Japanese Company Gives Barry Bonds Wood

If Barry is to break Hank Aaron's record this year, not only will his swing be immortalized in thousands of photographs and everlasting video clips, but so too will his swag. That's why it comes as no surprise that there was a huge frenzy over who would supply Barry with his lumber.

The winner appears to be a Japanese company, SSK, which provided Bonds a dozen black-and-gold lacquered maple bats made to the slugger's exact specifications. Bonds is using the bats this spring and considers them nearly identical to his favored Sam Bats that he has swung faithfully since 1999.

What happened to the Sam Bats you ask?

Due to a combination of financial issues and Mother Nature, Ottawa-based Sam Bats manufacturer Sam Holman is months behind filling more than 2,000 major-league orders. There wasn't a solid freeze in Ottawa this winter until Jan. 20. The changing weather patterns caused persistent flooding in Holman's prime logging yard. He wasn't able to start sawing timber until mid-February.

Holman suggested global warming has something to do with it -- but that guy carves logs for a living -- so you should heed his expertise when it comes to geo-scientific issues.

And in case you were wondering, using the kind-hearted, gentle, sharing spirit that Bonds embodies, he will be sending the bat to Cooperstown where it may rest in baseball heaven along with all the other classic memorabilia of all-time.

NOT, that lovable creature is keeping it to himself. At his house. For nobody else to view. But him. And his family.