Is Barry Bonds about to get his comeupance?

[slide_advantage_redoux]

From what I read in new reports today, speculation is that baseball's Mr. Congeniality may be indicted any day now.

It isn't that I harbor any grudge against this guy, but I hope he does get nailed. If he weren't so damned arrogant, perhaps I wouldn't feel this way about him.

But one thing I am almost certain about is that if he is indicted, somebody (maybe himself or someone in his own camp) will play the race card.

[catesta]

He should be out of baseball and maybe in jail if for no other reason than the 1980s electric booglaoo dangling earing he wears.

[Dan Gould]

It sure as heck looks like his comeuppance is finally near, and as you say, it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

The NYT had an interesting report on an old friend of Barry's who got into the memorabilia business but had a falling out. Bonds apparently got paranoid about "counterfeit" Bonds merchandise and accused his friend of selling fakes and actually went to the FBI. Is there 'roid paranoia like 'roid rage?

So the guy told Barry's lawyer "don't do this" and told him he'll bury Barry if he does, with first hand knowledge of steroids, tax evasion through the mistress (who was introduced by the friend's sister, or had some connection to her like that) and infidelity.

The NY Daily News had their own report which kind of filled in the blank of why Barry would screw up the market for his own memorabilia by making loud claims about counterfeit. Apparently the belief is that Barry was trying to help cover up the cash he was making from these dealings (the cash he was hiding from his ex-wife and her attorneys/accountants) by roiling the market.

As to your questions, I am sure that Barry will play the race card at some point.

But the larger issue, to me, is where a trial takes place and whether it is possible (I almost suspect its not just possible, but likely) that in the Bay area there is enough continuing support for Bonds that he could beat the rap. I honestly think the prosecution should move for a change of venue. That may be the battle of the century in this case. It would certainly be ironic if the prosecution used the leak of the grand jury testimony to show that the jury pool is now tainted.

Bonds' trainer will be lucky if the indictment does come with the current grand jury, I think it would have been nice to see him kept him jail for contempt while they impanel a new grand jury. But regardless, there is no claim he can make to avoid testifying when this goes to trial.

Finally Pete Rose will have someone join him in baseball hell. Who would have guessed that two of the greatest players in history would allow their personal demons to destroy themselves?

[Dave James]

I'm just as anxious as the next guy to see Barry gets his just desserts, but I remain concerned that his conviction will somehow convince the thimble brains who run baseball that once the poster boy for the problem is gone, the problem is gone with him. That would be a big mistake.

Up over and out.

[Brad]

It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. I sincerely hope that this doesn't end the roids scandal and I don't think it will.

[Noj]

He should be out of baseball and maybe in jail if for no other reason than the 1980s electric booglaoo dangling earing he wears.