• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, March 5, 2007

“Bond swings. It’s a high fly to deep right-center field. It’s going. It’s going. It is indeed gone.”

That could be the call -- and the metaphor -- when Barry Bonds, as pretty much expected, hits his 22^nd home run this season, breaking Hank Aaron’s 755 home run record, perhaps the most revered in all of sports.

Better still, how will advertisers look to join the party -- especially as Bond continues to face serious questions of steroids, perjury and fans’ reactions, which seemingly range from indifference to resentment.

Daily Variety says it goes much deeper, noting that GQ magazine calls Bonds the second-most-hated athlete, just behind Terrell Owens.

The big question for ESPN or Fox is how much regalia and honor should their respective broadcasts be dressed in, if and when Bonds lifts that record-breaking home run -- and how, if at all, will it be monetized?

Taking their cue from the commissioner of baseball is of no help:  Bud Selig hasn't even decided whether to attend a potential record-breaking game.

But that would be great inside drama in itself. Perhaps Selig will be out for a game of golf, or having dinner with his wife in a restaurant.  Word will then come his way that the record has been broken, and then a gut reaction: “Really? Pass the pesto.”

Whatever ESPN or Fox commercials running during the big event should be careful with unexpected double entendres. No GNC ads touting supplements to make one big and strong; maybe just one or two for Advil or Aleve.  There’ll be headaches, all around, for sure.

During the last big baseball event, when Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were chasing Roger Maris’ single-season home run record, national TV advertisers looked to raise their awareness around specific games.

Will TV advertisers look to go for a home-run ball with Bonds --- or will they just keep their bats on their respective shoulders?