Exceeding estimates by experts in the memorabilia industry, the ball Giants left fielder Barry Bonds hit for his record-setting 756th home run was auctioned Saturday for $752,467.

Sotheby's/SCP Auctions said that home run No. 755, the ball that tied Hank Aaron's record, went for $186,750. Both prices included the winning bid plus a 20 percent buyer's fee, according to the auction houses handling the sale.

Neither buyer wanted to be identified, said a spokesman for SCP Auctions.

It had been believed that the record-breaking ball would fetch $500,000, while the record-tying ball would go for $200,000. Both prices fell well short of the $3 million paid for the ball St. Louis' Mark McGwire hit to break Roger Maris' single-season home run mark in 1998.

Bonds' final homer, setting the all-time record, could prompt winning bids of more than $1 million, according to estimates.

Bonds tied Aaron's mark in San Diego on Aug. 4 and set the standard three days later at home against Washington.

Matt Murphy, the 21-year-old student and construction supervisor from New York who caught No. 756, issued a statement after the sale.

"I had hoped to keep the ball, but when I determined that was not the best strategy at this stage of my life, this definitely was the right decision," Murphy said. "It is an honor to be a part of baseball history and I wish the new owner well with whatever they elect to do with the ball."

Adam Hughes, the 34-year-old plumber from La Jolla who snared No. 755, also expressed satisfaction.

"I feel like I did the right thing with it," said Hughes, who noted that he expects to take home about $90,000 from the sale after taxes and auction house fees.