BREAKING: Barry Bonds Indicted

[larrymcg421]

CNBC just reported that Barry Bonds has been indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice.

[MikeVic]

What does that mean?

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

What does that mean?

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

[MikeVic]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

Ohh ok. Will he get the asterisk now too?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

That people can rejoice because finally, America's Enemy #1 will be thrown in jail and have the book thrown at him, for his horrible, egregious crime against humanity.

Whether or not the crimes deserved this much attention from the feds or not, Bonds was given immunity and still decided to lie to the grand jury. He made his bed.

[Brillig]

Yeah, and his testimony was supposed to be confidential too, and we know how that worked out.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Brillig

Yeah, and his testimony was supposed to be confidential too, and we know how that worked out.

Wasn't the feds fault there. That was defense attourneys.

Doesn't change the fact that he could have walked away and not had to worry about the feds but instead decided to lie anyways.

[Young Drachma]

That Game of Shadows guy has really cashed in on this. ESPN hired him as a reporter.

[FBPro]

Yeah, I'm really broken up over it..........

[Kodos]

Perjuring yourself is always a good idea.

[Jas_lov]

Good.

[miami_fan]

The "Vick indicted" thread went for 23 pages.

What is the over/under on this one?

[MikeVic]

I think this topic has been talked about a lot already. I'll give the over/under at -5.5

[MrBug708]

Wasn't Rick Anderson released? He obviously talked because without him turning, the feds case was going to be hard to prove.

[EagleFan]

Wow, you mean Bonds lied about steroids? What next, we'll find out the sun is hot?

[TroyF]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

That Game of Shadows guy has really cashed in on this. ESPN hired him as a reporter.

Guess I'm trying to find where your frustration is coming here.

The Game of Shadows guy cashed in long before this. They were already respected newspaper reporters. ESPN is hiring him to talk about this because he has more information on Bonds than anyone other than Bonds himself or the federal investigators. ESPN is making a smart hire here.

As for Bonds, he lied to a grand jury. This isn't about some witch hunt. If you go lie to a grand jury tomorrow, you'll be facing the same perjury charges. If you know the feds are after you and you choose to lie to them, you can expect them to come after you. I don't care if you're Bonds, TroyF or Dark Cloud. All he has to do is prove reasonable doubt here. If he can do that, he'll be off and you can chastise all of us. He has one problem though: Take a peak at federal charges and how often they get convictions. Then take a peak at how often they get convictions when they actually go to trial. 90+% win rate. Bonds is in a world of trouble here.

[Buccaneer]

My intense dislike for Bonds goes back to about 1997 when in a long article, he dissed baseball and threatened to walk away from the game when he is done. Despite all of the crap Willie Mays had to endure, he became an ambassador for baseball. Bonds acted/acts like a sulking woman intersped with racist fits (as per the motivation for juicing up) that there can be little wonder he is so dislike, esp. after getting the money and, in certain quarters, the glory. It is my wish that he never gets more than 25% HOF votes, just like McGwire.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by TroyF

Guess I'm trying to find where your frustration is coming here.

The Game of Shadows guy cashed in long before this. They were already respected newspaper reporters. ESPN is hiring him to talk about this because he has more information on Bonds than anyone other than Bonds himself or the federal investigators. ESPN is making a smart hire here.

As for Bonds, he lied to a grand jury. This isn't about some witch hunt. If you go lie to a grand jury tomorrow, you'll be facing the same perjury charges. If you know the feds are after you and you choose to lie to them, you can expect them to come after you. I don't care if you're Bonds, TroyF or Dark Cloud. All he has to do is prove reasonable doubt here. If he can do that, he'll be off and you can chastise all of us. He has one problem though: Take a peak at federal charges and how often they get convictions. Then take a peak at how often they get convictions when they actually go to trial. 90+% win rate. Bonds is in a world of trouble here.

No one said I begrudged him for his success.

It was just an observation, since he was on ESPN at that moment and they announced that he was an investigative reporter for ESPN now. Given how much he's on, that would make sense.

Barry's made his own bed and now he has to lay in it. I don't hate him and I'm the first one to lament stupid athletes making poor decisions and then crying racism.

And that's despite my own personal feelings about this entire case.

[Young Drachma]

That said, it seems to me this thing stopped being an "investigation" a long time ago and turned into a witch hunt. And these reporters go on TV, they don't have semblance of objectivity and so, while the cult of personality reigns supreme in today's media..it doesn't mean I have to appreciate it, like it or respect what they do.

Because I don't. No more than I respect Bonds for ruining his own life in the public eye.

But it's not my problem, thank goodness.

[jeff061]

It really doesn't bother me if people lacking any morals or responsibility are crapping all over Bonds. No matter what their motives are.

[MizzouRah]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

Wow, you mean Bonds lied about steroids? What next, we'll find out the sun is hot?

If the sun could type it would say, "please stop causing problems".

[Maple Leafs]

Originally Posted by MikeVic

Ohh ok. Will he get the asterisk now too?

No, but his cell mate will be getting a new ass-to-rip.

[sterlingice]

As an aside, in a half year, is this thread still going to be called "BREAKING" like when Headline News calls has the banner "Breaking News" around some minor update 183 days after the fact for a story about an attractive woman who went missing and police just found her cell phone or something?


SI

[Toddzilla]

Holy crap! Who saw that coming?

x 1,000,000

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Wasn't Rick Anderson released? He obviously talked because without him turning, the feds case was going to be hard to prove.

Yes, in a stunning coincidence, Greg Anderson was released the day Bonds was indicted.

As for the case, according to legal experts I've heard speak, they had enough to get a conviction without Anderson but if they could get him to testify then it becomes a no-brainer.

All of that was based on the assumption that the paper trail that is discussed in Game of Shadows was correct.

[14ers]

A month after being released by San Francisco, Barry Bonds is indicted on 3 year old charges? Coencidence, I think not!



This has corruption written all over it. Someone in San Francisco managed to have this burried for 3 years. When this case goes before a jury, Barry's attourneys will be throwing the facts out the window and be pointing the finger at everyone that had this case delayed so Bonds could continue to play for the Giants.

[Buccaneer]

"Someone in San Francisco" meaning the Giants organization?

[Rizon]

In other surprising news: Lance Bass is gay.

[Philliesfan980]

I just have a weird feeling that no matter what, he doesn't do a day of jail time. Does anyone else feel the same way?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Philliesfan980

I just have a weird feeling that no matter what, he doesn't do a day of jail time. Does anyone else feel the same way?

Easiest call ever.

[Young Drachma]

Roger Cossack seems way too happy about this.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Originally Posted by 14ers

A month after being released by San Francisco, Barry Bonds is indicted on 3 year old charges? Coencidence, I think not!



This has corruption written all over it. Someone in San Francisco managed to have this burried for 3 years. When this case goes before a jury, Barry's attourneys will be throwing the facts out the window and be pointing the finger at everyone that had this case delayed so Bonds could continue to play for the Giants.

Look no farther than the former local US Attorney there and Alberto G. The local guy was one of the 9 ditched by Bush and Alberto is now gone. The probe was initially started by Ashcroft's office, and they were gung ho about it apparently. Things kind of died on the vine under Alberto.

I don't by any means say there was corruption just a different set of priorities by the people at DOJ.

[14ers]

Getting back to the MLB; I wonder what the odds are that Barry Bonds could be looking at a possible Lifetime Ban?

If Bonds lied to Bud Selig in those meeting about Balco and his steroid use and hampered MLB's own investigation by lying, or worse yet, providing Balco with information from his metting with the MLB, could he be facing the same fate as shoeless Joe Jackson?

[Brillig]

That would require Selig to grow a spine.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by 14ers

Getting back to the MLB; I wonder what the odds are that Barry Bonds could be looking at a possible Lifetime Ban?

If Bonds lied to Bud Selig in those meeting about Balco and his steroid use and hampered MLB's own investigation by lying, or worse yet, providing Balco with information from his metting with the MLB, could he be facing the same fate as shoeless Joe Jackson?

Why? He is a free agent right now and after this indictment no one is signing him. I suspect he will announce his retirement so that he can "devote all his time and energy to vigorously defend himself against this false charges."

I wonder how this affects the Mitchell report.

[SirFozzie]

BTW, on ESPN News on the way home from work, I listened to Stephen A Smith basically come just about this close to calling it a lynching, and a racial hate crime. What a fucking twit.

[Buccaneer]

This is very cool. All traces of Bonds erased from AT&T Park (from the local NBC station).

SAN FRANCISCO -- It didn’t matter if it said "PacBell," "SBC," or "AT&T" on the outside; to many San Francisco Giants fans, the ballpark on the city’s waterfront was always known as "The House That Barry Built."

But now, less than a year removed from Barry Bonds’ setting of the all-time, home-run record, the average fan will have a hard to finding evidence that the slugger ever played there. His name, his image, as well as any mention of his feat, have been scrubbed from AT&T Park.

Wednesday was Media Day at the ballpark; a chance for reporters and photographers to get a look at what changes have been made to the stadium since last season. The NBC11 photographer who attended the event said biggest change was what’s no longer there.


During the run-up to the home-run record last season, there were multiple banners hanging around the ballpark celebrating the chase. There was also a mural featuring Bonds running the length of the left field wall. All that is gone. There is not a single visible reference, not even a small plaque, commemorating the accomplishment.

Bonds, who played left field for the Giants for 15 years, broke Henry Aaron’s home run record when he hit number 756 on August 7, 2007.

Bonds was not re-signed by the club after the 2007 season. Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, has been quoted as saying Bonds has not retired and would still like to play, but no team has signed him for the 2008 season.


For all his success on the field and in the batter’s box, though, Bonds tenure with the Giants was highly controversial. For years, Bonds has been dogged by allegations of steroid use, and was recently indicted on charges he lied to a federal grand jury about the matter.


If the stadium is any sign, it appears the Giants would like the make their separation from Bonds as clean and as clear as possible.

[Lathum]

Pretty low class move by the Giants IMO

[rowech]

I hate Bonds more than anybody but it's total bullshit what the Giants are doing. They praised him, embraced him, and most importantly made a boatload of money because of him. They used him and then they want to pretend they weren't part of it. Give me a break. I have no respect for that team.

[jeff061]

I'm ok with the Giants doing it. I don't care how much money he made them. I want everyone disowning that asshole.

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around and stayed behind that putz, no?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by jeff061

I'm ok with the Giants doing it. I don't care how much money he made them. I want everyone disowning that asshole.

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around stayed behind that putz, no?

you act like he is the only one who is guilty.

I am by no means a Bonds fan or defending him, but there are alot of other players just as guilty. Probably some on your favorite team.

[jeff061]

No I don't. My feelings would extend to anyone else, especially on the Sox. I couldn't root for them if I knew otherwise.

That said, Bonds being such a dick just adds that little extra something special.

[Bad-example]

That article was written in March I am guessing. I recall a Chronicle columnist bashing the Giants over this issue about the same time. I don't think the Giants are doing anything wrong here. They marketed the hell out of Barry while he was on the team. Now that he is gone but not officially retired, it makes sense they would do away with the Bonds marketing stuff and move on to the current task of promoting this year's team.

Once Barry's legal and employment situations become settled, I fully expect the Giants will honor Bonds with a day where they dedicate a plaque or bust or some such. But that is the sort of thing that only happens after a player is retired and has come to an amicable understanding (read: $$) with the club.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

Once Barry's legal and employment situations become settled, I fully expect the Giants will honor Bonds with a day where they dedicate a plaque or bust or some such. But that is the sort of thing that only happens after a player is retired and has come to an amicable understanding (read: $$) with the club.

I would expect that as well.

[Bad-example]

Originally Posted by jeff061

I am surprised though, I thought Giants fans had all rallied around and stayed behind that putz, no?

Indeed. We had a meeting and decided to put up a front of unity for him.

[jeff061]

I don't know about the meeting, I didn't get the invite, but the latter seemed to be true over the course of the last couple seasons.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Lathum

you act like he is the only one who is guilty.

I am by no means a Bonds fan or defending him, but there are alot of other players just as guilty. Probably some on your favorite team.

You don't see the same gnashing of teeth over Clemens by Sox fans (and I'd say Clemens is getting similar treatment to Bonds) because they disowned him a LONG time ago...

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

You don't see the same gnashing of teeth over Clemens by Sox fans (and I'd say Clemens is getting similar treatment to Bonds) because they disowned him a LONG time ago...

Only because of the way he jumped ship. Not because of his steroids stuff. Wait till it comes out that Ortiz was on the roids .

[Passacaglia]

So...what did he indicate?

[molson]

If you believe everyone is on steroids, you'd be right more than not.

Much like market disparity, I've given up and have decided not to give a shit anymore. The MLB product is what it is, and I still enjoy it. Actually, I enjoy it more without getting all upset about crap like 'roids all the time.