That’s the headline I never thought I’d see. Here’s what Bonds is charged with:

Baseball superstar Barry Bonds was charged Thursday with perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying when he said he did not use performance-enhancing drugs.

Here’s the link to the actual indictment. Here’s some of Bonds’ grand jury testimony:

Q: I know the answer - - let me ask you this again. I know we kind of got the into this. Let me be real clear about this. Did he [Anderson] ever give you anything that you knew to be a steroid? Did he ever give a steroid?
A: I don’t think Greg would do anything like that to me and jeopardize our friendship. I just don’t think he would do that.
Q: Well, when you say you don’t think he would do that, to your knowledge, 1 mean, did you ever take any steroids that he gave you?
(a) A: Not that I know of.
…………………………..
Q: Okay. So, 1 got to ask, Mr. Bonds. There’s this number associated on a document with your name, and corresponding to Barry B. on the other document, and it does have these two listed anabolic steroids as testing positive in connection with it. Do you follow my question?
A: I follow where you’re going, yeah.
Q: So, 1 guess I got to ask the question again, I mean, did you take steroids? And specifically this test is in November, 2000. So I’m going to ask you in the days and weeks leading up to November, 2000, were you taking steroids–
A: No.
Q: - - or anything like that?
A: No, 1 wasn’t at all. I’ve never seen these documents. I’ve never seen these papers.
Q: So, starting in December 2001, on this page. again, there’s BB here, which obviously are consistent with your initials; correct?
A: He could know other BBs.
Q: Correct. But BB would also be your initials; is that correct.
A: That’s correct.
Q: In January 2001 were you taking either the flax seed oil or the cream?
A: No.
Q: And were you taking any other steroids?
(e) A: No.

The White House issued this statement after Bonds’ indictment broke:

President Bush, a former baseball team owner who has spoken against steroid use,
is “very disappointed to hear this,” said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. “As this case is now in the criminal justice system, we will refrain from any further specific comments about it. But clearly this is a sad day for baseball.”

If they’re able to convict Bonds on these charges, his single season home run record could be wiped out. If that happens, Bonds would be well short of Hank Aaron’s record, which would put a big smile on my face.

Technorati Tags: Barry Bonds, BALCO, Steroids, Grand Jury, Indictments, Perjury, Obstruction of Justice, Hank Aaron, Testimony, Immunity, MLB

Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog

1. The ‘cost’ of risky subversion.

   Comment by John Houghton — November 15, 2007 @ 7:17 pm

2. part1)The worst thing Barry Bonds could do is listen to Gary Radnich and others who already have him tried and convicted, based on allegations, and no proof, nor Barry admitting to anything. I’m not even a fan of Barry Bonds, and think he should have stayed on the field for the fan party held to celebrate his record breaking Home Run; however that’s a separate issue, and it’s plain to see that the Government is using the tired old Martha Stewart ploy of acquisition of perjury with the hopes that Barry Bonds will now recant what he testified to earlier at the Grand Jury. Barry needs to keep consistent with his earlier Grand Jury statements to the tee, and he’ll be home in time for dinner. If he changes one thing he said previously, than he’ll be getting three hots and a cot for a long long time. Remember… the government and others can think what they want about weather Barry took steroids or not, and I’m not even sure if he did; however proving whether he did or not, is quite another thing. If Barry where taking various legal vitamin regiments while maintaining that he was not aware that he was taking any illegal substances, than it’s game over for the governments case, as it’s weak, weak, weak, weak, weak, to the point of being almost laughable; however it’s humorous to see how the media is buying into the governments trap and treating Barry like he lied when that’s not been proven one iota.

   Comment by Anonymous — November 16, 2007 @ 1:22 am

3. part2)been proven one iota. No matter how much documentation, appointment, calendar paperwork the government has, it could apply to all the legal substance appointments that Barry and others kept, which would make his Grand Jury testimony sound, unless he were stupid enough to change it for any reason. P.S To Barry; learn some etiquette and treat your fans better, and although this fan is unable to give any legal advice, and none of the above is to be construed as such, your legal team might wish to read this post A.S.A.P. Good Luck …

   Comment by Anonymous — November 16, 2007 @ 1:23 am

4. So who cares about that walking chemical cocktail who is so self-centered he doesn’t understand it’s ultimately the public who overpays him?

   Instead of Bay Area Balloonhead, OJ, Specter and all the rest of the gaudy freaks, why not focus on something that means something to real people.

   Sorry, just aggravated.

   Comment by Carlos — November 16, 2007 @ 10:07 am