Bonds relieved not to be indicted
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Barry Bonds expressed “relief” that the federal grand jury considering possible perjury and tax-evasion charges against him expired without an indictment. The San Francisco slugger, who hit his 722nd career home run Thursday night in a win against the San Diego Padres, declined to talk to reporters Thursday only hours after federal prosecutors decided not to indict him for now, but he made a journal entry on his personal Web site.
“First off, I would like to say that what happened today is not a moment of joy for me, but one of temporary relief,” Bonds said in his latest posting on www.barrybonds.com. “This has been an issue that has surrounded me for the past three years and I hope that this is the end. …
“An investigation happened and hopefully it is over. I do want to make it clear that there are no hard feelings for the legal process, but I feel there comes a point where everyone needs to move on.”
The investigation into Bonds is still ongoing, but it now appears less likely that an indictment would have an impact on Bonds and the Giants this season, which could be his last in San Francisco after 14 years with the club.
In 2003, Bonds testified before the original BALCO grand jury that he thought substances given to him by his personal trainer, Greg Anderson, were arthritis balm and flaxseed oil. Authorities suspect Bonds was lying and that those items were “the clear” and “the cream” – two performance-enhancing drugs tied to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, the lab exposed as a steroids supplier to top athletes in baseball, track and other sports.
“There are so many people I would like to thank for their support. First and foremost, my family and friends,” Bonds wrote. “Your support has been constant and unwavering.”
Bonds is in the final season of a $90 million, five-year contract with the Giants and knows he might be headed to the American League as a designated hitter next year.
The seven-time NL MVP passed Babe Ruth for second place on baseball’s career list May 28 and is within 33 home runs of tying Hank Aaron’s all-time record of 755 after hitting his 14th homer of the season Thursday – his second since the All-Star break.