Secret tape of trainer implies Bonds received steroids
By wire services
Published October 17, 2004
SAN FRANCISCO - A man under criminal investigation in the BALCO steroids conspiracy case said in a secretly and perhaps illegally recorded conversation that Barry Bonds used an undetectable performance-enhancing drug during the 2003 season, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
In an article published Saturday, the Chronicle reported that Greg Anderson, Bonds' personal trainer, provided the Giants leftfielder with steroids that could be taken the day of a test and not be detected. The Chronicle reported that two people who know Anderson listened to the tapes and said the voice is his.
Several unidentifiable noises and voices, however, can be heard in the background of the 9-minute, 19-second tape. Some of the comments attributed to Anderson are inaudible, CBS.Sportsline.com reported.
Bonds has never been charged with steroid use or directly connected to the sale of performance-enhancing drugs.
J. Tony Serra, Anderson's attorney, said his client "categorically denies" providing Bonds with a banned substance.
Bonds' attorney, Michael Rains, called it "simply another below-the-belt bash of Barry Bonds, which as I understand it is supposedly the product of what has to be an illegally recorded telephone conversation supposedly between Greg Anderson and an anonymous criminal."
Commissioner Bud Selig said ongoing talks with the players' union could result in changes to baseball's steroid testing policy in the "relatively near future," but he declined further comment.
"It would be inappropriate for me to comment until we see the story and check it out and check out the things alleged," he said. "But it is a further manifestation of why we need a very strict steroid policy."
FAN SUES: A Hollywood, Fla., man sued the Marlins, alleging he was hit in the nose by a baseball centerfielder Juan Pierre threw into the stands during Game 4 of the World Series in October 2003. Steve Badillo, 44, a Yankee fan, accused Pierre of aiming the toss his way after the player completed his warmup throws before the fourth.
EXPOS MOVE: Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson appears interested in assembling an investment group to bid on the major-league team scheduled to play in Washington beginning next season. Jackson has lined up at least one significant investor and has tried to interest others, the Washington Post reported.
Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.
