Dear editor,

As Barry Bonds strives to break baseball's career home run record and we debate whether or not he really deserves that record without at least a large asterisk, we should take time to pay tribute to the truly great baseball player -- and person -- whose record he is about to break. With the exception of runs, home runs and slugging percentage, Hank Aaron's overall career performance far surpassed Barry Bonds'. Hank Aaron finished in the top four all-time in virtually every significant hitting category, and his RBI and total bases records may never be broken. He also won at least three Golden Glove awards. And by all accounts, he was quiet, humble, appreciative -- characteristics rarely found in famous athletes today. He played baseball because he loved baseball -- and it showed. Growing up in the Midwest, I had the privilege of seeing him play.

So when Barry Bonds finally breaks one of Hank Aaron's many records and the fireworks go off -- and the debate goes on -- let us take a moment to remember Hank Aaron, who became arguably the greatest player in baseball history with grace and humility.

James Verhey

Napa