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Shortly after the market closed today, I got one of my familiar MarketWatch.com bulletins in my in-box. But it wasn't concerning after-hours earnings or the Dow's (latest) triple-digit drop. Rather, it simply stated: "Home-run king Barry Bonds indicted on perjury, obstruction of justice charges." Yowsa. While everyone always just assumed Bonds used the juice at some point in his career, I think this comes as a surprise to many sports fans. A federal grand jury has accused Bonds of lying under oath when he said he was unaware that substances handed out by personal trainer Greg Anderson were steroids. Bonds has also maintained that he did not use steroids in 2001, as he chased the single-season home-run record, then held by Mark McGwire.
According to MarketWatch, John Burris, "one of" Bonds' lawyers, told San Francisco radio station KCBS the Bonds would plead "not guilty." Burris also asserted that Bonds "will be found not guilty." Burris says the indictment was a shock, as the government doesn't have proper evidence to bring such a claim.
Guess the public's decision to brand that 756th baseball is looking pretty smart right now. Whether or not Bonds is indeed found guilty, this indictment further tarnishes his credibility, which was shaky at best.
As Allan Kreda pointed out earlier this year, Bonds faces a challenging financial future. His hubris and his cold attitude toward the media and toward humanity in general hasn't earned him many endorsement gigs. And while his career earnings are in the $200 million neighborhood, as Allan predicted way back then: "But with potential legal bills mounting, Bonds is probably saving every penny he can. He still may be indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of perjury..."
And, in fact, here we are. Smell that, folks? It's a little thing I call schadenfreude, and there's no way I'm the only one sensing it. I hate to be smug about this whole business, but cheaters never win, and if cheating's been happening, and having a direct impact on the national pastime's record books, I hope we get down to the bottom of it.
Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-16-2007 @ 8:51AM
willowreed said...
I am glad he is in trouble. I think that what he did is a disgrace to the "sport" of baseball. I don't even LIKE baseball. Steroids in sports is stupid, either they all do it or nobody is allowed to do it, that is how it should be. Apples with apples is the only fair way to play.
11-16-2007 @ 9:09AM
shawnmm said...
I agree that steroid use in sports is past stupidity. I think the consequences aren't worth the results from the use. However, 30 yrs. in jail or prison is outrageous don't you think? This guy didn't commit murder! Mark Mcguire used steriods as well, who was once the all-time hitter in a single season. But you don't see him getting indicted, do you!?
11-18-2007 @ 10:42PM
Tasha said...
What people seem to be missing is that he is being indited for lying, NOT for steroids use. McGuire isn't in prison, for the simple reason that he didn't lie to a Grand Jury.
If Barry would have told the truth, we would have gotten the same slap on the wrist as the rest of the players got. Then he could have gotten on with his career.
11-16-2007 @ 12:07PM
Jim Cook said...
Here's what Barry's HOF exhibit might look like (cartoon):
http://toonrefugee.com/toonblog/steroids-and-drugs-in-sports/barry-bonds-hof/125
11-16-2007 @ 5:10PM
Anna said...
My God!!! What is this country coming to? Bush Cheney Rumsfeld getting away with warcrimes..Enron? Halliburton...the list goes on and they want to send a man to prison who hurt NO-ONE...This makes me sick to the stomach... WAKE UP AMERICA...
12-10-2007 @ 1:46PM
Gloria said...
Stop hating white people. I am a Registered Nurse and I take dead bodies to the morgue often. The white bodies don't say to the black bodies, get away from me. Your spirit goes back to God who made us all. God will judge your hate and the way you treated people. But then again some of you don't care about God because you get everything handed to you. But when you Cancer then you remember to pray and call your church. But that is too late. All the hating you did is what is remembered. Blacks attend your funeral and remember your hateful comments on blogs like this one. We all know that blacks are given stiffer sentences than whites. Whites come to see black pros play at national games but laugh when they fall. That is why I teach my sons (12 and 14) about the white man's hatred. I tell them to never trust white people. Never let them befriend you. Never let them into your house or business. They will turn on you. They are selfish and killed the Indians, Mexicans, Africans, etc. But God said the last will be first and the first will be last at the End of the World. The bible can't lie. Yes they give unfair sentencing because you get white policemen, white jury, white judge, white internet forum that hate blacks writing here). Unfair sentencing-That is no secret. But one day white judges will be judged. Yes Judges will be judged by the Almighty Juddge. That is God. Yes there is a Real God and you will meet HIM SOON! Have a nice day!
12-12-2007 @ 2:17PM
Jhon said...
I'am a president at a bank and i think gloria is very dumb is not even about racism is about the drugs. you see bonds wants to take drugs and hit home runs but thats not the way to do it and i feel good his going to be in jail and also who ever he passed bull he didn't pass them the steroids passed the leading home runners they should not even count the home runs...and 30 years thats very good and well deserved..."have a nice day"