heart of the Padres season, although MLB did help them out a little by acquiring Alex Gonzalez from the Expos.

Florida � Still in the mix, and the Marlins got some real love during a two-game stay at Chicago�s Comiskey park earlier in the week. A doubleheader sweep over the Cubs this coming Monday is an absolute must.

Now it�s time to identify the best bets for playoff rosters. For purposes of this I will assume that the Yanks, Boston, Minnesota, Oakland, Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisco, and the Cubs will be the playoff teams.

CATCHER � Several possibilities here, but the best power comes from Jorge Posada (.264/18/67) and Jason Varitek (.304/17/67). A.J Pierzynski (.283/11/75) should figure into the equation should the Giants get in. The Braves Johnny Estrada is hitting .315 but lacks a little in the power department.

FIRST BASE � Jason Giambi returned to the Yankee lineup this week but has gone 0-7 thus far. Stay away until further notice. Boston�s David Ortiz is a must, with the MVP candidate certain to finish with a .300 average, 40 HR�s, and over 130 RBI. The best sleeper could be Minnesota�s Justin Morneau, who has 15 HR and 49 RBI since the All-Star break. Erubiel Durazo (.320/22/83) should be a solid player who really won�t hurt in the average category, same holds true with the Cubs Derrek Lee (.292/30/91).

SECOND BASE � Second is as weak as first base is strong � stolen bases should be a focus here. St. Louis Tony Womack could fill the bill with 23 and has a good chance at playing through the World Series. Florida�s Luis Castillo has really slacked off this year and only has 17. Jeff Kent (.289/22/98) is a must should Houston sneak in. San Diego�s Mark Loretta is hitting .341, but is being bother by a lingering finger injury. San Francisco�s Ray Durham has historically been known as a steals guy but has 14 HR�s on the year. The Cubs Todd Walker only has 332 AB�s, but 13 HR�s. The Braves Brian Giles could be a popular pick but his stats have really fallen off since returning from injury (.272/3/21/6 steals in 57 games).

THIRD BASE � Scott Rolen has fallen off from his MVP first-half numbers, but .287/15/41 in 51 second-half games is not bad. Only negative is that a bum knee has curtailed Rolen from stealing this year. Adrian Beltre (.320/107/45/107) goes without saying, but Aramis Ramirez (.315/33/97) is a great substitution if the Cubs overtake the Dodgers for the Wild Card. Oakland�s Eric Chavez (28 HR�s in 110 games) figures as the American League�s best option. Florida�s Mike Lowell (.294/25/80) and Anaheim�s Troy Glaus are also in the mix if their teams get in.

SHORTSTOP � Alex Rodriguez had an off-year power-wise, but his 25 steals make up for that. Nomar Garciaparra offers name recognition but I would rather go with St. Louis� Edgar Renteria even though his homer/steal totals have fallen dramatically, I think he will come through in the playoffs however. Atlanta�s Rafael Furcal brings speed on the basepaths (24 steals) and on the freeways (88 in a 55). Oakland�s Bobby Crosby has 20 homers on the year, but batting average is an issue.

OUTFIELD � The Yanks Gary Sheffield (.298/34/113) and Hideki Matsui (.297/26/99) are good options, but have the specter of potentially facing Johan Santana twice in the first round. Definitely go with Manny Ramirez (.314/41/118) before those two. Chipper and Andruw Jones are decent prospects, but J.D Drew (.312/107/30/88/11) is the best bet from the Atlanta outfield this year. St. Louis� Jim Edmonds (.317/99/42/109) and Albert Pujols (.330/122/44/111) are also musts. Larry Walker (.304/8/22 in 28 St. Louis games) is not bad neither but will be pulled in the late innings of some games. The frequent walks frustrate fantasy players even more than Barry Bonds, but that shouldn�t stop you from having him in your lineup. Out of the longshots, you must have Carlos Beltran (17 homers, 21 steals in 59 post All-Star games) should the Astros sneak in. Otherwise go with Corey Patterson, who�s suddenly the hottest thing going with 13 HR/21 steals in his last 54 games. Also, contrary to other reports, Sammy Sosa still has power (32 HR in 109 games. Among other teams still with a chance, Florida�s Miguel Cabrera would also be a consideration and Anaheim�s Chone Figgins is an idea if you�re into steals. Garrett Anderson hits over .300, but the power has really fallen off this year. Johnny Damon becomes a good intangible player come late in the playoffs.

STARTING PITCHERS � Cy Johan goes without saying and is an absolute must. Also Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling (20th win this week) are the least likely to let you down. Statistically, Tim Hudson has been the A�s best pitcher this year but his strikeouts are way down, while Barry Zito and Mark Mulder both sport ERA�s over four. The Cubs are an equally tricky proposition, Carlos Zambrano (13-8, 2.80) is the safest bet there. Amazingly, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood have combined for only 13 wins all year. Prior also sports a lofty 4.87 ERA and 1.53 WHIP but could get hot at any time, he is a roll of the dice. St. Louis� staff is also tricky, but the likes of Woody Williams, Matt Morris, and Chris Carpenter should come in handy for the LCS and World Series rounds. San Francisco�s Jason Schmidt has been shaky at times in the second half but you can�t ignore 10+ strikeouts per nine innings. If you want saves from a starters position there is also the Giants� Dustin Hermanson (13 saves since 8/8).

Note 1: For seemingly the 58th time a Yankees/D-Rays game has been rescheduled, this time for September 23rd while a Blue Jays/Yankees game has been moved from that date to this coming Monday.