Barry Bonds

] The ball was hit an estimated 445 feet (140 m) into center field where it went through the hands of several fans but then fell onto an elevated platform in center field. Then it rolled off the platform where Andrew Morbitzer, a 38-year-old San Francisco resident, caught the ball while he was in line at a concession stand. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/29/MNG17J42R61.DTL|title=THE BALL:He went for peanuts, and came back with a chance for a fortune|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-05-29|author=Estrella, Cicero A., and Tanya Schevitz|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle] Mysteriously, radio broadcaster Dave Flemming's radio play-by-play of the home run went silent just as the ball was hit, apparently from a microphone failure. But the televised version, called by Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper, was not affected. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2461761|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=2006-05-29|title=Giants' radio call cuts out just as Bonds hits No. 715|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures]

On September 22, 2006, Bonds tied Henry Aaron's National League career home run record of 733. The home run came in the top of the 6th inning of a high-scoring game against the Milwaukee Brewers, at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The achievement was notable for its occurrence in the very city where Aaron began (with the Milwaukee Braves) and concluded (with the Brewers, then in the American League) his career. With the Giants trailing 10–8, Bonds hit a blast to deep center field on a 2–0 pitch off the Brewers' Chris Spurling with runners on first and second and one out. Though the Giants were at the time clinging to only a slim chance of making the playoffs, Bonds' home run provided the additional drama of giving the Giants an 11–10 lead late in a critical game in the final days of a pennant race. The Brewers eventually won the game, 13–12, despite Bonds' going 3 for 5, with 2 doubles, the record-tying home run, and 6 runs batted in. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260922108|accessdate=2007-07-02|date=2006-09-22|title=Bonds ties Aaron's NL HR mark, but Giants fall to Brewers|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures]

On the following day, September 23, 2006, Bonds surpassed Aaron for the NL career home run record. Hit in Milwaukee like the previous one, this was a solo home run off Chris Capuano of the Brewers. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260923108|accessdate=2007-07-02|date=2006-09-23|title=Bonds hits NL-record 734th HR, but Giants lose again|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] This was the last home run Bonds hit in 2006. In 2006, Bonds recorded his lowest slugging percentage (a statistic that he has historically ranked among league leaders season after season) since 1991 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In January 2007, the "New York Daily News" reported that Bonds had tested positive for amphetamines.cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/01112007/sports/report__bonds_used_speed_sports_.htm|accessdate=2007-09-04|title=Report: Bonds used 'speed'|date=2007-01-11|work=New York Post|publisher=NYP Holdings, Inc.] Under baseball's amphetamine policy, which had been in effect for one season, players testing positive were to submit to six additional tests and undergo treatment and counseling. The policy also stated that players were not to be identified for a first positive test, but the "New York Daily News" leaked the test's results. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2727325|accessdate=2007-09-04|date=2007-01-11|title=Report: Bonds failed amphetamine test|author=|work=ESPN.com MLB news|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] When the Players Association informed Bonds of the test results, he initially attributed it to a substance he had taken from the locker of Giants teammate Mark Sweeney, [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/01/11/bonds.amphetamines/index.html|accessdate=2007-09-04|date=2007-01-11|title=Caught in the act|author=Quinn, T.J.|work=SI.com|publisher=Time Inc.] but would later retract this claim and publicly apologize to Sweeney. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/02/20/SPGV7O7HBH1.DTL|accessdate=2007-09-04|date=2007-02-20|title=Sweeney: It's 'over and done': Giants don't expect another apology from Bonds|author=Schulman, Henry|work=San Francisco Chronicle|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.]

2007 season

On January 29, 2007, the Giants finalized a contract with Bonds for the 2007 season. [cite web|url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070129&content_id=1789025&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf|title=Bonds, Giants agree to deal|date=2007-01-29|accessdate=2007-09-25|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|work=MLB.com|author=Bloom, Barry M.] After the commissioner's office rejected Bonds's one-year, $15.8 million deal because it contained a personal-appearance provision, the team sent revised documents to his agent, Jeff Borris, who stated that "At this time, Barry is not signing the new documents." [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20070201/ai_n18626981 |title=Agent: Bonds won't sign revised contract right now|date=2007-02-01|accessdate=2007-09-25|publisher=FindArticles|work=Chicago Sun-Times] Bonds signed a revised one-year, $15.8 million contract on February 15, 2007, and reported to the Giants' Spring Training camp on time.

Bonds resumed his march to the all-time record early in the 2007 season. After an opening game in which all he had was a first-inning single past third base against a right-shifted infield (immediately followed by a stolen base and then a base-running misjudgment that got him thrown out at home) and a deep out to left field late in the game, [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270403126|title=San Diego 7, San Francisco 0 (recap)|accessdate=2007-04-14|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-03|author=McCauley, Janie] Bonds returned the next day, April 4, 2007, with another mission. In his first at-bat of the season's second game at the Giants' AT&T Park, Bonds hit a Chris Young (of the San Diego Padres) pitch just over the wall to the left of straightaway center field for career home run 735. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270404126|title=San Diego 5, San Francisco 3 (recap)|accessdate=2007-04-14|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-05|author=McCauley, Janie] [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=270404126|title=San Diego 5, San Francisco 3 (box score)|accessdate=2007-04-14|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-05] This home run put Bonds past the midway point between Ruth and Aaron.

Bonds did not homer again until April 13, 2007 when he hit two (736 and 737) in a 3 for 3 night that included 4 RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270413123&prov=ap|title=San Francisco 8, Pittsburgh 5 (recap)|accessdate=2007-04-14|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-13] Home runs number 739 and 740 came in back to back games on April 21, 2007 and April 22, 2007 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270421126|title=San Francisco 1, Arizona 0 (recap)|accessdate=2007-04-23|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-21] [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270422126&prov=ap|title=San Francisco 2, Arizona 1 (recap)|accessdate=2007-04-23|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-04-22]

The hype surrounding Bonds' pursuit of the home run record escalated on May 14, 2007. On this day, Sports Auction for Heritage (a Dallas-based auction house) offered US$1 million to the fan that caught Bonds' record-breaking 756th-career home run. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2869244|accessdate=2007-06-30|date=2007-05-14|title=Auction house willing to buy 756 ball for $1M|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] The million dollar offer was rescinded on June 11, 2007 out of concern of fan safety. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2900735|accessdate=2007-06-30|date=2007-06-12|title=Auction house withdraws $1M bounty on No. 756|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] On that same day, Bonds launched home run 747, ending the relative drought of the previous month. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270611126|accessdate=2007-06-30|date=2007-06-11|title=Bonds' two-run shot helps Giants rally back vs. Jays|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] This one came off Josh Towers of the Toronto Blue Jays, and landed in AT&T Park's right center field stands. His next home run, 748, came on Father's Day, June 17, 2007, in the final game of a 3-game road series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, where Bonds had never previously played. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270617102|accessdate=2007-06-30|date=2007-06-17|title=Bonds hits first Fenway homer in loss to Red Sox|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] With this homer, Fenway Park became the 36th major league ballpark in which Bonds had hit a home run. He hit a Tim Wakefield knuckleball just over the low fence into the Giant's bullpen in right field. It was his first home run off his former Pittsburgh Pirate teammate, who became the 441st different pitcher to surrender a four-bagger to Bonds. The 750th career home run, hit on June 29, 2007, also came off a former teammate: Liván Hernández. [cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270629126|accessdate=2007-06-30|date=2007-06-29|title=Bonds is 5 homers shy of Aaron's mark after loss in 10th|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] The blast came in the 8th inning and at that point tied the game at 3–3.

On July 19, 2007, after a 21 at-bat hitless streak, Bonds hit 2 home runs, numbers 752 and 753 against the Chicago Cubs. He went 3–3 with 2 home runs, 6 RBIs, and a walk on that day. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=270719116|title=Chi Cubs 9, San Francisco 8 (recap)|accessdate=2007-07-19|publisher=Yahoo! Inc./The Associated Press|date=2007-07-19|author=McCauley, Janie] The struggling last place Giants still lost the game 9–8. On July 27, 2007, Bonds hit home run 754 against Florida Marlins pitcher Rick VandenHurk. Bonds was then walked his next 4 at bats in the game, but 2-run shot helped the Giants win the game 12–10. It marked the first game Bonds had homered in that the Giants won since he had hit #747. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270727126|accessdate=2007-09-08|date=2007-07-27|title=Bonds pulls within one of Aaron's all-time mark with 754th career homer|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] On August 4, 2007, Bonds hit a 382 foot (116 m) home run against Clay Hensley of the San Diego Padres for home run number 755, tying Hank Aaron's all-time record.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270804125|accessdate=2007-09-08|date=2007-08-04|title=Bonds ties Aaron with No. 755, but Pads win in 12|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] Bonds greeted his son, Nikolai, with an extended bear hug after crossing home plate. Bonds greeted his teammates and then his wife, Liz Watson, and daughter Aisha Lynn behind the backstop. Hensley was the 445th different pitcher to give up a home run to Bonds. Ironically, given the cloud of suspicion that surrounded Bonds, the tying home run was hit off a pitcher who'd been suspended by baseball in 2005 for steroid use. [ [http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20050405-9999-1s5padside.html SignOnSanDiego.com > San Diego Padres - Steroids violators in minors ] ] He was walked in his next at bat and eventually scored on a fielder's choice.

On August 7, 2007 at 8:51 PM PDT, Bonds hit a 435 foot (133 m) home run, his 756th, off a pitch from Mike Bacsik of the Washington Nationals, breaking the all-time career home run record, formerly held by Hank Aaron. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270807126|accessdate=2007-09-08|date=2007-08-07|title=Bonds turns page to new era with home run No. 756|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] Coincidentally, Bacsik's father had faced Aaron (as a pitcher for the Texas Rangers) after Aaron had hit his 755th home run. On August 23, 1976, Michael J. Bacsik held Aaron to a single and a fly out to right field. The younger Bacsik commented later, "If my dad had been gracious enough to let Hank Aaron hit a home run, we both would have given up 756." [ "Pitcher's father faced Hank", Associated Press August 8, 2007, "Lexington Herald-Leader" p B5.] After hitting the home run, Bonds gave Bacsik an autographed bat. [cite web|url=http://www.salem-news.com/articles/august082007/bonds_folo_080807.php|title=Bonds New King of Swing After No. 756|publisher=Salem News|accessdate=2007-09-29]

The pitch, the seventh of the at-bat, was a 3–2 pitch which Bonds hit into the right-center field bleachers. The fan who ended up with the ball, 22-year-old Matt Murphy from Queens, New York (and a Met fan), was promptly protected and escorted away from the mayhem by a group of San Francisco police officers.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2965703|title=Queens man in San Francisco for one day catches famous ball|work=ESPN.com|accessdate=2007-09-29|date=2007-08-09|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] After Bonds finished his home run trot, a ten-minute delay followed, including a brief video by Aaron congratulating Bonds on breaking the record Aaron had held for 33 years,cite web|author=Kriegel, Mark|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7102950|title=Bonds' historic journey too good to be true|publisher=Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC.|accessdate=2007-09-29|date=2007-08-08] and expressing the hope that "the achievement of this record will inspire others to chase their own dreams." Bonds made an impromptu emotional statement on the field, with Willie Mays, his godfather, at his side and thanked his teammates, family and his late father. Bonds sat out the rest of the game and was replaced in left field.

The commissioner, Bud Selig, was not in attendance in this game but was represented by the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, Jimmie Lee Solomon. Selig called Bonds later that night to congratulate him on breaking the record. [cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/08/08/sports/base.php|accessdate=2007-10-04|author=Curry, Jack|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2007-08-08|title=Bonds completes rocky journey to break record] [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2965584|accessdate=2007-10-04|date=2007-08-08|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|title=Bonds moves into eternity, assumes MLB home run record] President George W. Bush also called Bonds the next day to congratulate him. [cite web|url=http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070808&content_id=2138216&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf|title=Bonds receives presidential congrats|date=2007-08-08|author=Bloom, Barry B|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.|accessdate=2007-10-04] [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2966418&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines|title=President Bush called Bonds on Tuesday to congratulate him on 756|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=2007-08-08] On August 24, 2007, San Francisco honored and celebrated Bonds' career accomplishments and breaking the home run record with a large rally in Justin Herman Plaza. The rally included video messages from Lou Brock, Ernie Banks, Ozzie Smith, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan. Speeches were made by Willie Mays, Giants teammates Omar Vizquel and Rich Aurilia, and Giants owner Peter Magowan. Mayor Gavin Newsom presented Bonds the key to the City and County of San Francisco and Giants vice president Larry Baer gave Bonds the home plate he touched after hitting his 756th career home run. [cite news|author=Wildermuth, John|title=San Francisco honors Barry Bonds for Giant accomplishments|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=The San Francisco Chronicle|date=2007-08-25|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/25/BAALRP1IQ.DTL|accessdate=2007-10-04]

The record-setting ball was consigned to an auction house on August 21, 2007, [cite web|url=http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/fate-of-756-ball-revealed-today.html|title=SCP/Sotheby's Will Auction Bonds' 756th Home Run Ball |accessdate=2007-10-04|date=2007-08-21|work=Sports Collectors Daily] and sold with a winning bid of USD$752,467 on September 15, 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/16/BAULS74ES.DTL|title=Going, going - gone! Record-breaking Bonds ball nets $752,467|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|accessdate=2007-10-04|date=2007-09-16|author=Wildermuth, John] The high bidder, fashion designer Marc Ecko, created a website to let fans decide its fate. [cite-web|url=http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/latest/buyer-of-756th-home-run-ball-will-let-you-decide.html|title=Buyer of 756th Home Run Ball Will Let You Decide Fate |accessdate=2007-10-04|date=2007-09-17|work=Sports Collectors Daily] Ben Padnos, who submitted the (US) $186,750 winning bid on Bonds' record-tying 755th home run ball also set up a website to let fans decide its fate. [cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-bonds-756ball&prov=ap&type=lgns|title=Barry Bonds' No. 756 to be branded with an asterisk and sent to Baseball Hall of Fame|publisher=Yahoo!/The Associated Press|accessdate=2007-10-04|date=2007-09-26|author=Freeman, Rick] Of Ecko's plans, Bonds said "He spent $750,000 on the ball and that's what he's doing with it? What he's doing is stupid." [cite web |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/09/19/SP6JS8JMH.DTL |title=Bonds' Ecko: 'stupid'|publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |author=Henry Schulman |date=2007-09-19 |accessdate=2007-09-24]

Bonds concluded the 2007 season with a .276 batting average, 28 home runs, and 66 RBIs in 126 games and 340 at bats. At the age of 43, he led both leagues in walks with 132.

2008 season

On September 21, 2007, the San Francisco Giants confirmed that they would not re-sign Bonds for the 2008 season. The story was first announced on Bonds' own web site earlier that day.cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txbondswherenext&prov=st&type=lgns|title=Where does Barry Bonds go from here?|date=2007-09-21|accessdate=2007-09-24|publisher=Yahoo!|author=Covill, Tom] He filed for free agency on October 29, 2007. [cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071029&content_id=2287536&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|accessdate=2007-10-29|title=Bonds files for free agency|publisher=Major League Baseball|date=2007-10-29]

There was much speculation about where Bonds might play in 2008 and possibly beyond. During the offseason, experts suggested nearly a dozen teams as possible destinations.cite web|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AspY18TWvLzhtF4P5Uz1KOSFCLcF?slug=bondshasfewchoicesfornew&prov=tsn&type=lgns|title=Bonds has few choices for new team in '08|author=McNeal, Stan|publisher=Yahoo! Inc.|date=2007-09-22|accessdate=2007-09-24] [cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/25/Rays/Rays_ponder_Bonds_pur.shtml|title=Rays ponder Bonds pursuit: The club has talked about whether to make a pitch for the controversial slugger|accessdate=2008-08-04|date=2008-02-25|publisher=St. Petersburg Times|author=Topkin, Marc] Most talk was of Bonds signing for only the 2008 season as he needs just 65 hits to reach 3,000 and 38 home runs to reach 800. In addition to the hits, Bonds needs 69 more runs scored to move past Rickey Henderson as the all-time runs champion. He needs 38 extra base hits to move past Hank Aaron as the all-time extra base hits champion. Bonds also continues to talk of his quest for a World Series championship as motivation for returning.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3030852|title=Bonds won't return with Giants for '08, team confirms|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=2007-09-22|accessdate=2007-09-24]

Since filing for free agency, Bonds has said he is ready to play and would like to be signed. During the 2008 season, teams said to have been contemplating signing Bonds include the Detroit Tigers, [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/04/13/SPOI103O8N.DTL|title=TIGERS BY THE TAIL: No panic yet in front office - or thoughts of adding Bonds|accessdate=2008-08-04|work=2008-04-13|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Shea, John] the Boston Red Sox, [http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/06/04/should-the-red-sox-sign-barry-bonds-to-replace-david-ortiz/] and the New York Yankees. [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/07/25/heyman.bonds/index.html|title=Yankees haven't ruled out Bonds|accessdate=2008-08-04|publisher=Time Inc.|work=SI.com|author=Heyman, Jon] However, as of early September 2008 he had not yet been signed.

Controversies

BALCO Scandal

In 2003, Bonds became embroiled in a scandal when Greg Anderson of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (henceforth BALCO), Bonds' trainer since 2000, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and charged with supplying anabolic steroids to athletes, including a number of baseball players. This led to speculation that Bonds had used performance-enhancing drugs during a time when there was no mandatory testing in Major League Baseball. Bonds declared his innocence, attributing his changed physique and increased power to a strict regimen of bodybuilding, diet and legitimate supplements.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1937594|title=Bonds testified that substances didn't work|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=2004-12-04|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures]

During grand jury testimony on December 4, 2003—which was later found to be obtained through an illegal leak by Troy Ellerman, a defense lawyer for Victor Conte, to the "San Francisco Chronicle" (leaking grand jury testimony is a felony, to which Ellerman pled guilty to on February 14, 2007) and published almost a year later, on December 3, 2004—Bonds said that he used a clear substance and a cream that he received from his personal strength trainer, Greg Anderson, who told him they were the nutritional supplement flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis. [cite web|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/03/MNGGFA0UDU65.DTL|title=What Bonds told BALCO grand jury|date=2004-12-03|accessdate=2007-10-10|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Williams, Lance, Mark Fainaru-Wada] This testimony, as reported by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, has frequently been misrepresented. Later reports on Bonds's leaked grand-jury testimony contend that he admitted to unknowingly using "the cream" and "the clear".

In July 2005, all four defendants in the BALCO steroid scandal trial, including Anderson, struck deals with federal prosecutors that did not require them to reveal names of athletes who may have used banned drugs. [cite web | url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/07/16/MNG7PDP6HA1.DTL | title=40 of 42 BALCO charges dropped - Steroid lab owner, Bonds' trainer guilty in plea deal | publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle | date=2005-07-16 | accessdate=2008-02-20 |author=Fainaru-Wada, Mark and Lance Williams]

Players' Union

Bonds withdrew from the MLB Players Association's (MLBPA) licensing agreement because he felt independent marketing deals would be more lucrative for him. Bonds is the first player in the thirty-year history of the licensing program not to sign. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1661883|title=Bonds will be individually licensed|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|date=2003-11-17|author=Rovell, Darren] Because of this withdrawal, his name and likeness are not usable in any merchandise licensed by the MLBPA. In order to use his name or likeness, a company must deal directly with Bonds. For this reason he does not appear in some baseball video games, forcing game-makers to create generic athletes to replace him. For example, Bonds is replaced by "Jon Dowd" in "MVP Baseball 2005", [cite web|url=http://www.thewiire.com/review/135/1/The_BIGS|title=The BIGS|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=The Wiire|author=Wright, Eric|date=2007-07-24]

"Game of Shadows"

In March, 2006 the book "Game of Shadows", written by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, was released amid a storm of media publicity including the cover of "Sports Illustrated". [cite web|url=http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/2006/0313.html|title=SI Cover Search|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=Time Inc.|work=SI.com] Initially small excerpts of the book were released by the authors in the issue of "Sports Illustrated". The book alleges Bonds used stanozolol and a host of other steroids, and is perhaps most responsible for the change in public opinion regarding Bonds' steroid use.cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/magazine/03/06/growth0313/|title=The Truth About Barry Bonds and Steroids|publisher=Time Inc.|work=SI.com|accessdate=2008-02-20|author=Fainaru-Wada, Mark and Lance Williams] [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/23/books/23kaku.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|title=Barry Bonds and Baseball's Steroids Scandal|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=New York Times|date=2006-03-23|author=Kakutani, Michiko]

The book contained excerpts of grand jury testimony that is supposed to be sealed and confidential by law. The authors have been steadfast in their refusal to divulge their sources, [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2435256|title='Game of Shadows' authors are subpoenaed|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=2006-05-06|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures] and at one point faced jail time. On February 14, 2007, Troy Ellerman, one of Victor Conte's lawyers, pled guilty to leaking grand jury testimony. Through the plea agreement, he will spend two and a half years in jail.cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2934650|title=BALCO leaker Ellerman gets 2½ years in prison|accessdate=2008-02-20|date=2007-07-12|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures]

"Love Me, Hate Me"

In May 2006, former "Sports Illustrated" writer Jeff Pearlman released a scathing biography of Bonds entitled "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Anti-Hero." The book also contained many allegations against Bonds. [cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06099/680058-148.stm|title='Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero' by Jeff Pearlman|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=PG Publishing Co., Inc.|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=2006-04-09|author=Caroulis, Jon] The book, which describes Bonds as a polarizing insufferable braggart with a legendary ego and staggering ability, relied on over five hundred interviews. [cite web|url=http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061191923/Love_Me_Hate_Me/index.aspx|title=Love Me, Hate Me|accessdate=2008-02-20|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers]

Perjury investigation and Federal indictment

On November 15, 2007, Bonds was indicted for both four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice as it relates to the government investigation of BALCO. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7097583.stm|title=Baseball star Barry Bonds charged|work=BBC News|date=2007-11-16|accessdate=2008-02-15]

On February 14, 2008 a typo in court papers filed by Federal prosecutors erroneously alleged that Bonds tested positive for steroids in November, 2001, a month after hitting his record 73rd home run. The reference was meant instead to refer to a November 2000 test that had already been disclosed and previously reported. [cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3246675&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines|title=U.S. filing typo spurs erroneous Bonds drug report|author = |work=ESPN.com news services|date=2008-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-15] The typo sparked a brief media frenzy. [cite news|http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=4294590|title=Typo Spurs Erroneous Bonds Drug Reports|author=Paul Elias |work=ABC News|date=2008-02-15|accessdate=2008-02-15]

His trial for obstruction of justice is to begin on March 2, 2009. Mr Bonds is not expected to get prison time should he be convicted after a pro cyclist facing similar charges in the case was given house arrest and probation instead of jail time. [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/sports/othersports/11doping.html?ref=sports]

"Bonds on Bonds"

In April 2006 and May 2006, ESPN aired a few episodes of a 10-part reality TV (unscripted, documentary-style) series starring Bonds. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/05/SPG6UI3O1N1.DTL|title='Bonds on Bonds' -- You'll love him or hate him: At turns sickening, redeeming, it might be essential viewing|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-04-05|author=Goodman, Tim|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle] [cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060301&content_id=1329739&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|title=Bonds to star in documentary series|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-03-01|author=Bloom, Barry M.|publisher=MLB Advanced Media, L.P.] The show, titled "Bonds on Bonds", focused on Bonds' chase of Babe Ruth's and Hank Aaron's home run records. Some felt the show should be put on hiatus until baseball investigated Bonds' steroid use allegations. [cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=solomon_george&id=2368884|title=ESPN should put 'Bonds on Bonds' on holdESPN should put 'Bonds on Bonds' on hold|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-03-14|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|author=Solomon, George] The series was canceled in June 2006, ESPN and producer Tollin/Robbins Productions citing "creative control" issues with Bonds and his representatives. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/category?blogid=24&cat=578|title=Bonds Goes Boneyard|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-06-02|author=Goodman, Tim|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle] [cite web|url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/cabletv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002575683|title=ESPN's Bonds On Bonds Pulled|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-05-25|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|author=Consoli, John]

Personal life

Bonds met Susann ("Sun") Margreth Branco, the mother of his first two children, in city-state|Montreal|Quebec in August 1987. They eloped in city-state|Las Vegas|Nevada February 5, 1988. They had two children (Nikolai and Shikari)cite news|url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/03/28/NEWS6252.dtl&hw=barry+bonds&sn=098&sc=251|title=Giants star defends prenuptial agreement|accessdate=2007-10-10|date=1995-03-28|author=Brazil, Eric|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=sfgate.com] and separated in June 1994, divorced in December 1994 and had their marriage annulled in 1997 by the Catholic Church.cite web|url=http://marriage.about.com/od/sports/p/barrybonds.htm|title=Barry and Liz Bonds Marriage Profile|accessdate=2008-04-16|publisher=About Inc.|author=Stritoff, Sheri and bob] The divorce was a media affair because Bonds had his Swedish spouse sign a prenuptial agreement in which she "waived her right to a share of his present and future earnings" and which was upheld. Bonds had been providing his wife $20,000/month in child support and $10,000 in spousal support at the time of the ruling. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/05/16/NEWS4238.dtl&hw=Barry+Bonds&sn=010&sc=783|title=Sun Bonds is loser in ruling on prenuptial agreement Giants star didn't trick her into signing, judge says|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=1995-05-16|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Brazil, Eric] During the hearings to set permanent support levels, allegations of abuse came from both parties. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/12/07/NEWS7115.dtl&hw=Barry+Bonds&sn=006&sc=889|title=Ex-wife says Bonds beat her repeatedly during marriage: Tearful defendant testifies he kicked her while pregnant|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=1995-12-07|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Mitchell, Eve] [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/12/09/NEWS5801.dtl&hw=Barry+Bonds&sn=005&sc=899|title=Lawyer challenges Sun Bonds' account of beating: Testimony centers on '93 altercation|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=1995-12-09|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Mitchell, Eve] [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1995/12/16/NEWS14045.dtl&hw=Barry+Bonds&sn=004&sc=956|title=Bonds counters ex-wife's charges: Giants star testifies in divorce case that she kicked him and broke his trophies|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=1995-12-16|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Mitchell, Eve] The trial dragged on for months, but Bonds was awarded both houses and reduced support. [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/e/a/1996/03/08/NEWS9942.dtl&hw=Barry+Bonds&sn=001&sc=1000|title=Sun Bonds' claims dismissed; houses go to ballplayer: JUDGE SIDES WITH GIANTS STAR|accessdate=2008-04-16|date=1996-03-08|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle|author=Mitchell, Eve] Nikolai was a batboy for the Giants and always sat next to his dad in the dugout during games.cite news|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2918168|title=Bonds' son might not be working as bat boy when dad breaks HR mark|accessdate=2007-10-10|date=2007-07-27|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures|work=ESPN.com]

Bonds remarried on January 10, 1998 in the San Francisco Ritz-Carlton Hotel in front of 240 guests. Bonds lives in Los Altos Hills, California, with his second wife, Liz Watson, and their daughter Aisha. [cite web|url=http://www.losaltoshills.com/people/|title=Los Altos Hills People|accessdate=2008-04-17|publisher=Los Altos Hills.com] He also owns a home in the exclusive gated community of Beverly Park in Beverly Hills, CA. [cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/fashion/02mansion.html|title=Paradise Bought in Los Angeles|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-07-02|author=Waxman, Sharon|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times]

Bonds also had an extensive intimate relationship with Kimberly Bell from 1994 through May, 2003. [cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,147456,00.html|title=Barry Bonds' Alleged Mistress Speaks Out|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2005-08-08|publisher=FOX News Network, LLC] Bonds purchased a home in city-state|Scottsdale|Arizona for Kimberly.

Bonds has an older brother, Bobby, Jr. who was a professional baseball player. [cite web|url=http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/05/17/barry-bonds-brother-sticks-up-for-him-bashes-aaron/|title=Barry Bonds' Brother Sticks Up for Him, Bashes Aaron|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2007-05-17|publisher=AOL LLC|author=Brown, Larry] [cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2001/07/01/SP195291.DTL|title=Bobby Bonds Jr. plays for the love of the game|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2001-07-01|author=Knapp, Gwen|publisher=Hearst Communications Inc.|work=San Francisco Chronicle] His paternal aunt, Rosie Bonds, is a former American record holder in the 80 meter hurdles, [cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/bondsba01.php|title=Barry Bonds|accessdate=2008-04-17|publisher=The Baseball Page.com] and she competed in the 1964 Olympics. [cite web|url=http://www.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?igi=72635&nbc1=1&VwMd=i|title=1964 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Olympian Rosie Bonds|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2004-08-16|publisher=WireImage] He is a distant cousin of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson.

Career statistics

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Persondata
NAME=Bonds, Barry Lamar
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=American baseball player
DATE OF BIRTH=July 24, 1964
PLACE OF BIRTH=Riverside, California, United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=