Leading Off

Moment of Ruth

After failing to homer in 40 plate appearances, Barry Bonds blasted a 90-mph fastball (right of the ATHLETICS outfield sign) from Oakland lefthander Brad Halsey over the fence in right center last Saturday for his 714th career homer, tying Babe Ruth for second on the alltime list (EDITOR'S LETTER, page 15). The ball was caught by 19-year-old Tyler Snyder (inset), who plans to sell it.

Against All Odds

Following more than five hours of surgery on Sunday to repair multiple fractures of the right hind leg suffered in the Preakness the day before (page 40), Barbaro was placed in a pool so that he wouldn't put pressure on the leg or reinjure himself by thrashing. A metal plate and 23 screws were used to put the shattered bones back together (X-ray, inset). Surgeons at the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary hospital said that horses so severely injured are usually destroyed.

Barceloco

Flanked by Giovanni van Bronckhorst (far left) and Ronaldinho, team captain Carles Puyol hoisted the UEFA Champions League trophy after Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Arsenal on May 17 in Saint-Denis, France. After Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann earned a red card in the 18th minute for taking down forward Samuel Eto'o (inset), Bar�a used its man advantage to win Europe's most coveted club title for the second time.

? For more Leading Off pictures, go to SI.com/photos.