Barry Bonds is so close, yet so far away.

The single season home run king is just one swing away from the Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth, yet its taking forever to catch the long dead giant of baseball.

This isnt a typical slump because Barry has been hitting the ball, scoring and driving in runs, helping his team to win.

This drought seems more psychological, as if, lurking beneath Barrys famous body armor, tough guy, what-me-care? attitude is a soul that is just a wee bit afraid of success.

Fear of Success is a syndrome well known to shrinks. It arises from the concern that you might succeed today, but then expectations will increase for your future performance, and you doubt your long-term ability to deliver.

That saying, Watch out what you wish for; you just might get it! could have been coined by someone fearful of success.

For Barry, its not about the Babe. The bambino will surely be caught and passed.

More likely, its about Henry Aarons all time home run mark of 755.

Does Barry have enough gas in the tank to make it one, or possibly two more seasons, injury and steroids free, to topple Hanks record?

Is Barry afraid that his number 714 or 756 will be wiped from the record books because of his purported misdeeds?

Is he feeling guilty?

(He says hes not sleeping at night.)

When all of this is settled someone may write a doctoral dissertation on Barrys torments, and they wont call it The Curse of The Bambino.

More likely, it will be The Curse of The Barry.