In a trial filled with lurid testimony about sexual dysfunction and steroid rage, Barry Bonds was found guilty only of obstruction of justice. The jury could not reach a decision on the three other counts of perjury.
The guilty verdict means that baseball’s home run king hindered a grand jury investigation into performance enhancing drugs. Sentencing could still be another two weeks away though Bonds’ legal team says it will appeal the guilty verdict. The baseball star with the prickly personality has to be pleased with the overall outcome.
Baseball cannot escape the shadow of the steroid era. Just last week, slugger Manny Ramirez failed a drug test and elected to retire rather than face the mandatory 100-game suspension.
Arguably the best pitcher of the steroid era, Roger Clemens, is up next. He’s been charged with one count of obstruction of Congress, three counts of making false statements, and two counts of perjury. All of this is in connection with his testimony to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in February of 2008.
The two trials hold similarities, but also glaring differences. Bonds’ former trainer, Greg Anderson repeatedly refused to testify in favor of going to jail for contempt of court. Clemens’ former personal trainer, Brian McNamee has already led the accusations against the seven-time Cy Young Award winner.
Also, while admitting to steroid use, Bonds held firm that he never knowingly used any performance-enhancing drugs. The seven-time Most Valuable player maintained instead that he thought he was taking flaxseed oil.
From the start, Clemens has denied the use of any steroids.
With Bonds’ trial over, Ramirez leaving the game, and Clemens trial to begin sometime in July, the steroid era remains front-page news.
As for Hall of Fame voting, the baseball writers who cast such votes have made it clear – they do not support players who cheated even if the players have career numbers previously thought to be worthy of induction.
Mark McGwire, at one time thought to be a lock for Cooperstown, received less than 20% of the vote this year. Rafael Palmiero, who surpassed two Hall of Fame benchmark statistics – 3,000 hits and 500 home runs – garnered a mere 11%. Both players seem nowhere near gaining the required 75% of the vote required for election.
The legacy of the steroid era has not yet been determined. It’s safe to say more negativity is on the horizon for baseball and commissioner Bud Selig.
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