Barry Bonds's 756th Home Run Ball Won't Be in Cooperstown

Barry Bonds's 756th home run has been celebrated by some and denigrated by others but visitors to the Baseball Hall of Fame won't be able to see the ball he blasted into the stands either way. Talks between Marc Ecko, the clothing entrepreneur who bought the ball at auction, and officials from the Hall have come to an impasse, leaving one of baseball's most infamous artifacts without a place in Cooperstown.

The problem lies with Ecko's reluctance to hand the ball over on a permanent basis, according to a statement released by the Hall.

"The owner's previous commitment to unconditionally donate the baseball has changed to a loan. As a result, the Hall of Fame will not be able to accept the baseball. Should the owner choose to unconditionally donate the ball to the museum at a future date, we would be delighted and of course, accept his offer."

The vast majority of items in the Hall's collection were donated for perpetuity. The Hall already has Bonds's batting helmets from the record-breaker and only makes exceptions when nothing else is available.

Originally, the Hall was queasy about the plan to put an asterisk on the ball. If it were so branded, though, it would help tell the full story of Bonds and the home run record. Regardless of what you think about Bonds, the ball and the homer are a big piece of baseball history and should be exhibited in the game's museum.