San Francisco ? If Barry Bonds doesn’t splash his 756th home run into the bay, the record-breaker could come in Hank Aaron’s old hometown. Or at the home of the Giants’ biggest rival. Or maybe a ballpark where fans usually throw back balls.

And that could be pretty awkward. Picture a major moment in sports taking place in front of a crowd that didn’t want to see it happen.

“I can’t imagine they wouldn’t want that to happen at home anyway,” Milwaukee pitcher Ben Sheets said at the All-Star game. “That’s a big record. You almost need to give it its due. The only place you can really give it its due is at home. Make sure you tell him that, too.”

Bonds enters a three-game weekend series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers with 751 homers, four shy of tying Aaron. After this week, the Giants visit Wrigley Field for four games against the Chicago Cubs, then travel to Milwaukee to play the Brewers three times.

Milwaukee is the hometown of commissioner Bud Selig, a close friend of Aaron’s. Selig still hasn’t said whether he’ll be in attendance when Bonds breaks the record. There also are plenty of Aaron fans left in the city where Hammerin’ Hank began and ended his career.

While Bonds gets booed at almost every opposing ballpark because of his prickly personality and allegations of steroid use, a celebration could be particularly strange in Milwaukee.

“Obviously he’s a lightning rod,” Sheets said. “It’s an honor that should be celebrated, not taken away from. I’m not sure people will appreciate what just happened. At least you know in San Francisco that people will be there to honor what just happened. I don’t know what would happen in Milwaukee. It’s Hank Aaron’s record. I just don’t think it would be a good idea.”

Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy admitted he wouldn’t mind witnessing history, provided his team won the game.

“I think it would be unbelievable to see it,” Hardy said.

If the past is any indication, Hardy’s best chance might not be until the Brewers come to San Francisco on Aug. 24.

Starting with career homer No. 500, nearly every milestone shot Bonds has hit has come at home.

That list includes homer No. 71 that broke the single-season record in 2001, No. 600 the following year, the shots that tied and passed Willie Mays for third place all-time in 2004, No. 700 later that season and No. 715 last year to move past Babe Ruth.

About the only noteworthy homer to come outside of San Francisco occurred just across the bay in Oakland. With plenty of Giants fans in the stands last year, Bonds tied Ruth with No. 714.