The Barry Bonds trial for perjury and obstruction of justice is finally under way. Jurors were selected on Monday (few baseball fans made the cut), opening arguments began Tuesday and testimony began Wednesday.
Tuesday’s biggest action, though not really much of a surprise, was former-Bonds trainer Greg Anderson refusing to testify. Anderson has already served more than a year in contempt of court for his unwillingness to take the stand. Prosecutors sought to admit what they claim are doping calenders and private drug tests as evidence of Bonds’ steroids use, but a judge deemed them inadmissible without Anderson’s testimony.
Yesterday’s column by Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News offered a new wrinkle on the case. Purdy asserts that it will be former Giants trainer Stan Conte , whom Purdy says has “zero slime in his background (and is no relation to Victor Conte of BALCO fame) who will prove to be key for the prosecution.
Now that you’re caught up on the details, let’s venture into the realm of raw opinion. Bay Area sports fans are the one demographic that has been reliably in Bonds’ corner throughout the steroid era. We’d like to know how you’re feeling about the man these days.
So please, fill in the blank: “Barry Bonds will be remembered as __________.”