Despite the hubbub over steroids and San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds’ move up major league baseball’s all-time home run ladder, there is a constant that exists: the exorbitant price of autographed baseballs by the participants.

A look at the top five home run hitters of all time gives the casual observer some kind of insight into the proceedings.

In descending order, Hank Aaron, former Milwaukee and Atlanta slugger, stills leads the proceedings with 755 round-trippers.

That impressive total remains alone at the top of the list.

Next up, is the Bambino himself, George Herman “Babe” Ruth.

Ruth’s accomplishments on the field – and off the field, for that matter – are, well, Ruthian. His grand total of 714 career home runs seemed untouchable until Henry Aaron came along.

As of this writing, Barry Bonds has tied the Babe with 714 dingers.

Behind Bonds are two sluggers who have retired from the game.

Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid” – another Giant – checks in at 660 home runs.

Sammy Sosa – longtime Chicago Cub – is next at 588.

The intriguing part of all this ball bashing is how the numbers shape up when one wants to purchase an authentic, autographed baseball.

Such businesses as Mounted Memories and Hall of Fame Memorabilia display interesting price ranges for the aforementioned sluggers on the Internet.

Any guesses what the most inexpensive ball is? If you guessed Hank Aaron – go figure – you were correct.

A quick look at Web sites advertising authentic Aaron baseballs finds the southern gentleman coming in at $207 for a signed ball.

Consider that, then consider that another Hall of Famer, Willie Mays, is next at $219 per ball.

Go figure, again.

Next batter up is Sammy Sosa. Those who want to purchase authentically autographed Sosa baseballs need to fork over $284 for that privilege.

Alas, one would wonder where Bonds and the Bambino fit into the picture.

If you’ve got somewhere in the neighborhood of $368-$600, you can have an authentically signed Barry Bonds baseball.

Bonds, no stranger to financial success, has his own Web site, his own company, and his own autographed baseball business.

Talk of the Babe must center around big dealers, who are also experts in the field of vintage autographs.

Brigandi Coin in New York City is the best place I know to begin this search.

Got $125,000 burning a hole in your pocket? If you do, you can walk away with the best-looking Ruth ball I’ve ever seen.

If not, $6,000 will get you a Ruth team ball, signed by other New York Yankees.

Regardless of how the home run race plays out, the Sultan of Swat still – and will always, I’m guessing – lead the pack in high-priced memorabilia.

As Barry Bonds limps his way to the all-time home run crown, collectors everywhere will begin to hoard his memorabilia.

But the fact remains that Ruth’s popularity still speaks volumes abut what collectors want, even if Bonds ends up being the ultimate winner on the field.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net