SAN FRANCISCO - Attorneys for two of the men accused of participating in a steroid distribution ring said Friday the Giants' Barry Bonds "never took anything illegal" and actually rejected a questionable substance at the heart of the government's case.
The defense of Bonds, who has endured speculation about steroid use for years, came outside court after two hearings in the case against the four men charged with providing performance-enhancing substances to dozens of athletes.
"Barry Bonds never took anything illegal. He declined to take any of these illegal substances," said Tony Serra, the attorney for Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson.
Serra said Bonds "was offered substances via the schedule," referring to a calendar seized in a search of Anderson's home that listed doses and scheduling of substances taken by the athletes he trains.
Serra said Bonds was offered something that prosecutors have referred to in documents as "a "clear' steroid-like substance," apparently the recently unmasked steroid THG. Serra said Bonds was offered that substance "by two or three people" through Anderson but declined to try it.
Meanwhile, Astros second baseman Jeff Kent created a stir when he wondered whether past stars should be included in the steroid discussion.
In comments that appeared in Friday's Houston Chronicle, Kent asked whether it can be proved that players such as Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig didn't use drugs to improve their performance. Steroids were developed in the 1930s.
"People are so pinned on the era now vs. the era then," Kent said after the story appeared. "Do we really know about then? I think we're starting to understand and learn more facts about now, so everybody's trying to relate the records broken, the way ballplayers are bigger and badder and better than ever now, but how do we know about then?
"We never really tested, so that was my reference. I apologize to all the Babe Ruth fans out there, but jeez, I was just trying to make a point."
CUBS SHELL OUT FOR WOOD: Kerry Wood figures the Cubs are going places, and he wants to stick around and be part of the trip.
Wood agreed to a $32.5-million, three-year contract with the defending NL Central champs, the most lucrative deal for a pitcher in club history. It includes a mutual option for 2007 that could increase the value to $43-million.
"For me it was pretty simple. This organization gave me the opportunity when I was 18 years old to play professional baseball. That's something I'll never forget," Wood said.
MANNY OPENS UP: Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez broke his media silence, saying he had put behind him Boston's efforts to waive him or trade him to the Rangers.
"I can't be mad at anybody," Ramirez was quoted as saying in the News-Press of Fort Myers. "I'm happy to be back with the guys. What happened in the winter happened, and it's in the past.
"In this business you do what you have to do. I'm not going to get down on myself. Being with the guys has always been what I look forward to. I have five years left, and I'd like to stay here and finish my career in Boston."
Meanwhile, Boston announced that former Hernando High standout Bronson Arroyo will be on the mound against the Yankees in an exhibition game March 7, the first meeting of the teams since New York won the AL pennant.
A'S: Left-hander Mark Mulder has back spasms that caused him to miss two workouts. Mulder woke up Sunday with a sore back, a problem he had never encountered.
BRAVES: Closer John Smoltz, coming back again from elbow surgery, threw off the mound for the second time this spring with no problems. The right-hander missed nearly a month at the end of 2003 with a sore elbow.
CARDINALS: Albert Pujols said he wants to build a stadium in his native Dominican Republic, preferably in the capital of Santo Domingo.
MARINERS: Oft-injured outfield prospect Chris Snelling had surgery on a bone in his right hand, sidelining him for six weeks. He was hurt Thursday in batting practice after taking two or three swings.
ROCKIES: Tired of watching balls land at the warning track instead of four rows deep, Todd Helton decided to bulk up. But instead of working with a nutritionist or using dietary supplements, Helton did it the old-fashioned way: he ate more. "I just ate like a pig. I really did," the first baseman said.
