Barry Bonds: Obstruction verdict

6 thoughts on “Barry Bonds: Obstruction verdict”

1. Justice was done. No matter how much it stinks the dude is a felon now. No HoF, and a legacy of “yuk” which will out live Mr. Bonds.

2. I never got why Barry got all the heat for Steroids. When McGwire and Sosa were ripping off their home run duel, the media were treating them like the saviors of baseball – even though it was obvious that both were juicing.

   Bonds’ aggrivating circumstance: he was a jerk, especially to reporters – who often double as columnists and odious talking heads, and therefore set the prevailing perception of the average sports fan. When athletes who are presented as nice, smiling and wholesome (Like, well, almost every other player caught in the scandal was), they are given the benefit of a doubt or aren’t as hounded. Let’s face it: of all the people in the Steroid Scandal, Barry Bonds was the most scrutinized and demonized – although his misdeeds were scarcely greater than those of his contemporaries.

   People often act surprised and disheartened when they learn that their favorite athlete may not be a nice guy (or girl, even), but part of the mentality of a highly competitive person (as nearly all athletes must be) can lead to them saying, doing or carrying themselves in a way that exudes jerkiness. This certainly isn’t always the rule, nor does it tell the whole story as to their personal psyche (many athletes, and often the jerks, are also very active and generous with charities). But the fact is, Great Athletes don’t often make Great People.

   I’d never tell my kid to copy Barry Bonds’ life. I would, however, tell him to copy his swing and stance.

3. Dear Drew,

   I can sum up my feelings about the trial in one word. “Befuddled”.. I can’t figure out how on one hand they jury said he was guilty of obstruction of justice yet at the same time have a hung jury on the points he was obstructing justice about?

   Now I will admit I only followed the trial in the most casual of terms. However I’ll be danged if i can reconcile the verdicts in a way that would make sense to me. It reminds me of an old “Laugh-In” skit. Henry Gibson was before a judge who pronouned him “not guilty” of stealing which led Gibson to respond,”Does that mean I don’t have to give back the stuff I stole?”

   All the best

   Louis

4. Good Morning from Omaha,

   Lousy t shirt indeed! It took one younger juror to hang it all up. they probably couldn’t get this verdict if they had not negotiated amongst the jury, out of the ear of the judges and attorneys. It sounds a little like the first OJ trial where there was DNA evidence that showed the chances of someone else committing the crime were 1 in several billion, and either because the jury didn’t understand DNA or like the old joke about the pretty girl and the nerd with her telling him she wouldn’t date him if he were the last guy on earth, he would say,”so theres still a chance!”.

   No one went into this trial with clean hands. Bonds hands were dirty, of course, and all of the prosecutions witnesses seemingly had exes to grind with the defendant. It just took one juror to seemingly impede justice. IF barry did the steroids, as alleged , the consequences will be obvious as in Lyle Alzado, who died to young and blamed his use of these drugs for his illness. and the countless professional rasslers , college and high school football players all who have passed too soon because they wanted to artificially be able to jump higher and run faster.

   Enough of the soap box. The ultimate verdict for Bonds will be his deteriorating health and early death all so he could hit over 700 homeruns, which in the long run, after all the allegations means NOTHING!

   STrive for excellence, nothing but your best.

   Gene

5. This was a “befuddling” verdict and the defense is looking very hard at how the jury came to this verdict. I am wondering just how much of tax payer money the prosecution wasted for this pyrrhic victory.

   Baseball should just acknowledge, in the HOF, the “Steroid Era” and that it impacted baseball to an unknown degree. We will never know exactly who did steroids and how long each player were using them and just move on. If the sports writers insist on applying a morals litmus test to the “Steroid Era” players then they must apply that morals test to all members already in the HOF. Anyone that fails is booted out, no exceptions. Only “thos that can walk on water” should be in the HOF.

   Keep those pencils sharp.

6. If there’s ever a case where someone will be kept out of the Hall of Fame just for being a jerk, it’s Bonds. Really the verdict is a joke, but I don’t care. He has his money and doesn’t need to work assuming he wasn’t too stupid with it. The only thing really left is getting into the Hall of Fame.

   I don’t see that happening. At best he’ll be kept out a year like Roberto Alomar.