Barry Bonds sits for the integrity of the game

Jack Marshall, a professional ethicist, writer, lawyer and lifetime baseball enthusiast, writes at The Hardball Times the reasons why no MLB team signed Barry Bonds during the 2008 baseball season.

Yes, the reason has to do with the ethics and culture surrounding baseball - which differs from every other major sport.

Barry Bonds is much better than Teixeira and Ramirez

According to RealClearSports, the top 4 MLB free agent signings of all time are as follows:

1. Barry Bonds (Giants)
2. Kirk Gibson (Dodgers)
3. Reggie Jackson (Yankees)
4. Jack Morris (Twins)

Barry Bonds wants to be in the starting lineup in 2009

Barry Bonds tells TMZ that "I'm not retired."

What did Barry Bonds say in 2008?

Here are several quotes from Barry Bonds himself this year that you can read, enjoy and ponder.

We can all read what Barry himself has said, however, the key question remains: What does Barry Bonds truly mean?

"I continue to work out and feel in great shape," wrote Bonds, who has not signed with a team for 2008. "Thank you again for your continued support for me and my family; it truly helps keep me strong."

Feb 29, 2008

In his appearance before the grand jury, Bonds said he didn't understand the results from the January 2001 test prosecutors showed him and then said, "some people may have more testosterone levels than others."

Feb 29, 2008

"During this whole investigation thing, when you're hearing about it and reading and how it's made and stuff like that. I'm like: 'Wait a minute.' You know, I'm thinking to myself, like: 'What is this stuff,'" Bonds said.

Feb 29, 2008

"I want to win a championship or else I want to keep trying to win a championship until there's nothing left inside me," Bonds said. "I can still play."

Mar 19, 2008

"I'm happy now that I have more time," Bonds told the crowd at the kickoff event of the Macy's Christmas tree lighting. "I've actually enjoyed myself immensely."

Oct 7, 2008

The Real vs. The Fake Barry Bonds: A Tutorial

FWIW, there's a great baseball card tutorial on Sports Card Info concerning: How To Spot A Fake Barry Bonds 1986 Topps Traded XRC #11T. It is very well done.

And I just checked, this particular card to the left is selling for $4.05 on eBay with 4 hours left! So, for all you baseball card Christmas shoppers out there, rock bottom bargains are still available!!! Go for it!

The MLB careers of Ted Williams and Barry Bonds

A very interesting data analysis was provided at Beyond The Boxscore comparing Ted Williams with Barry Bonds.

A-Rod, Barry Bond’s buddy, continues to go nuts

Barry Bond’s friend A-Rod, continues to go nuts.

Yes, that A-Rod – the New York City home town boy. Alex Rodriguez, the third baseman for the 3rd place, out-of-2008-post-season-play New York Yankees.

A-Rod, who is close personal friends with non-other than Warren Buffett, Madonna and Jose Canseco (and others).

Alex, who is currently sitting at #12 on MLB’s all-time home run list with 553. (As we know, our Barry Bonds is tops with 762).

The reason we are bringing this up, is because Barry Bonds has publicly said numerous times that he is very good buddies with A-Rod and wouldn’t mind at all if someday he broke Barry Bonds’ MLB HR records. Barry and A-Rod are just that tight.

So, it has to be of some very deep concern to Barry that A-Rod continues to go nuts.

What is the evidence that A-Rod is going nuts? A Yahoo! Sports article written by Jeff Passan posted yesterday. We couldn’t begin to summarize the many ways that A-Rod is going nuts. You’ll have to read it yourself.

So, lastly, we look forward to Barry Bonds reaching out to his close personal friend, A-Rod.

The future of Major League Baseball may depend upon it.



So, yes, read:

A-Rod desperately seeking himself (Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports)

Also read -

Billionaire Warren Buffett helped keep “A-Rod” a Yankee

MadRod's Thanksgiving Weekend Capped By Madonna-Brother Reunion, Mexico Trip

Four counts dropped against Barry Bonds, 10 to remain

Feds drop 4 counts against Barry Bonds

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—Federal prosecutors dropped four counts of lying to a grand jury against Barry Bonds, leaving him to face trial next year on 10 counts of making false statements plus an additional obstruction of justice charge.

Bonds faces the same potential sentence range—probation to roughly two years in prison—if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin March 2.


Yahoo! Sports Article

Freedom of Speech and The Barry Bonds Trial

Conte isn’t deterred by ruling

SAN FRANCISCO – Victor Conte, mastermind of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, is talking and the judge in the Barry Bonds federal perjury case on Wednesday signed the latest version of the government order that has made possible the release of key grand jury testimony.


read: Yahoo Sports Article

Wow, a list that Barry Bonds did NOT make

Barry Bonds did not make the following list, written by Yahoo! Sports writer David Brown. Why? Maybe because his agent is Jeff Boras, not Scott?


article: The magic of Scott Boras: 10 of the agent's most notorious deals

Should the Chicago Cubs consider Barry Bonds?

The World Series ended a couple of months ago and baseball writers and fans are right smack in the middle of the slow season, the off-season, hot stove baseball.

So why not think about the latest trial balloon (that would be the polite term) for bringing Barry Bonds out of retirement. Ok? Good.

You'll recall that Barry Bonds had a busy month in November. Taking his family to the LA Lakers game, going big game hunting in Canada and appearing in court in San Francisco before the understanding and sympathetic judge, Judge Susan Illston.

So it is now December, several months before MLB Spring Training and it is about time to start dangling the Home Run King Himself, Mr. Barry Bonds before a few baseball teams. Goodness, there were more than a dozen teams that took a good look and not so good look at Mr. Bonds last year, starting with the Oakland A's. Even the American League champs, the Tampa Bay Rays thought about it. Thought better about it. Then the Rays won the AL Championship without the slugger Himself in the lineup.

So, who's turn is it now? Who would like to start the 2008/2009 off-season with a possible consideration of the Home Run King Himself?

Yes, it is the Chicago Cubs turn.

Yes, the Chicago Cubs, who were predicated to easily go to the World Series last year by many publications and MLB fans and soothsayers.

So, below is the BleacherReport article, which is probably wrong on every point relative to this Barry Bonds to Chicago Cubs idea. Why? Because every viable team last year was wrong for Barry Bonds and remains that way.



The Cubs' Answer to Their Left Handed Woes

Real or Fake? The Barry Bonds Back Tattoo

Three Counts are out! in the Barry Bonds Trial

Three Counts Dismissed in the Barry Bonds Trial, but the case move on


A federal judge in San Francisco today dismissed several charges against Barry Bonds but has left intact most of the indictment.

Judge Susan Illston dropped three of the charges against ex-San Francisco Giants, Barry Bonds, lightening the legal load of baseball's all-time home run king

Barry Bonds on the Los Angeles Lakers bandwagon!

Barry Bonds is officially on the Los Angeles Lakers bandwagon!!!

The unofficially retired slugger, father and husband took the family to see Kobe and Company play some b-ball at the Staples Center.


pictures

A chess move in the Barry Bonds perjury case

Well, sports fans, here's some more drama for you below. What will happen next, and more importantly, what will that San Francisco judge do!!!???

Judge could unseal all BALCO evidence

SAN FRANCISCO – Federal prosecutors in the Barry Bonds perjury case have reversed course in a move that some observers believe is grounded in desperation, asking the judge to make public the entire Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative investigation, including evidence and testimony from numerous high-profile athletes.

read::: Yahoo!Sports

It is South vs. North in a legal dispute in Beverly Park (L.A.)

Yes, it is a legal Civil War in Los Angeles over who has access to a gated road and community.

Here are the star-studded teams:

Team "South Beverly Park" has -
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson and movie producer Richard Zanuck

Team "North Beverly Park" has -
Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, Reba McEntire, Sylvester Stallone, Sumner Redstone, and of course, our Barry Bonds!

South takes on the north in dispute over access to Beverly Park

Unbelievable: Barry Bonds makes the "Five most destructive teammates" list

Nina Mandell, over at Fannation, has been recently thinking about Stephon Marbury of the the Knicks and his eventual exit from that franchise. (hey, the Knicks are off to a fast 2-2 start without Steph)

So, speaking of destructive teammates, what did she do? She "put together our list of the five most destructive teammates in sports." Interesting. Guess who not only made the list, but was at the top of the list?

Correct. Our Barry Bonds.

Here it is, check it out and let us know what you think:

Five most destructive teammates list

1. Barry Bonds, retired athlete
2. Rafael Palmeiro, retired athlete
3. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
4. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

San Francisco Justice for Barry Bonds?

We have addressed the "issue" of US District Court Judge Susan Illston here at our blog before.

In the post before this one, here, and elsewhere.

The issue of Judge Susan is front and center once again.

The issue is begging the following questions: Will Barry Bonds experience the San Francisco justice of Judge Susan? Or, the New York Justice that Marion Jones was sentenced to?

In one of the best articles written this year on the subject, San Francisco Chronicle reporter Gwenn Kapp gives us a must read piece entitled: "Note to Barry Bonds: enroll in law school -- soon."

Please read and comment. San Francisco or New York justice? Which will it be for Barry Bonds?

Will Barry Bonds walk (again)???

Will the justice system 'walk' Barry Bonds? That is one of the questions discussed by Jonathan Littman of Yahoo! Sports with his article - Bonds gets more good news.

Career home runs - 762

Career walks - 2558

[photo via Flicker, malingering]

NY Daily News: Barry Bonds' desperate swing

It was announced this week with bad intentions, look out, that the Major League Baseball Players Association was going to come after baseball on a big collusion charge because nobody wanted to give Barry Bonds a job this past season. That was the first part of the announcement, anyway. The second was that the grievance wouldn't be filed right away, but rather in an "indeterminate period."

Lupica: Barry Bonds' desperate swing

The Tampa Bay Rays, without Mr. Barry Bonds

This blog, "The Barry Bonds Trial blog," was wrong, dead wrong about the following articles posted earlier this year:

article 1

article 2

This guy was right, totally right (about the following article, this week):

Inman: Rays wise to pass on Bonds

Now, truth-be-told (if you want us to be completely honest), we were have a little fun with those Barry-to-Tampa Bay articles we posted earlier this year. Half fun, half serious. Half serious because there were a lot of people in favor of this Tampa Bay idea. The thought was that it was a no risk move and that Barry would re-vitalize the Rays.

Was that line of thinking ever wrong!!! The Rays were already ready themselves and they didn't need any external help from an aging baseball player with bag after bag of baggage.

The money line from the Inman article:

"And right now the Rays have gone from nothing status to the VIP room. They did it without Bonds. They showed they could win without him, the very goal the Giants should have set for themselves years ago."

We couldn't agree more. Go Rays!

It's ... it's collusion I tell ya! Honest it is!

“There were numerous things that occurred that made me believe that the clubs were acting in concert,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said Thursday.

They just have to keep this issue alive, don't they? During the season, during the playoffs, during the off-season. It really doesn't matter.

Here it is in a logical nutshell:

1. Barry Bonds wanted a job as a baseball player this year, (he really, really did)
2. Old Barry, couldn't land a job to save his life (he even updated his resume)
3. Hence and therefore: MLB is colluding!!! Sue the bastards!!!

A happy Barry Bonds shares his happiness

Barry Bonds visited seriously ill kids at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco, Calif. this week to promote the upcoming Macy's Christmas tree lighting.

Accompanied by two professional clowns, the slugger said, "I'm happy, now that I have so much more time. Actually, I'm enjoying myself immensely."

A couple of fans tried unsuccessfully, for autographs.

"Not doing that," Bonds said.

Barry Bonds is officially 0 for 2008

Barry, Barry, Barry. Barry Bonds. What can we say?

Barry Bonds is officially: 0 for 2008.

Zero at bats, zero hits, zero walks, zero home runs. Zero for 2008.

But it is not just about 2008 or the steroids or the charges by the Federal government is it?

It is, and will always be, about one thing.

Barry Bonds.

That crazy, wacko, narcissistic kind of guy that happens to be the all-time home run king in major league baseball history. It is about the quest for #1 and he got there. He sure did. He got the prize he always wanted and now he has 2008.

Barry Bonds is officially 0 for 2008.

We all saw it coming, didn’t we? And it began with Daddy Bonds: Bobby Bonds.

In high school, kids used to drive Barry nuts with comments about Bobby and his love of wine, women and song. Barry took all that abuse and said to himself: there will be a time of reconciliation, a time when he will shut everyone, a time when they will eat their words, a time when Barry will be King. The time would be 2007.

In college, the craziness of the Bobby and Barry Show continued. One afternoon at Packard Stadium at Arizona State University, Bobby Bonds drove a car on the field to talk to ASU coach Jim Brock about all-things-Barry. Later, for some reason, Coach Brock asked Barry’s teammates to vote if Barry should stay on the team. His teammates voted no, "send him packing." Barry stayed on the ASU baseball team.

Then it was the Pittsburgh Pirates, then eventually the San Francisco Giants, and then the record in 2007.

In 2008 it started out promising, since it appeared as if everyone agreed that Barry would be such a great fit with the Oakland Athletics.

When the A’s said no, every two weeks a new trial balloon, a new team was floated in the press to keep the name of Barry Bonds alive. It was the Tampa Bay Rays, and others, and the Boston Red Sox, and still others. Finally there were no takers. Finally the season ended.

Barry Bonds is officially 0 for 2008.

Barry Bonds got his wish, his payback, his record in 2007.

Yet, Barry Bonds is officially 0 for 2008.

The stadiums are now quiet, except for the playoff teams. The courtroom is being prepared and the lawyers are as well. Barry Bonds will have his day in court and will be heard.

What will Barry Bonds’ record be in 2009?

The Heat is on (Barry Bonds)

Sing it with Glenn Frey! The heat is on. Read on:

Feds defend Barry Bonds perjury indictment


More heat on Bonds

Billy Joel sings 'Pressure' to Barry Bond's amigo Greg Anderson

Well, truth be said, Billy Joel didn't really sing this to Barry Bond's buddy Greg Anderson - but it more than certainly applies these days. Here's why according to the NY Times:

Federal authorities are considering criminal charges against both the wife and the mother-in-law of Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds’s former personal trainer, in an effort to pressure Anderson to testify against Bonds, according to a lawyer for Anderson’s wife and other people with knowledge of the case.

Article -

NY Times: Family of Bonds’s Trainer Feeling More Pressure

Bud to Jeff: No Barry Bonds Collusion

Commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday: "We have not found any indication of anything other than clubs making individual decisions that this player is not appropriate for them."


SF CHRONICLE: MLB dismisses collusion charge from Bonds' agent

Barry Bonds' 756th homer ball arrives in Cooperstown

The ball Barry Bonds launched for his record 756th home run last season landed this week in Baseball's Hall of Fame. The souvenir arrived in Cooperstown, N.Y., after a strange day of back-and-forth statements between its owner, fashion designer Marc Ecko, and the shrine.

"We are very happy to receive the baseball as a donation, and not as a loan," Hall spokesman Brad Horn said. "We look forward to adding this ball to our permanent collections."

Barry Bonds: Sorry, but it is no, no and no

Hey Barry! How's it going? We here at the The Barry Bonds Trial blog have not been on summer vacation. We have been doing a lot of research to see if an offer from an MLB team is coming your way.

Unfortunately, the bad news continues.

In Denver, they are calling you a has-been (article). The Braves Baseball Fan blog says that they don't want you. An L.A. Angels blog says "no." And even your own agent, Jeff Borris, says that you won't play - in the minors that is.

What's the leading home run hitter to do?

Well, we don't have an answer, unfortunately (yet).

However, your lovely Aunt Rosie does. She sends her love and she says its the owners fault and a few other things.
Take care, Barry.

A Target Letter for Nicole Gestas

According to the New York Times and several other sources, Federal officials have told Nicole Gestas (the wife of Barry Bonds' personal trainer Greg Anderson) that she is a target of a criminal investigation.

Legal experts say that this is another attempt to ratchet up the pressure on Anderson to cooperate.

Links-

Chicago Tribune

New York Daily News

Bloggers are (always) blogging about Barry Bonds

As usual, sports fans continue to think and talk about Barry Bonds. Here are a few random thoughts from some random blogs.

1. Here's one poor, desperate Met's fan praying for just about any solution, as he writes: Don't laugh at me, but maybe we should consider Barry Bonds AND Ken Griffey Jr.
2. And here's the Bleacher Report, for the 762nd time, talking about Barry Bonds and the Summer Of 2001.
3. And then here is a blogger bringing up good old Dusty Baker. (Remember him? The new manager of your last place Cincinnati Red Stockings) He delivers this excellent piece of baseball trivia: Dusty Baker has managed the last three players to achieve the 600 club home run milestone: Bonds in San Francisco, Sosa in Chicago and now Griffey. He was there for Bonds' 600th, on Aug. 9, 2002.
   

Dressed in a black suit, Barry Bonds said nothing during the five-minute arraignment. His attorney pleaded "not guilty"

Former San Francisco Giants baseball player Barry Bonds arrives at the federal courthouse in San Francisco, Calif., Friday, June 6, 2008. Bonds pleaded not guilty to 15 felony charges of lying to a federal grand jury about his performance-enhancing drug use. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Barry Bonds debate in Boston

Well here we go again .... now it is the Beantowners turn to start to ask 'Barry Bonds related questions,' like: "If the call comes, does Theo Epstein pick up the phone?"

Everyone on both sides of the Charles River is now fully aware that the prognosis for David Ortiz is mostly a crap shoot at this point. He could be gone the rest of the 2008 season. He could be back by the All-Star break. Who knows???

So ... what a Red Sox fan going to do? What is Theo Epstein going to do?

The next couple of days and weeks should be very interesting.

Articles -

A Barry big debate

Could Fenway be Barry’s next home?

Does anyone miss Barry Bonds?

Mark Purdy of the Mercury News apparently does not. He's just sitting in front of his monitor waiting for The Barry Bonds Trial to begin (among other things).


Read ...

Purdy: A trial to make low-profile Bonds sit up

Barry Bonds: 15 felony counts

Feds unveil new indictment against Barry Bonds

By PAUL ELIAS – 3 hours ago

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Bonds was charged in a new indictment Tuesday with 15 felony counts alleging he lied to a grand jury when he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs and that he hampered the federal government's doping investigation.

The career home run leader originally was indicted in November by a federal grand jury on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice.

Following a motion by Bonds' lawyers to dismiss the case, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in February ordered prosecutors to rewrite the indictment because multiple alleged lies were lumped into single charges.

On Tuesday, a grand jury handed up a superseding indictment charging Bonds with 14 counts of making false declarations to a grand jury in 2003 and one count of obstruction of justice. No new lies were alleged.

AP news

Player's Union: concerns and more concerns

Union express concern over lack of offers to Barry Bonds

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—The players’ association has expressed concern to the baseball commissioner’s office over the lack of offers to Barry Bonds, asking for additional information about the offseason’s free-agent market.

The union did not go as far as to file a collusion grievance on behalf of the 43-year-old outfielder, who remains unsigned since the San Francisco Giants decided not to make him an offer last year and he became a free agent.

“We’ve raised both general concerns and some player specific concerns,” Michael Weiner, the union’s general counsel, said Tuesday.


Yahoo! Sports

It is May, and there is no MLB home (yet) for Barry Bonds

Will it be in Detroit, Toronto or Oakland ... or nowhere at all???


USA Today: Should Tigers replace Sheff with Bonds?
MLive.com, MI - Apr 30, 2008

Where Can Barry Bonds Find a Home?
Bleacher Report, CA - May 2, 2008

Blue Jays Won't Buy Into Bonds
National Post, Canada - May 1, 2008

A's need to sign Bonds to help team, draw fans
The Argus, CA - 12 hours ago

Toronto Blue Jays: Bye, bye Frank Thomas, hello Barry Bonds?

With the recent release of slumping Designated Hitter Frank Thomas, does this potentially mean that the Toronto Blue Jays have made room for a possible return to baseball of home run king Barry Bonds? Oh, Canada!

Barry says he is ready. More than ready. On his website he says: "I continue to work out and feel in great shape. Thank you again for your continued support for me and my family; it truly helps keep me strong." [barrybonds.com]

Read on -

BleacherReport

TSN.ca

Sportsnet.ca

Barry Bonds moves downstairs at San Francisco's Wax Museum

Barry Bonds demoted at San Francisco's Wax Museum
The Associated Press


SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Giants have dumped him. Now the city's Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf is demoting him.

Barry Bonds has lost his prime spot in the lobby of the popular museum of wax replicas.

The museum moved the home run king's wax likeness downstairs to join his godfather Willie Mays and other sports heroes.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie moved into Bonds' high-profile spot on Thursday.


Mercury News


related -

SF Chronicle

TheFourthOutBlog

The House That Barry Built

Bonds' Name, Record Nowhere To Be Found At AT&T Park

NBC11.com | March 27, 2008 | Staff

SAN FRANCISCO -- It didn’t matter if it said "PacBell," "SBC," or "AT&T" on the outside; to many San Francisco Giants fans, the ballpark on the city’s waterfront was always known as "The House That Barry Built."

But now, less than a year removed from Barry Bonds’ setting of the all-time, home-run record, the average fan will have a hard to finding evidence that the slugger ever played there. His name, his image, as well as any mention of his feat, have been scrubbed from AT&T Park.

Bonds’ case put on hold while government seeks new charges

Bonds’ case put on hold while government seeks new charges

By PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—The perjury case against Barry Bonds was put on hold for three months Friday, with prosecutors telling a federal judge they plan to obtain a new indictment against baseball’s home run king.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston had told prosecutors on Feb. 29 to fix their original indictment because it lumped multiple allegations into too few counts. Illston said that prosecutors needed to drop some of the allegations from the indictment or add more charges.

Zero contract offers ... collusion??? ... players union smells a rat

Fehr says union will investigate why no Bonds offers as it examines free-agent market

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—The lack of offers to Barry Bonds will be examined by the baseball players’ association as part of its annual review of the free-agent market.

Less than two weeks before opening day, the 43-year-old home run king remains unsigned.

“He’s in playing shape right now. He just hasn’t hit off live pitching,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, said Tuesday. “I’ve had conversations with Barry. It would probably take him about two weeks to get ready.”

Bonds was indicted in November on four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice, charges stemming from 2003 grand jury testimony in which he denied knowingly using illegal performance-enhancing drugs. The seven-time NL MVP pleaded not guilty.

Here come da judge, here come da judge

In a surprise ruling that few were predicting last week, US District Court Judge Susan Illston has deemed the federal government's indictment against Barry Bonds to be "duplicitous." In other words, back to the legal drawing board for the government.

What does this mean beyond the charges being too broad? We don't know yet. It is still early, but it can certainly be viewed as an early win for Barry Bonds. Stayed tuned to these and other Barry Bonds stations for the latest in all legal and baseball developments.

Barry Bonds' 2003 testimony to a grand jury

Below are selected excerpts from Barry Bonds' 2003 testimony to a grand jury investigating steroid use in baseball:

Q. And did he explain to you why (Greg Anderson) wanted to test your blood or your urine?

A. He wanted to do a blood test sample to try to regulate your levels, if you're lacking in zinc or magnesium or, you know, like your deficiency in your body. And I was curious about it. You know, that's a unique thing to find out. And to supplement it with food. I have a cook. So, I had a cook, and I had a nutritionist at Stanford, a lady that was telling us, you know, all the nutrition stuff, too. And Greg was also helping in that.

And then to take the blood test at BALCO was just the thing to figure out what you're deficient in and be able to supplement that with vitamins or food intake. And I thought it was just a neat idea.

---

Q. Okay. Had you ever taken flax seed oil, by the way, before?

A. I never asked Greg. When he said it was flax seed oil, I just said: "Whatever.'' It was in the ballpark.

Q. Right.

A. You know, in front of everybody. I mean, all the reporters, my teammates. I mean, they all saw it. I didn't hide it. I didn't hide -- I didn't hide anything.

I mean, I didn't question anything when he -- you know, if I'm at the ballpark or something -- you know, trainers come up to me and say: "Hey Barry, try this.'' I don't really question it, move on. You know?

---

Q. Did you notice after you took it that it had any affect -- appeared to you to have any affect on you at all?

A. I -- I told him: "It's not doing crap. I'm still in pain. I'm still feeling the pain.''

Q. You, yourself --

A. I still felt fatigued and had a heart condition in Arizona. It's not working.

Q. And other than what Mr. Anderson told you, you didn't know what this substance consisted of at all?

Q. No. I had no reason to doubt him. We were in the ballpark, inside the stadium. You know, if I was somewhere else, maybe, I probably would have -- I'm not that way, sir. Sorry. I'm not the type of person to pry into people's business. And I really believe my friends.

Q. Well, let me ask you this, if Mr. Anderson came to you at the ballpark with some other substance, whatever it is, if he asked you to take some other substance and said it was some other type of oil, whatever he asked you to take, would you take it?

A. I would trust that he wouldn't do anything to hurt me.

Q. Okay. But you wouldn't ask any further questions. You'd just basically -- because he's your friend, if he asked you to take it, you would take it?

A. He would do the same thing for me.

---

Q. And what were the results or the effects of this lotion? Did you find it helpful to you?

A. I thought it was -- oops.

Q. I'm sorry?

A. Oops. I -- I almost said something.

I thought it was really bad. I didn't think it did anything, to be honest with you. I didn't think it did anything.

Q. Any negative side effects?

A. I still felt the pain.

---

Q. Did Greg ever talk to you about this cream actually being a steroid cream that would, you know, conceal steroids or testosterone in your blood, did Greg ever ask -- tell you about that?

A. No, no.

Q. Okay. Let me ask you about a few other things -- oh, I'm sorry, one more thing.

Did you ever talk to Victor Conte about this lotion or this cream?

A. No. I have -- like I said, I only talked to Victor Conte when I saw him. I never talked to Victor Conte any time other than that, that I can recall, ever.

Q. Did Greg tell you where he was getting that lotion or that cream from?

A. No. But I assume it was BALCO.

Q. And again, about this cream, why would you assume it was from BALCO?

A. Because they were friends, you know.

Q. They were friends. But of course, it wasn't just because they were friends, it was because BALCO made stuff or provided stuff, I mean --

A. I never been in BALCO long enough to know anything they did. I was in the front room, the front of the building, okay? I had my personal doctor do my blood. That's it. I went to the back to a weight room to do an ad for them. I can't tell you what's in that building because I don't know.

Q. How many times have you been into BALCO?

A. Two to three times at the max.

---

Q. Just to follow-up before I go on to my other thing, have you ever yourself injected yourself with anything that Greg Anderson gave you?

A. I'm not that talented, no.

---

Q. And again, just to be clear, and then I'll leave it, but he never gave you anything that you understood to be human growth hormone? Did he ever give you anything like that?

A. No.

Q. And, again, I guess we've covered this, but -- and did he ever give you anything that he told you had to be taken with a needle or syringe?

A. Greg wouldn't do that. He knows I'm against that stuff. So, he would never come up to me -- he would never jeopardize our friendship like that.

Q. Okay. So, just so I'm clear, the answer is no to that, he never gave you anything like that?

A. Right.

Q. Did he ever -- I think you answered this, but did he ever even discuss it with you, like: "You might want to take some human growth hormone. This might be something might help you,'' and then you shot him down? Do you remember something like that happening?

A. You know, everyone talks about steroids at one point or another, players or whatever. But, no, we didn't talk -- we didn't have a conversation like a one-on-one type thing like that.

Conversations may have come up years and years back like that, but it was like a dead issue, like what's the -- whatever.

Q. Right, and I guess the distinction I'd make is sure, I'm not necessarily saying talking about: "Oh, look, there's something in the paper about steroids'' or whatever. I'm focusing on Greg working with you as a coach or a trainer for you and suggesting to you or encouraging you to take the growth hormone?

A. Greg wouldn't jeopardize our friendship that way.

Q. Now next thing on -- I'll just read it. It says: "D-e-p-o, depo test, Cyp 3 bottle, off and reg season $450.''

Do you see where I'm reading from on the page?

A. I see it all.

Q. Okay. And this -- and we'll call this Exhibit 504. This is a bottle of depotestosterone.

And let me ask, Mr. Bonds, if you recognize this item as something that you ever received? Or does that look like anything you ever got from Greg Anderson?

A. I have never, ever seen this bottle or any bottle pertaining that says depotestosterone.

Q. And other than me just reading from the label and telling you what it is, do you know what that is?

A. I know it's a form of steroid.

Q. Right. It's an injectable steroid, right, depotestosterone?

A. Well, I -- testosterone, I believe you can get a prescription from the doctor, as well.

Q. Right. For --

A. So, it's not an illegal drug. So, I don't know -- what part are you talking about?

Q. Right. Without getting into all the legal aspects of it right now, my question is, basically, testosterone or depotestosterone, do you know one way or the other if that's an injectable steroid?

A. I would imagine -- if it comes in a liquid thing like this (indicating), I would imagine it is, yes.

Q. All right. And again, I got to ask you these questions.

Did Greg ever give you testosterone in injectable form for you to take?

A. No.

Q. Would you have taken it if he gave it to you?

A. He wouldn't jeopardize our friendship that way.

---

Q. I know the answer -- let me ask you this again. I know we kind of got the into this. Let me be real clear about this. Did he ever give you anything that you knew to be a steroid? Did he ever give a steroid?

A. I don't think Greg would do anything like that to me and jeopardize our friendship. I just don't think he would do that.

Q. Well, when you say you don't think he would do that, to your knowledge, I mean, did you ever take any steroids that he gave you?

A. Not that I know of.

Q. Let me ask you, in terms of you knowing about it, what do you mean by not that you know of?

A. Because I have suspicions over these two items right here (indicating).

Q. Okay.

A. And that's the only reason. But I haven't asked him. I haven't gotten there. So, I'm just suspicious over this stuff right here (indicating).

Q. When did you start becoming suspicious about those items?

A. Like -- during this whole investigation thing when you're hearing about it and reading and how it's made and stuff like that. I'm like: "Wait a minute,'' you know I'm thinking to myself, like: "What is this stuff?''

Q. So, before BALCO was in the media?

A. No, this was after they were in the media.

Q. No suspicious previously?

A. No, I didn't -- I was at the ballpark. There was no reason. I mean, why would you think in front of all these people -- I mean, I wouldn't think Greg would give me something in front of all these people at the ballpark.

But because you're presenting it to me it brings some suspicion to my mind. That's what I'm saying. Okay? That's all.

Q. Were there any affects that came from those two items that made you think: "Gee, this has effects like steroids, you know, he didn't tell me it was a steroid''?

A. That don't have any affect to anything, I'll tell you right now. If it's a steroid, it ain't working.''

---

Q. Did the Giants training staff have any involvement in working with you with Mr. Anderson?

A. No way.

Q. Okay. And back --

A. We don't trust the ball team. We don't trust baseball.

Q. Why not?

A. Because I was born in this game. Believe me. It's a business. Last time I played baseball was in college. I work for a living now.

Q. Yeah?

A. Yeah.

Q. Okay.

A. I don't trust their doctors or nothing.

---

Q. So, basically, all the stuff that you got to take on a nutritional or recovery -- that is the nutritional stuff and the recovery stuff, you believed to be free; correct?

A. I believed it to be free.

Q. But you did pay Greg for his help on the weight coaching and training?

A. Exactly.

Q. How much did you pay him on the weight training?

A. I paid Greg $15,000 for the whole year.

Q. A year, okay. And is that about how much you've paid him each year you've worked with him about?

A. Each year about, yes.

Greg didn't want any money from me. I felt guilty. I said: "Dude, let me at least do something.'' He would train me for free. But he has a kid that he wanted to get to school. And he has an ex-girlfriend that's nagging him about it. So, I said: "Dude, let me at least give you something.'' So -- his son goes to the same school my daughter goes to, a Montessori school. So at least give me some money to keep your kid in school. And we'll call it even, you know, and that's what we did.

Q. Did you pay him in cash or checks?

A. I paid him cash.

MR. NADEL: All at once?

THE WITNESS: Sometimes all at once, and I think sometimes I split it up. It's however he wanted it. Friend of mine.

BY MR. NEDROW:

Q. And that's -- and understanding that $15,000, depending on one's salary, may not be itself a lot of money, but that's a lot of cash to have on hand at any given time, like, $15,000? I mean --

A. I make 17 million.

Q. Understood. But still, having that much on hand, I'm not necessarily trying to -- it's still a lot of cash to have on hand at a given time, or is it not?

A. It's a lot of cash to have on hand. That's why I get it out of my hands, get it into somebody else's hands and let him worry about it.

---

Q. Okay. You're still regularly training with (Anderson)?

A. Right.

Q. Even after all the stuff in the newspapers and all that stuff?

A. That's right.

Q. And has Greg, you know, made any statements to you about, you know, his identification as a target of this thing? Has he made any comments to you about -- about these matters regarding --

A. Not personal matters, but he said he believes he's a target.

Q. Mm-hmm.

A. The only thing I asked Greg: "What's it like getting your door blown down? Dude, I never seen anything like that except on TV.'' That's about as far as we went on it.

You know, I don't want to know, because it keeps our friendship as it is. I don't want to get involved. I don't want him to tell me something or me to say something that is going to affect him later on or anything. And so we don't talk about it. I mean there's probably other people in that gym that probably talk about it all the time. The guy's in the paper every day. Well, so am I. Well, I do ask him about being a celebrity: "Now you know what I go through on an everyday basis,'' stuff like that. We talked about that, but that's about it.

---

Q. I'm sorry. Mr. Bonds, but I have to ask because you are a professional athlete, and an enormously successful athlete, but your trust in Greg with these items that don't have packages on them and trusting him on his word, without looking at these results, I mean, that's a lot of trust for somebody whose body is, as you said, your work, your life, isn't it?

A. It's exactly right. You're right. I did trust Greg. And I have other people that have put stuff on my skin, too. I also have trainers in the organization I trust that put cream and stuff on me, too. I put a lot of trust in a lot of people, we do as athletes.

---

Q. Did you ever get any pills that Mr. Anderson described as testosterone pills or fast-acting steroid pills that he called beans? Did you ever get anything like that from him?

A. No, not that I know of. I mean, he gave me a package of pills.

Q. Did he ever give you one he called beans?

A. I didn't ask him what was in the packages.

Q. Okay.

A. So, I could be wrong. There could be that in the packages. I don't know what beans are. I'm just sitting here saying is that the packages already came packaged. And I had, like, ten or 12 pills in there.

Q. Okay.

A. So, for this particular item you're talking about, beans, if it's a pill, I could have taken that pill, but I wouldn't know that it was, because I didn't ask Greg what all the pills' names were.

---

Q. So, that's fine. I guess my question is, do you know why, in November of 2001 -- which is the date in the upper left corner and also indicated as the time collected and received -- that your testosterone was being tested by this lab? Why would they test for your testosterone?

A. I have no idea. Like I said, I just gave the blood. My doctor comes up to my house, I give Greg the blood. Greg just tells me. So, I never saw the documents. I should have.

Now that I think of it with the situation that is now, I should have. But I never saw them. I believed my friend. He told me everything's okay. I didn't think anything about it.

---

Q. Okay. So, again, let me ask you in January 2001, do you know why BALCO would have been testing you for your testosterone levels?

A. I have no idea.

BALCO said they were testing the blood to check your levels. I just -- like I said, I never went to BALCO. Greg just came up. I had my doctor at the house. He came in with the vials, my doctor drew the blood, we just gave it to Greg. Greg went down there and dealt with it.

Q. Do you know why your testosterone would have been -- according to this result -- higher than the level the normal range as indicated for males 29 to 49 years? Do you know why that would have been?

A. I don't understand this piece of paper. I've never seen it before, once again. So, I would not be able to answer that question because I don't understand how that works.

And I don't understand if some people may have more testosterone levels then others. And I just -- I can't honestly believe just because this piece of paper says something that there's a problem. Everyone is different.

---

Q. Just to follow-up on the grand juror's question, is that -- if you're giving gifts of $15,000 or $20,000 a year to individuals, is that something that you declare on your tax returns as a gift?

A. I didn't declare it on my tax returns at all, no. Because they didn't want to have to pay tax on it. I'm thinking: "Fifteen grand, whoop-de-doo. You know, slap me on the hands, and I'll pay my taxes on it.''

Federal Judges tells prosecutors to rewrite their perjury indictment in the Barry Bonds case

Baseball's home run king, Barry Bonds, was handed an initial courtroom victory today when a federal judge found that steroid perjury charges against him were improperly written structured.

Related breaking news ---

Rewrite Barry Bonds indictment, federal judge tells prosecutors
By Howard Mintz A federal judge today ordered prosecutors to rewrite their perjury indictment against former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds. ...

Bonds Wins Bid to Dismiss or Narrow Perjury Charges
Barry Bonds, Major League Baseball's all-time home-run leader, won a request to have US perjury charges against him dismissed or narrowed ...

Barry Bonds and the Tampa Bay Rays Still in Play?

Earlier this month, when we wrote the article "10 Reasons why Barry Bonds will join the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2008" - The Barry Bonds Trial blog received a great deal of attention throughout the blogsphere.

Now, the national media seems to have caught on and there is more buzz about Barry and the Rays. Did we mention we had inside information, or what?

Read on Barry readers -

SportingNews: Why the Rays should sign Barry Bonds

SI: Too Much Baggage

Agent: Barry Bonds is not retiring. He's not considering retiring

Barry Bonds wants to play in 2008

BY CHRISTIAN RED
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Have bat - and home run record. Will travel.

He's been indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. His age is nearly Jurassic for a ballplayer (he turns 44 on July 24) and his range in the outfield might be a tad better than Jason Giambi's.

Still, the man with 762 homers and seven MVP awards wants to play in the majors this season, which would mark his 23rd in the big leagues if he ever finds an employer.

"Barry is not retiring. He's not considering retiring," Jeff Borris, the agent for slugger Barry Bonds, told the Daily News on Wednesday. "If Barry's skills had eroded and he wasn't able to compete at the major league level, he would take off his own jersey."

NY Daily News

10 Reasons why Barry Bonds will join the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2008

10 Reasons why Barry Bonds will be a Tampa Bay Ray!

Yes, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays finished 66-96 (.407) during the 2007 MLB season, the worst team in the league (again), and an even 30 games behind the first place Boston Red Sox. But, so what? Do you think that Barry Bonds has never welcomed a challenge before in his life? Come on.

When Sosa and McGuire were launching home runs left and right, did Barry just say to himself "that's life, so be it"??? No he got busy and worked on solving the problem!

Hence, just ONE of the many reasons why Barry Bonds will be a Tampa Bay Devil Ray sooner than you can say "Grapefruit Baseball." Get ready Tampa Bay!

Here's why Barry will be a Ray:

10. Barry Bonds is a coastal guy; loves the water because it is good for his health (also; see #1)

9. Tampa Bay has openings in all positions, especially left field

8. Barry Bonds could play DH and LF and nobody will care one way or another (he'll bat twice, and nobody will care; once a cheater....)

7. Tampa Bay is not really a hockey or football town, it REALLY loves its BASEBALL!!! Honest!

6. ROI, return on investment: Barry Bonds will pay for himself in a week or 2

5. The scientologists in Clearwater can help him get clean and will provide him with a new view of reality

4. Bobby Bonds once mumbled to young Barry about all the classy bars and escorts there

3. Oakland doesn't want him and can't afford him

2. The Los Angeles Dodgers don't want him and can afford him

1. Tampa Bay is on the water and Barry Bonds may need a quick escape route if the heat is on!

Look, Andy Pettitte recently apologized to the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and his fans for the "embarrassment" he caused them by taking that human growth stuff. Listen, Tampa Bay fans! Barry Bonds will never, never put you through any of this nonsense. He'll never apologize for anything! He'll keep his honor and yours as well. He'll be a great Devil Ray and you'll love him for it. Get ready.

Words and more words in the Barry Bonds case

Word games in Bonds case

Was Barry Bonds tripped up by "fundamentally" ambiguous questions, or were the questions just ambiguous?

The answer to this word game may provide a preview of future courtroom battles if this highly anticipated perjury case ever does go to trial.

The case against Barry Bonds just got a little fuzzier: The prosecution virtually conceded in a Valentine's Day response to a defense motion to dismiss the indictment that it asked the slugger confusing and often ambiguous either/or questions in the grand jury.


Yahoo! Sports

Confusion, then unconfusion with The Barry Bonds Case

Government urges judge to keep Bonds indictment on track
By PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press Writer
February 14, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A typo in court papers regarding Barry Bonds filed late Thursday by federal prosecutors touched off a brief tempest over the mistaken belief that he failed a drug test in November 2001, one month after breaking the home run record.

In fact, the government meant to reference a previously reported November 2000 failed drug test, U.S. attorney spokesman Josh Eaton said. That drug test was included in the indictment unsealed last year, when prosecutors said the test was for a player they called "Barry B."

The mistake prompted at least one erroneous report that was quickly posted to Web sites around the country.

About Jeff Novitzky (again)

Judge in Bonds case skeptical of Novitzky

Before a jury gets to decide if it believes Barry Bonds, the judge in the case may decide whether she believes Jeff Novitzky, the lead BALCO investigator.

Susan Ilston, the highly regarded district judge in the Bonds perjury case, is one of four federal judges who have condemned the tactics and questioned the candor of the indefatigable IRS agent Novitzky, according to a recent appellate decision.

Yahoo! Sports

The Padres and Barry Bonds? Probably not.

Padres say tainted Bonds in left would not be right

Barry Bonds is a perfect fit. That is, of course, if you happen to be looking for a bouncer.

He's muscular and menacing, intolerant and intimidating. He's the kind of guy who commands a wide berth and, potentially, a bedroom behind bars. If the job description calls for someone who can clear a room simply by clearing his throat, Bonds could be the ideal candidate.


San Diego Tribune

Sorry Barry, Billy Beane wants youth (without the baggage)

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane says the team's movement toward youth and development is a sign home run king Barry Bonds probably isn't in the plans.

Beane wouldn't comment directly on whether Bonds may join the A's when he spoke today at A's Fan Fest.

KESQ

Bonds' lawyers ask judge to trim indictment

Lawyers for Barry Bonds asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss part of his perjury indictment, saying prosecutors had asked the former Giants slugger "fundamentally ambiguous" questions when he testified before the grand jury investigating the BALCO steroids scandal.

In that 2003 hearing, Bonds told the grand jury under oath that he had never used a long list of banned drugs, including the undetectable steroid "the clear," and said he had not been given drugs by his trainer, Greg Anderson.

San Francisco Chronicle


related -

Bleacher Report

Now, the bill for the selling of a franchise's soul comes due

Bonds got the record last season. The Giants received eight consecutive seasons with an attendance of more than 3.1 million.

Now, the bill for the selling of a franchise's soul comes due.

SportingNews

Selig: Barry Bonds' team should have reported concerns about the hitter's personal trainer to Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, left, and Donald Fehr, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, are sworn in before testifying before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Miguel Tejada, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens

Congress Aims at Tejada, Clemens, Bonds

By HOWARD FENDRICH and JOSEPH WHITE

WASHINGTON (AP) — Taking on baseball's steroids problem once again, Congress kept the finger-pointing and tough questioning to a minimum. Maybe that's because the people under the most scrutiny this time — Miguel Tejada, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens — were nowhere to be seen.

Commissioner Bud Selig and union leader Donald Fehr accepted responsibility for the sport's drug boom and the author of the Mitchell Report defended his findings in the same wood-paneled House hearing room that hosted a far longer and far more contentious session in March 2005.

It didn't take long for the focus to shift to players Tuesday.

MLB looking at San Francisco Giants execs and officials

Baseball May Discipline Giants Hiding Drug Concerns

By Danielle Sessa

Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Baseball is considering discipline against San Francisco Giants executives and officials from other teams who may have failed to report suspected steroid use by players, Commissioner Bud Selig said.

Get your Official Barry Bonds bat and ball! Cheap!

Online bidding under way for Bonds' bat, No. 754 home run ball

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Online bidding began Tuesday for Barry Bonds' 754th home run ball along with the bat the home run king used between Nos. 754 and 755, the latter of which tied him with Hank Aaron.

Sotheby's/SCP Auctions will handle the sale of both items at www.scpauctions.com after also assuming the duties for the No. 755 ball and No. 756, which Bonds hit Aug. 7 to break Hammerin' Hank's 33-year-old record.


USAToday

MLB Trade Rumors - Barry Bonds

Slusser On Barry Bonds Possibilities

MLB Trade Rumors recently asked Susan Slusser (beat writer for the San Francisco Chronicle) a few questions regarding where Barry Bonds will end up during the 2008 MLB season:

MLBTR: Could you see any team beside the A's signing Barry Bonds? In your estimation, what's the most the A's would pay for a year of Bonds

Slusser: An insider told me at the winter meetings that two other teams besides the A's had asked about Bonds .....

MLB Trade Rumors

Wonder if Barry Bonds noticed what happened Friday (to Marion Jones)?

Jones' fate sends a message that many need to hear

Wonder if Barry Bonds noticed what happened Friday? Wonder if Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee and the cast from that new saga noticed?


USAToday

About Jeff Novitzky

Novitzky's reach extends from BALCO to Clemens
By Josh Peter, Yahoo! Sports


If the defamation lawsuit Roger Clemens filed against his former trainer proves one thing, it's this: Some of the most prominent people implicated in the ongoing steroids scandal have found a common target.

He stands 6 feet, 6 inches and sports a clean-shaven head.

He works for the Internal Revenue Service, though some might assume he is employed by the FBI or DEA.

He sifted through the trash outside the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative. And the evidence he collected set off a scandal that has called into question the reputations not only of Barry Bonds, Clemens and dozens of other athletes, but also his own.


Yahoo!Sports

Did Barry Bonds notice the Mark McGwire HOF vote count today?

2008 Baseball Hall of Fame Voting
January 8, 2008

Today, Rich "Goose" Gossage was elected Tuesday to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Below are the results of the balloting with 406 of the 543 votes (75 percent) required for
election:

Name/Ballots received/ Percentage

Rich Gossage 466 85.8
Jim Rice 392 72.2
Andre Dawson 358 65.9
Bert Blyleven 336 61.9
Lee Smith 235 43.3
Jack Morris 233 42.9
Tommy John 158 29.1
Tim Raines 132 24.3
Mark McGwire 128 23.6
Alan Trammell 99 18.2
Dave Concepcion 88 16.2
Don Mattingly 86 15.8
Dave Parker 82 15.1
Dale Murphy 75 13.8

updated -

Goose quote: "I think that if you did do performance-enhancing drugs, you need to come clean and put an end to this. Just fess up." [Rich "Goose" Gossage]

Barry Bonds - picking up the 2007 awards

Barry recently picked up the following awards:

Steve & the Tank: Barry Bonds, person of the year 2007


MSNBC: Whiner of the Year, Balco Barry Bonds


Epic Carnival's: Sports Clown of the Year (3rd place)

Barry Bonds - Select quotes of the past year

Barry Bonds made the "Select quotes of the year (2007)" list via the Detroit Free Press:

• “You mean that little midget man who absolutely knows (very little) about baseball, who never played the game before?" - Barry Bonds, asked about criticism of him on Bob Costas' HBO show.

• “I will never be in the Hall of Fame. Never. … I won't go. I won't be part of it, I won't be there, you can call me, but I won't be there.” - Barry Bonds, interviewed on MSNBC's “Countdown with Keith Olbermann,” on what he would do if the Baseball Hall of Fame accepts his record 756th home run ball marked with an asterisk.

Detroit Free Press