Anyone who read Game of Shadows and paid attention to various court documents that have come to light recently knows that Barry Bonds has admitted to taking steroids. It’s common knowledge that Bonds took the cream and the clear provided by BALCO — both were steroids. So the issue isn’t whether he took steroids, it’s whether or not he “knowingly” took the steroids, which if he did, would result in a perjury charge. We also know that the federal government is pursuing this case and that they have a ridiculously high success rate when they pursue such cases (over 90%). With some court documents being released, now we know why they’re chasing the case; one transcript of a conversation shows that Bonds’ trainer Greg Anderson injected Barry with steroids. Here’s the evidence in the form of a conversation between Anderson and Bonds’ assistant, Steve Hoskins, who recorded the exchange when they were talking about cysts developing from steroid injection:

Anderson: No, what happens is, they put too much in one area, and what it does, it ‘ill, it ‘ill actually ball up and puddle. And what happens is, it actually will eat away and make an indentation. And it’s a cyst. It makes a big (expletive) cyst. And you have to drain it. Oh yeah, it’s gnarly …

Hoskins: He said his (expletive) went … that’s why he has to, he had to switch off of one cheek to the other. Is that why Barry’s didn’t do it in one spot, and you didn’t just let him do it one time?

Anderson: Oh no. I never. I never just go there. I move it all over the place.

In another part of the conversation, Anderson explains how easy it is to pass one of MLB’s administered drug tests by ostensibly using the cream and the clear (the same stuff Marion Jones used is the quote they gave). So after reading this, is there any wonder why Anderson’s in jail? Any wonder why he was refusing to speak? Any wonder why the feds are pursuing the perjury case? Any wonder if Bonds will be found innocent? You telling me he was getting injections and didn’t know it was for steroids? Uh yeah, I’m buying that like I’m buying some stock in Circuit City. Please.

Barry Bonds was in the house at AT&T Park in San Francisco on Saturday night for a celebration of the Giants 50th anniversary in the city. After receiving a warm reception from the fans and making a brief speech on the field before the game, Bonds ventured up to the Comcast Bay Area television booth where he joined Kruk and Kuip for a half inning. Bonds was asked several questions, and said he still misses the game. One thing he was asked was whether or not he’d eventually try to become a manager. Bonds’ response:

I think the best position for me would probably be in a college — that’s how I feel. I’d rather teach kids what they want to do and what to do to get to the major leagues. I see myself doing something like that moreso than doing something in the major leagues if that time comes for me to make that decision.

Bonds also added that coaching at UCLA seemed ideal because of its proximity to his current home, but was torn because he’s not keen on helping a team that competes against Arizona State — his alma mater. I think it’s pretty curious that Bonds made this comment. Obviously Barry still wants to be around the game and wants to help young players get better, but I have to wonder if he said he’d prefer to coach college baseball because he feels blackballed and unwanted by MLB, or because he truly would prefer to work with college kids. I think there could be some underlying reasons there. Either way, sending my kid to go play for Barry Bonds probably wouldn’t be the first choice on my list. And what prominent school would hire the guy anyway? Well, I guess there is a place for everyone.

Alternate title: 756th ball to make it to Hall before Bonds (ever does …). Perhaps it’s fitting that it’s worked out this way, given the fact that, you know, Barry Bonds juiced to get the record. Bonds is right to say that Marc Ecko is an idiot — I’m not sure what other sane person would come up with the idea to try and brand a ball with an asterisk, much less pay $752,467 for it. Now Gilbert Arenas on the other hand, who wanted to buy the ball back from Ecko, would have been an even bigger idiot for spending serious bucks to rescue the ball. Anyway, after going back and forth with the Hall, Ecko has agreed to give the ball to Cooperstown for good, asterisk and all.

I’m not one for defacing baseball history, but like I’ve said, the asterisk on the ball is a perfect reflection of the mockery Barry made of the record. You don’t just go from being a 30 and 40 home run hitter to belting 60 and 70 like nothing, even if you have matured and developed as a hitter. Whatever. I think it’s pretty comical too that the Hall is accepting the ball in whatever condition they get it. About the only thing that would make this entire scenario perfect, would be for Bonds to be picked up by some team this year for a few games and be dropped at the end of the season. Then, both Bonds and Kent would retire from the game, and five years from now, Jeff Kent would get into the Hall while Bonds would be left out. As my buddy Casey suggested, that would be the ultimate, enjoyable irony.

Since nobody’s interested in picking up the slugger, he’s gotta figure out new ways to occupy his time. Apparently Baroid has figured out what to do in between curls at the gym and hacks at the cages. As AJ mentioned at Deadspin, Barry’s now making cameos in music videos. Check him out around the 0:45 mark:

I’m sure you’re all more interested in the cameo by my cousin, Chris Brown, but seeing Barry in a music vid is pretty funny. Of course when it comes to athletes making music video appearances, nothing tops TJ Cummings in Missy Elliot’s Work it vid. One day we’re seeing him score 15 in a UCLA basketball game, next thing you know he’s the it thang for Missy. Weird how things work.