The Tribune’s Dan McGrath writes that Barry Bonds has put himself in Ruth’s company.

On the basis of Bonds’ numbers alone, it’s hard to disagree. One reason why Ruth’s numbers are so singularly … Ruthian, however, is that he outslugged entire teams.

For example, after a slow start — if we could even dare to call it that — Bonds leads the majors in home runs with 30 at the break. Three others are tied for second with 28 and 19 others have 20 or more home runs.

Meanwhile, when Ruth led baseball with 54 home runs in 1920. George Sisler came in second in the home run “race” with 19. Ruth reeled off a string of nine American League home run titles in the next 11 years, and he was injured for long stretches of the two seasons the crown went elsewhere.

It wasn’t until 1932, at 37, that Ruth permanently relinquished the home run crown. I think it’s fair to say that while over the last couple of years Bonds has put up Ruthian numbers, and that his career numbers may yet surpass the Babe’s, no player will ever impact the game of baseball the way Ruth did.

Which is why he’ll always remain the benchmark of comparison for hitters. That said, Bonds is getting there!