Feds finally end prosecution of Barry Bonds

[Lex Luthor]

The U.S. Department of Justice formally dropped its criminal prosecution of Barry Bonds today, nearly eight years after he was first indicted on obstruction of justice and perjury charges. He was convicted on a single count of obstruction in 2011 but had his conviction overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals in April of this year. He was acquitted on all perjury counts at his original trial.

As we have argued in painstaking detail, Bonds likely lied under oath during grand jury testimony back in 2003 when he was asked if he ever used performance enhancing drugs. The prosecution was unable to pin him down in a lie, however, because there were no other witnesses willing to testify to contradict him. The obstruction of justice count, based on Bonds’ rambling response to a question which Bonds eventually answered, was about as weak a count as they come. In almost any other case the government would decline to push forward with the prosecution based on a lack of evidence. In this case prosecutors, no doubt motivated by a high profile defendant in a high profile case pushed on.

In the end it cost taxpayers millions lasted nearly twelve years since his grand jury testimony and nearly eight years after his indictment. In the end, like so many times before, Barry Bonds walks.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...f-barry-bonds/

Ending this was the right thing to do. Bonds lied and everybody knows it, but I don't see what purpose would be served by prosecuting him and sending him to prison. I'd rather use the prison space on guys who beat the shit out of their wives/girlfriends.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Mav

I agree. He was also an asshole to the media. He grew up watching how they treated his dad. He hated them for that.

The thing is, McGwire wasn't exactly a media darling.

Papi is a huge asshole. But the media has worked its ass off to make him a loveable asshole.

ARod is sleazy with women. Jeter is just a loveable ladies man.

The media has forced this down our throat and we've all bit on it.

[Al Bundy]

Andy Petite is BELOVED by the media.. and he is an admitted cheater.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Andy Petite is BELOVED by the media.. and he is an admitted cheater.

I think he's a slightly different category because I actually do believe he was using it to recover from an injury.

It's still cheating and he knew what he was getting himself into, so I'll agree with you there.

[FringeNC]

Despite multiple warnings to the FBI of plots involving hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings, the FBI decided that a jihad against Barry Bonds was a better use of resources. Who the hell cares if Barry Bonds bought steroids or HGH? That may be MLB's problem, but certainly doesn't warrant the diversion of law enforcement assets. Disgraceful.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Despite multiple warnings to the FBI of plots involving hijacking planes and crashing them into buildings, the FBI decided that a jihad against Barry Bonds was a better use of resources. Who the hell cares if Barry Bonds bought steroids or HGH? That may be MLB's problem, but certainly doesn't warrant the diversion of law enforcement assets. Disgraceful.

I don't have a problem with the government intervening in stuff like this. Especially when the commissioner encourages the behavior. Better example for me is the NCAA. These are teams accepting a shitload of public money. And they aren't traditional businesses, they're more like cartels. So the government has to keep them in check from time to time. But agree that the enforcement has been wildly inconsistent. That's where I have a problem.

[FringeNC]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I don't have a problem with the government intervening in stuff like this. Especially when the commissioner encourages the behavior. Better example for me is the NCAA. These are teams accepting a shitload of public money. And they aren't traditional businesses, they're more like cartels. So the government has to keep them in check from time to time. But agree that the enforcement has been wildly inconsistent. That's where I have a problem.

Why is it relevant if they are accepting public money? Barry Bonds was no threat to the republic. Sure, maybe the sanctity of MLB records was at stake, but that's an issue for the league to deal with, not the Feds.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by FringeNC

Why is it relevant if they are accepting public money? Barry Bonds was no threat to the republic. Sure, maybe the sanctity of MLB records was at stake, but that's an issue for the league to deal with, not the Feds.

I agree they spent too much time busting cheaters. But like that they created better rules for testing and enforcement.

Pro sports are different than businesses. They are allowed to break a lot of rules businesses aren't and commissioners/owners can get away with almost everything. Look at how much the NCAA and NFL are weaseling money. So if the leaders aren't enforcing the rules, the governement is the only group that can. In this case, the MLB leadership chose to turn a blind eye to breaking federal laws around steroid distribution while ruining the fairness and integrity of a game that is being heavily, heavily financed by the public. Worse, they were doing it to make more money.

[GloucesterChief]

Originally Posted by Mav

My top 3.

The babe
Willie Mays
Barry Bonds.

Sub out Bonds for Griffey Jr.

[Anyong Bluth]

Thanks for wasting a shit ton of taxpayer money on this stupidity.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I'm going to say this and i know i'll get destroyed for this. **** it. I don't give a shit.

Barry Bonds cheated. But the only reason he's hated this much is because of the media. Nobody gives a shit about McGwire or Sosa. People still consider Papi a hero. Nelson Cruz an all star. People are actually starting to feel sorry for Tom Brady. And the worst part, fans defend the living shit out of this group of cheaters.

Bonds was a cheater. But so were a ton of people during and before the steroid era. The only reason people hate him so much is because the media has shoved it down your throat that you should hate him.

Well it's also because he has all the home run records. If Mcguire still had the season HR record it would be different. Plus, Hank Aaron's record was the ****ing holy grail and not only did it go to a cheater, but we knew he was a cheater at the time. We didn't even have the romance of the McGuire/Sosa HR race to hold onto.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

I think he's a slightly different category because I actually do believe he was using it to recover from an injury.

It's still cheating and he knew what he was getting himself into, so I'll agree with you there.

That was certainly his story. If you choose to believe it.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by GloucesterChief

Sub out Bonds for Griffey Jr.

Griffey isn't anywhere near the same realm as Bonds or those other 2.

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Griffey isn't anywhere near the same realm as Bonds or those other 2.

I ALWAYS leave Babe Ruth off my best of all time lists because he didn't play against all of the best players in America.

[kstater]

Duffy's reaction to Hos homer.

[GloucesterChief]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Griffey isn't anywhere near the same realm as Bonds or those other 2.

His stats are very close to Bonds. He played in a harder league and at a harder defensive position: center instead of left field.