Saturday, September 14, 2013

Barry Bonds Guilty as Charged


This week a federal appeals court upheld Barry Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction.

If you remember, back in 2003, this charge was pertaining to the rambling and evasive grand jury testimony he gave (or evaded in giving) about performance enhancing drug use in major league baseball. His answers were so evasive, that you'd have to wonder if he was even listening to the questions. He started talking about his dad and the state of celebrity children as opposed to commenting about PED use.

This federal appeals conviction hold shouldnt' be that surprising.

What is surprising is that few people remember he barely escaped being convicted of a second charge. This was due to one hold out juror with some creative ways of applying her own unique view of the law and the justice system.

So where does barry goe from here? We have some thoughts

Stay tuned

But remember, Barry is now guilty. If you think that this was all smoke and no fire, than you are guilty of something as well. If you think he was innocent than you must think you can talk about anything you want to talk about in front of a federal grand jury.

Friday, September 13, 2013

MLB and the Steroids Era

Opinion: MLB's contention that it is attempting to rid the sport of steroids forever is a real reach (via NJ.com)

By Irwin S. Stoolmacher I’m not a huge fan of A-Rod. I have always found the Yankees’ third-baseman to be self-absorbed. However, I think Alex Rodriguez got a raw deal from Major League Baseball with regard to his proposed 211-game suspension. His…

A selection of Barry Bonds' comments regarding PED use:

  • "Doctors ought to quit worrying about what ballplayers are taking. What players take doesn't matter. It's nobody else's business. The doctors should spend their time looking for cures for cancer. It takes more than muscles to hit homers. If all those guys were using stuff, how come they're not all hitting homers?" -- May 21, 2002, Associated Press
  • "No. I don't have to [use steroids]. I mean, I'm a good enough ballplayer as it is. I don't need to be any better. I can't get any better at this age." -- June 2002, On the Record with Bob Costas
  • "I never asked. When he said it was flaxseed oil, I just said, 'Whatever.' It was in the ballpark.. in front of everybody. I mean, all the reporters, my teammates, I mean they all saw it. I didn't hide it." -- Dec. 4, 2003, during grand jury testimony, according to the San Francisco Chronicle
  • "I don't know Tim Montgomery. I've never met him. When accusations come from someone you don't even know, what can you do?" They'll be talking to my lawyer." -- June 25, 2004 to USA TODAY in response to allegations from a former world-class sprinter that he received steroids from BALCO
  • "All you guys lied! All of y'all and the story have lied. Should you have asterisks behind your name? All of you lied. All of you have said something wrong. All of you have dirt. When your closet's clean, then come clean somebody else's." -- Feb. 22, 2005, first public comments after testimony was leaked
  • "I don't know if steroids are going to help you in baseball. I just don't believe it. I don't believe steroids can help eye-hand coordination [and] technically hit a baseball." -- Feb. 22, 2005, first public comments after testimony was leaked
  • "You wanted me to jump off the bridge; I finally have jumped. You wanted to bring me down, you've finally brought me and my family down. You've finally done it. So now go kick a different person. I'm done. I'll do the best I can and that's about it. [I'm talking about] inner hurt. I'm physically, mentally done. I'm mentally drained. Tired of my kids crying." -- March 23, 2005 on MLB
  • "I went through the system. And that's what it is. And that's what I got. I went through the system. I'm in an appeal process right now. I was never convicted of steroids. Do I have any regrets? What happened happened. It's there. It is what it is. I live with it. I'm a convicted felon for obstruction of justice, and that's who I am. I live with it." -- May 29, 2012
  • "I gave my life and soul to that game. That's what's heartbreaking. That's the hard part of it." -- May 30, 2012 on MLB
  • "Not winning? [the 2002 World Series] It doesn't stick with me anymore. Right now, it's just good to see everyone and have a good time. Win or lost, it's nice just to come home and reminisce with each other." -- July 1, 2012
  • "Oh, without a doubt. There's not a doubt in my mind." -- August 6, 2012