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[Submissionist]

SAN FRANCISCO (Nov. 15) - Barry Bonds, baseball's home run king, was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice Thursday and could face prison instead of the Hall of Fame for telling a federal grand jury he did not knowingly use performance-enhancing drugs.

The indictment, culminating a four-year investigation into steroid use by elite athletes, charged Bonds with four counts of perjury and one of obstruction of justice. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Shortly after the indictment was handed up, Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, was ordered released after spending most of the past year in prison for refusing to testify against his longtime friend.

"During the criminal investigation, evidence was obtained including positive tests for the presence of anabolic steroids and other performance enhancing substances for Bonds and other athletes," the indictment said.

In August, when the 43-year-old Bonds passed Hank Aaron to become baseball's career home run leader, he flatly rejected any suggestion that this milestone was stained by steroids.

"This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period," Bonds said.

Bonds finished the year with 762 homers, seven more than Aaron, and is currently a free agent. In 2001, he set the season record with 73 home runs.

Late in the season, the San Francisco Giants told the seven-time National League MVP they didn't want him back next year.

Bonds could not immediately be reached for comment. One of his attorneys, John Burris, didn't know of the indictment before being alerted by The Associated Press and said he would call Bonds to notify him.

"I'm surprised," Burris said, "but there's been an effort to get Barry for a long time. I'm curious what evidence they have now they didn't have before."

Bonds' defense attorney, Mike Rains, declined comment because he hadn't seen a copy of the indictment.

"However, it goes without saying that we look forward to rebutting these unsupported charges in court," Rains said. "We will no doubt have more specific comments in the very near future once we have had the opportunity to actually see this indictment that took so long to generate."

Bonds is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Dec. 7

Bonds has never been identified by Major League Baseball as testing positive for steroids.

"I have yet to see the details of this indictment and while everyone in America is considered innocent until proven guilty, I take this indictment very seriously and will follow its progress closely," commissioner Bud Selig said.

Union head Donald Fehr said he was "saddened" to learn of Bonds' indictment.

"However, we must remember, as the U.S. Attorney stated in his press release today, that an indictment contains only allegations, and in this country every defendant, including Barry Bonds, is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless and until such time as he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

The White House weighed in, too.

"The president is very disappointed to hear this," Bush spokesman Tony Fratto said. "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."

Bush, who once owned the Texas Rangers, called Bonds to congratulate him in August when the Giants' outfielder broke the home run mark. "You've always been a great hitter and you broke a great record," Bush said at the time.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who is investigating drug use in baseball, declined comment. So did Hall of Fame vice president Jeff Idelson.

Bonds was charged in the indictment with lying when he said he didn't knowingly take steroids given to him by Anderson. Bonds is also charged with lying that Anderson never injected him with steroids.

"Greg wouldn't do that," Bonds testified in December 2003 when asked if Anderson ever gave him any drugs that needed to be injected. "He knows I'm against that stuff."

Anderson's attorney, Mark Geragos, said the trainer didn't cooperate with the grand jury that indicted Bonds.

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[Dork8503]

Bonds will walk.

I see they have nothing better to do, like go after huge drug dealers, murderers shit like that.

Fucking people.

[baba]

I don't think he'll do any time either. He's kinda an ass, and definitely a roider, but I can't see him doing a single day inside.

He might even keep playing somewhere.

[Mac]

Fuck Bonds, he's a twat!

[kickass32]

Originally Posted by Mac

Fuck Bonds, he's a twat!

Second that!!!

[TeddyDaBear]

I hope he takes the Washington Wild Things up on their contract offer.. LOL at 1,200 bucks a week.

[eazye76]

I feel the same way about Barry as the rest of you guys, but to me it's not about the jailtime. I think it's more about history. His punishment is going to a big fat astrisk next to his record - if he is able to keep it. Before the indictment he was going to go down in history as an alleged cheater/steroid user. Now even if he doesn't get convicted, this shit is going to stick to him(like stink on shit).

When Barry broke the record didn't he say something like - "This record is not tainted... period". That statement is even more ridiculous now than it was when he said it.

[Severn]

I think the league should go after other players the same way it went after Barry. Sosa and Mark McGuire also deserves their fair share of shit. I mean EVERYONE, even Brady Anderson who was second baseman for the Orioles back then who hit 50 home runs. It's not fair to use only ONE MAN as a scapegoat for the whole era.

The steroid era didn't start with Barry Bonds. The home run chase between Sosa and McGuire did and baseball turned a blind eye to them because they helped "save" baseball after the strike.

If Barry Bonds goes down then so should everyone else.

[kickass32]

I agree, but I think the difference here is that those guys never lied under oath to a grand jury.

[Severn]

Originally Posted by kickass32

I agree, but I think the difference here is that those guys never lied under oath to a grand jury.

True and that is important as that's the actual charge against him. However seeing Sammy forget to speak English and Mark McGuire stammer on the questions of steroid use in front of congress can't be ignored either.