Of the information, not the drugs, that is.
The San Francisco Chronicle, after announcing that it had (illegally) obtained Barry’s grand jury testimony, previously published questions asked of him while under oath, and his answers. Many of the assertions raised in this article were also previously mentioned. To that extent, this is simply a duplication of previously reported information.
Although most of the authors’ supposed 200 or so “sources” for this book remain anonymous, we know and understand that one of the most prominent sources is a woman who previously attempted to extort Barry for money, and who, after that failed, told Geraldo Rivera that she never saw Barry take illegal or performance-enhancing drugs, but explained that her source of knowledge supposedly came from conversations she had with him — conversations she intended to report in her soon-to-be published (and yet to be published) book.
Some of the other prominent but “anonymous sources” surfaced during the BALCO investigation, and we understand that reporting their identity would also expose their lack of credibility.
The exploitation of Barry’s good name and these attempts to eviscerate his sensational accomplishments in all phases of the game of baseball (throughout high school and college, as well as 20 years playing professionally) may make those responsible wealthy, but in the end, they need to live with themselves. Beyond this — Barry has no further comment now nor in the foreseeable future.
That’s gonna make for a very quiet reality show. Though “Barry Bonds In Total Silence” is the sort of title that I would surely notice while scanning through the TV listings.
I wasn’t anyone had challenged the Sultan Of Surly’s accomplishments prior to 1998, but I suppose I’ll have to read the book.
ESPN News was proudly reporting today that Shaun Assael has contradicted Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams insofar as Bonds was using andro as early as 1997. So was Mark McGwire, however, and at the point in time, neither slugger was in violation of baseball’s drug policy (as that deep thinker Todd Jones of all folks, reminded all of “Cold Pizza”‘s half dozen viewers earlier this morning).
Seriously, I’m disappointed that Barry won’t take on the witch hunters. A simple one sentence press release should do the trick : “I Was Jealous Of Brady Anderson.”
Look at his head. Seriously. Do we need any more proof here? His head is a complete abomination to the human body. Either he’s doing a lot of steroids (he seriously is) or his head is ridiculously in shape. I bet you Barry is the Hunter Thompson of steroid users where he tells you his “regimen” and you’re picking your jaw up off the floor and wondering how he’s still living. Here’s a good question: How many years will Barry be around to enjoy his retirement?
So what’s the real story about Bonds and steroids from this book? Everyone assumed he used steroids, he admitted using some “unknowingly,” and now the book accuses him of using LOTS of them knowingly. Is this the story that’s rocking baseball — after Giambi? Basically, we’re not talking if, we’re talking how much. Or knowingly and not knowingly? After a player is known to use, his record is tarnished. What difference does it make how much?
As far as Phil Rogers comments on Sosa goes, I used this forum to make the same argument last year when the needle users all sate before Congress and Sosa admitted nothing. Sosa is clearly the home run king. Rogers is not insane, he’s just stealing common sense talking points from a blog.
Ben
Cub fans have been grinding their teeth about Rogers for a while now, notwithstanding his recognition of Sosa as the last steroid-era slugger standing. He spends all winter hitting Jim Hendry for not trading Carlos Zambrano for Miguel Tejada (an absolute lunatic idea if there ever was one), and after Hendry wisely doesn’t do it, Rogers calls for…a contract extension for Hendry. Huh?