Barry Bonds’ Actions Receive Consequences

Barry Bonds’ obituary is written. Upon his death, the initial sentences will be unfavorable and unflattering. Bonds cheated. Deceitfully and knowingly, one of the game's would have been greatest players engaged in a variety of acts which have stained the game.

On Thursday, Bonds was indicted. Bonds was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice. The potential federal penalties? Thirty years incarceration. “During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes,” the indictment read.

Predictably, Bonds’ reaction was flippant. “We will no doubt have more specific comments in the very near future once we have had the opportunity to actually see this indictment that took so long to generate,” said Bonds’ Attorney Michael Rains. “All you need to know about the government's case is that they leaked an official indictment to every media outlet in America and withheld it from Barry, his lawyer, and everyone else who could read it and defend him.”

Commissioner Bud Selig’s reaction was severe. “I have yet to see the details of this indictment and while everyone in America is considered innocent until proven guilty, I take this indictment very seriously and will follow its progress closely,” Selig said.

In 1998, Bonds joined the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative (BALCO). On September 3, 2003, BALCO was raided. On October 23, 2003, a grand jury was impaneled. On December 4, 2003, Bonds testified. He denied steroid use. On February 12, 2004, BALCO Founder Victor Conte was indicted. On March 4, 2005, Bonds testimony was leaked. On July 15, 2005, Conte and Greg Anderson (Barry Bonds personal trainer) plead guilty. On March 23, 2006, Game of Shadows was published. On March 30, 2006, Senator George Mitchell’s investigation commenced. On August 7, 2007, Bonds registered his 756th home run. On September 20, 2007, the San Francisco Giants discarded Bonds.

During his obscured career, Bonds batted .298 with 762 home runs and 1,996 runs batted in. From 1986-1999, Bonds averaged 31.7 home runs and 92.8 runs batted in. From 2000-2007, Bonds averaged 39.6 home runs and 87.1 runs batted in. During the previous three seasons, Bonds played only 270 contests.

On Thursday, Anderson was freed. Sadly, the aforesaid is a footnote. Once again, Bonds has swallowed the news. His actions’ consequences have embarrassed baseball. Bonds should be ashamed. Pathetically, his arrogance precludes this.