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Posted on 5:33 AM by Wanto and filed under
By Denise I Smithson

While Barry Bonds is known as an incredible baseball player, it is other things about him which may eventually be what he is remembered for. Bonds won four MVP awards as an outfielder, four years in a row. He played in the 2007 World Series and is one of the most widely known players in the sport. In 2006, he surpassed even Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron in home runs.

Sadly, there may be an asterisk next to all of these records. Bonds has admitted to steroid usage (although he denies having willingly or knowingly taken the drug), something which was long rumored. Bonds did not exactly have a rapport with the fans, despite his performance on the diamond. Many hated him and he gladly returned the favor. Bonds burned so many bridges that no team was willing to sign him on for the 2008 season (and he has no contracts lined up for the 2009 season at the time of this writing), despite his holding the record for career home runs at 762 and most home runs in a single season at 73.

Having already broken many records and his financial future in no doubt, Bonds was investigated in relation to his steroid use as part of the Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative case and has been charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about his use of steroids.

This case has cast a shadow over his entire career in the sport. The validity of his awards and records have been called into question by fans and the administrative body governing the sport alike.

The shadow has fallen upon his entire career, a career which began in high school. Binds was approached by the Giants even as he was still attending high school. Although he did not sign with the Giants at this time, he continued playing in college and scored seven consecutive hits in the College World Series. He was also named the All American selection of the year by Sporting News.

In March 2009, Bonds will appear in court to face the obstruction of justice charges related to the BALCO investigation. Bonds still insists that he never took steroids knowingly - but this is a matter which has yet to be resolved in court and is sure to be closely followed by baseball fans.

Bonds has been spending his time away from the diamond by working with children's hospitals, a public service which has comforted many sick and even terminally ill children. Bonds holds an honorary chairmanship from the Macy's Tree Lighting committee - this committee raises money for UCSF Children's Hospital Palliative Care Program, a children's hospice.

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