Vibe.com, May 9th, 2006
As the San Francisco Giants opened a seven-game homestand Monday night (May 8) against the Houston Astros, Bonds stood just one blast short of Ruth’s career tally of 714 homers. Hank Aaron now owns the all-time record with 755 round trippers, though Ruth’s figure is still viewed in many circles as being the more majestic number.
Long dogged by allegations of steroids abuse, Bonds now finds himself cast as the central figure in a federal probe which seeks to determine if he - and possibly others - perjured themselves in 2003.
Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro were all part of a contingent of players that were subpoenaed to appear before a panel, each of them asked a stream of questions in relation to BALCO Inc., the San Francisco-based company thought to be the primary supplier of the illicit drugs.
In addition, Selig has appointed former Democratic Senate Majority leader, George Mitchell, to spearhead MLB’s independent investigation into the never-ending controversy. Much like the inquiry led by John Dowd into the Pete Rose gambling scandal nearly two decades ago that ultimately led to his lifetime ban from baseball, Mitchell’s findings figure to have a profound impact on the game.
Bonds, the son of former major leaguer Bobby Bonds, and the godson of Hall of Famer Willie Mays, has maintained his innocence throughout. The seven-time MVP and 13-time All-Star has alluded to racism as the central cause for questioning and doubt.
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