updated 3:13 p.m. ET May 30, 2006

Mike Piazza has been around baseball practically his whole life, and the moment was not lost on him.

“The bottom line is, you’re witnessing history,” the San Diego Padres catcher said Sunday after Barry Bonds hit his 715th homer. “I think that’s what people really kind of need to appreciate a little bit.”

Bonds passed Babe Ruth and moved into second place on the career list when he homered off Byung-Hyun Kim in the fourth inning of the San Francisco Giants’ 6-3 loss to Colorado.

“It’s not every day you see a guy hit 700 home runs, it’s not every day you see a guy become the second all-time home run hitter,” Piazza said. “It’s something special.”

The 37-year-old Piazza has spent 14 years in the majors and was the 1993 rookie of the year. He has 404 homers, tops among catchers — so he knows a thing or two about home runs. He also knows a thing or two about market value when it comes to Bonds.

“I wish I had the ball,” he said.

Only Hank Aaron with 755 stands ahead of Bonds, and Orioles outfielder Jeff Conine thinks it important to keep that in mind.

“It’s not a record,” he said. “I mean, it’s a milestone for him, but it’s not a record. They had the same kind of hoopla when he got 400, 500 and 600. They’re all milestones, but they’re not records.”

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Bonds missed most of last season with a knee injury and he hasn’t been hitting balls out as frequently as he did before his legs began breaking down. His latest homer was his seventh of the season.

“I’m just wondering how much longer he can do it,” said Braves pitcher John Smoltz, who has served up eight homers to Bonds, tied for the most. “He’s the greatest, in my era, home run hitter I have ever seen.”

Padres pitcher Jake Peavy surrendered No. 700 to Bonds in 2004.

“I’m happy for Barry and his family. I’m sure it takes a lot of pressure off him. Maybe he can relax and play his game now,” Peavy said. That’s an unbelievable accomplishment and Barry’s one of the best that’s ever played the game.”

Bonds has been dogged by allegations of steroid use — he has denied knowingly using performance enhancing drugs — and he’s been met with scorn by many baseball fans this season.

“I think it’s sad to hear fans boo him,” Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said. “I think they should appreciate what they’re witnessing. I can’t imagine what he goes through on a daily basis.”

Bonds holds the single-season homer record with 73 in 2001. Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols hit his 24th home run Sunday, putting him on pace to beat Bonds’ record.

“I’m glad for him. He is a great player, and has had a great career,” Pujols said. “It’s going to be tough for anyone else to reach 715.”

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