Leading Off

[This article consist of photographs--see below]

COLOR PHOTO

Photograph by Jim Gensheimer/AP

Mr. Majestic

By now the tableau is classic Americana, like a sky streaked by fireworks on the Fourth. Barry Bonds swings, and the rest of us are transfixed by the graceful arc of another baseball solidly struck. Bonds was right at home in San Francisco when he hit number 700 off San Diego Padres righthander Jake Peavy last Friday night, just as he was for home run number 73 in 2001 and career homers 500, 600 and 661 (which moved him past Willie Mays). Babe Ruth established the 700 Club in 1934, the year its next member, Hank Aaron, was born. After joining them, Bonds added number 701 on Saturday, leaving him 13 homers short of the Babe and 54 shy of Hammerin' Hank. At the top of his game at 40, with another batting title in his pocket (.372 at week's end), a record on-base percentage (.610) and more home runs (43) than strikeouts (36), Bonds has left no doubt that more monumental seasons are in his future.

COLOR PHOTO

ROBERT B. STANTON/WIREIMAGE.COM

 [See caption above]

COLOR PHOTO

Photograph by Robert Beck

Ryding High

Colin Montgomerie wielded a big stick for the Europeans in their 181/2--91/2 drubbing of the U.S. in the Ryder Cup. The blowout left U.S. captain Hal Sutton (far left, with Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods) in shock while his counterpart, Bernhard Langer, was joyfully pounding Ian Poulter into the Oakland Hills turf.

COLOR PHOTO

JEFF KOWALSKY/EPA

 [See caption above]

COLOR PHOTO

JEFF J. MITCHELL/REUTERS

 [See caption above]

COLOR PHOTO

Photograph by David E. Klutho

End of the Ice Age?

Twenty-four hours after Canada won the World Cup of Hockey on Sept. 14 in Toronto, a lockout by NHL owners guaranteed that the 3--2 win over Finland would be the last big league hockey played in North America for a while. Until management, such as Phoenix Coyotes managing partner and Team Canada executive director Wayne Gretzky (kneeling in suit), comes to terms with players, like winning goalie Martin Brodeur (seated on ice), NHL training camps will be shuttered. The forecast? Extremely chilling.