[Bonds, who never looked good in stripes, is a pardon possibility?]
Slate/Pro-Publica’s Dafna Linzer today handicaps the odds for final pardons to be given out by President Bush as he leaves office, and the list includes Olympic gold medalist Marion Jones, former SF Giant Barry Bonds, and former NFL player Michael Vicks. You expect Bush flunkies like Scooter Libby to get a pass, as I would Roger Clemens if he were on the list. But Bonds? Will Bush pardon Mark Cuban by Thanksgiving to un-back burner his bid for the Cubs? Not likely. As Ms. Linzer opines:
Michael Vick
The Atlanta Falcons’ suspended quarterback is serving a 23-month sentence in Leavenworth, Kan., for criminal conspiracy relating to dog fighting. Yuck. There just isn’t much of a pro dog-fighting lobby to pull for Vick.
Likelihood: No chance.
The former San Francisco Giants superstar who holds the MLB all-time record for home runs was indicted in November 2007 for lying about his involvement in a steroids scandal. Bonds became a free agent last year but has been unable to find a team willing to sign him while under indictment. As a former baseball team owner, Bush may be sympathetic to Bonds. But let’s be honest — who in baseball likes Barry?
Likelihood: Unlikely