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A report obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News indicates that the owner of Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative told federal investigators he gave steroids to nearly 30 athletes, including Barry Bonds and track stars Marion Jones and Tim Montgomery.

 

 

According to the newspapers, the document summarizes an Internal Revenue Service investigator's interview of Victor Conte last Sept. 3 during a search of the company, at which time Conte volunteered the names of the athletes.

 

 

Conte's lawyers denied the report, which reportedly lists 27 athletes -- among them Bonds, Jones, Montgomery, Kelli White and the Yankees' Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield -- to whom Conte allegedly gave steroids.

 

 

The report, however, apparently does not say if any of the athletes used the substances -- THG, testosterone cream or both -- obtained from Conte.

 

 

The story on the Chronicle's Web site, quoting sources who requested anonymity, said Conte told federal investigators that Jones and Montgomery received the performance-enhancing substances in exchange for endorsements of his nutritional supplement.

 

 

Conte's attorneys question the legality of the interview and the veracity of the IRS agent's claims. His lawyers contend the IRS report is filled with fabrications and that Conte's statements have either been falsified or were coerced, as the IRS interview was conducted under intimidating circumstances and without a tape recorder.

 

 

"The coercive nature of that interview as well as the disputed contents of what the agents claim was said in that mysteriously unrecorded statement will be the subject of pretrial motions," defense lawyers Robert Holley and Troy Ellerman said in a prepared statement.

 

 

According to the Mercury News, Conte, in the report by IRS agent Jeff Novitzky and co-signed by San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force officer Jon Columbet, is quoted as saying:

 

 

 

Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson, brought Bonds and several other baseball players to BALCO to obtain drugs at the beginning of the 2003 season. The steroids were the allegedly giving to Bonds in exchange for his endorsement of Conte's legal supplement, ZMA -- a zinc- and magnesium-based, legal nutritional product.

 

 

 

Conte allegedly gave Jones steroids for free in exchange for her endorsement of ZMA. Conte stopped working with Jones in 2001.

 

 

 

Conte gave Montgomery steroids in 2002 just before the sprinter set the world record or the 100-meters, at 9.78 seconds, in Paris.

 

 

A lawyer for Conte told the Chronicle that the lab owner denied ever providing information to federal agents about any specific athletes receiving steroids.

 

 

Conte said in an e-mail message to The Associated Press that he couldn't comment. Jones' publicist, Lewis Kay, could not be reached for comment.

 

 

Jones' attorney, Joseph Burton, issued a statement saying the Chronicle's story was wrong.

 

 

"Victor Conte is either lying or the statement was involuntarily coerced. This is a character assassination of the worst kind," Burton said.

 

 

"Marion has never had an endorsement deal of any kind with Victor Conte or any of his businesses, and most specifically she has never received any illegal substances from Conte in exchange for her endorsement of his products."

 

 

Jones and Montgomery, both of whom testified last fall before a federal grand jury that indicted Conte and three other men, repeatedly have denied steroid use. All four indicted men have pleaded innocent.

 

 

Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield -- all of whom testified before the grand jury -- have denied using steroids. No athlete has been charged in the case.

 

 

 

The Roid Ranger strikes again

wow thats something

 

wheres bondsmays660 and all the non-believers now?

none of this is really new in my opinion.

I'm not going to jump on the crucify Bonds bandwagon until he is proven to have used steroids in a court of law. Oh, and his middle name is Lamar.

More hearsay?

It wouldn't be funny if Bonds reaches 713 then is thrown out of baseball.

He wouldn't be, he gets 3 slaps on the wrists or something before any fines. I think the man should be absolutely excommunicated.

Barry Bonds is kewl.

none of this is really new in my opinion.

Yeah, this doesn't surprise me the slightest bit, but what surprises me is the reaction of MaysBonds660: Silent.

none of this is really new in my opinion.

Conte admitting he gave roids to Bonds is new.

I think Conte's trying to get the heat off of him, and onto Bonds. He was the one that created and distributed the drug in the first place. Think about it though...if you were in that position, you'd blame everyone else. I still think it's pretty likely that Bonds may have done it, though.

none of this is really new in my opinion.

Conte admitting he gave roids to Bonds is new. okay, it is jsut that a steroid ring that openly made steroids and who distributed it to Bonds trainer...he would have to be invovled.

 

But the official "i did it" I guess is new.

since I love controversy, I'll step up.

 

I've always maintained that I don't think Barry took 'roids (herbal enhancements a la McGwire sure, but none of the "hard" stuff), and this is non-news. Bonds has always been indicated in this, he still hasn't failed a drug test, and even if he did, when he went on a tear, steroids weren't illegal. Sure it may be morally wrong, but it wasn't illegal by MLB standards. Barry is innocent until proven guilty, but the way you guys are talking, he's guilty until proven innocent.

 

Lay off the guy, he really is the greatest player ever: look at what he's doing now, and he sure as hell isn't on roids now considering all the controversy and mandatory testing going on.

 

I think that a lot of the outlash is less that Barry is taking steroids and more that Barry Bonds is going to pass Babe Ruth and Aaron, and many are simply jealous because a man who has been pretty harsh to the media, not to mention arrogant, is two years away from cementing himself as the greatest ever; by the time he's done, there won't be a significant offensive career record that he won't own or be significantly high on the list...

Still 0 proof. I would lie and say I gave them to Bonds and Jones and the rest to save my own ass, most people would

and even if he did:

1. It was legal in MLB, so it wasn't cheating

2. Steroids doesn't players the things that makes Bonds great: The quick swing, the eye for the ball, the patience at the plate

Still 0 proof. I would lie and say I gave them to Bonds and Jones and the rest to save my own ass, most people would

and even if he did:

1. It was legal in MLB, so it wasn't cheating

2. Steroids doesn't players the things that makes Bonds great: The quick swing, the eye for the ball, the patience at the plate

So, who's a racist and who's jealous? :mischief

 

And I totally agree with TSwift. Thank you.

most people would lie and rat out their own parents to save their asses

Lay off the guy, he really is the greatest player ever: look at what he's doing now, and he sure as hell isn't on roids now considering all the controversy and mandatory testing going on.

 

That's quite perhaps one of the least intelligent things I ever heard. Let me guess, you think there are no steroids in the NFL too?

1. It was legal in MLB, so it wasn't cheating

2. Steroids doesn't players the things that makes Bonds great: The quick swing, the eye for the ball, the patience at the plate

1. It was illegal in AMERICA...so Bonds can go to jail for it. So say it wasn't "cheating", but it was flat out illegal. Taking ectasy during games isn't cheating, but it is illegal. However, steroids helps performance, so YES it is cheating.

 

2. When people get older, their swings slow because they break down physically...or in Barry's case, their swings QUICKEN because they pack on 40 pounds of muscle. So yes, steroids don't give you strike zone judgement and smarts, but they do give Kevin Brown the ability to hit 95 on the gun or Barry Bonds the ability to have quicker bat speed than ever.

 

I'm sure all those athletes are ruining their bodies because steroids DOESN'T give them an edge.

Lay off the guy, he really is the greatest player ever: look at what he's doing now, and he sure as hell isn't on roids now considering all the controversy and mandatory testing going on.

 

That's quite perhaps one of the least intelligent things I ever heard. Let me guess, you think there are no steroids in the NFL too? LOL, and "measuring" his head is one of the most intelligent things I've heard.

 

Let me ask you a question: If you knew that everyone and I mean EVERYONE is out to get you, wouldn't you try to avoid their constant investigations? Additionally, if you were very very very close to something that is very important to you, say acceptance to college or 715 HR's, wouldn't you do everything possible to not screw yourself in those last few days; even if you cheated on a test before, there's no way you're going to let yourself get caught right at the end.

 

Think about it: Bonds knows that everyone is only talking about him; Marion Jones is an Olympic gold medalist, and her name was named by Conte, yet all anyone is talking about is Bonds, you think he doesn't realize that?

 

Is Jason Giambi still juicing? Maybe, no one seems to care about him anymore. Sheffield? I guess, but if he's juicing and is only hitting .270, he better get a refund. Santiago, etc? Sure, why not, it's not like they have anything to lose, but Bonds? No way in hell is he still juicing, everyone is out to get him, and he knows it.

LOL, and "measuring" his head is one of the most intelligent things I've heard.

what's so stupid about exposing a well known side effect of hgh abuse?

 

Let me ask you a question: If you knew that everyone and I mean EVERYONE is out to get you, wouldn't you try to avoid their constant investigations?

So the world is out to get Bonds? It seems like everyone is defending the man, even though he obviously a juicer. He should be booed out of stadiums.

 

Additionally, if you were very very very close to something that is very important to you, say acceptance to college or 715 HR's, wouldn't you do everything possible to not screw yourself in those last few days; even if you cheated on a test before, there's no way you're going to let yourself get caught right at the end.

That's my point, he's a cheater. Do you want sympathy from me?

 

Think about it: Bonds knows that everyone is only talking about him; Marion Jones is an Olympic gold medalist, and her name was named by Conte, yet all anyone is talking about is Bonds, you think he doesn't realize that?

Because Bonds disgraces a more popular sport in America, so naturally he gets more attention. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that.

 

Is Jason Giambi still juicing? Maybe, no one seems to care about him anymore. Sheffield? I guess, but if he's juicing and is only hitting .270, he better get a refund. Santiago, etc? Sure, why not, it's not like they have anything to lose, but Bonds? No way in hell is he still juicing, everyone is out to get him, and he knows it.

Everyone out to get him? Cheat the test, and they have nothing additional on you. He is most definitely still juicing, because he has maintained (and gained) body mass this offseason.

 

Stop acting like Bonds is this poor guy everyone is out to get. He's a cheater so he arises suspician and hatred.

LOL, and "measuring" his head is one of the most intelligent things I've heard.

what's so stupid about exposing a well known side effect of hgh abuse?

 

Let me ask you a question: If you knew that everyone and I mean EVERYONE is out to get you, wouldn't you try to avoid their constant investigations?

So the world is out to get Bonds? It seems like everyone is defending the man, even though he obviously a juicer. He should be booed out of stadiums.

 

Additionally, if you were very very very close to something that is very important to you, say acceptance to college or 715 HR's, wouldn't you do everything possible to not screw yourself in those last few days; even if you cheated on a test before, there's no way you're going to let yourself get caught right at the end.

That's my point, he's a cheater. Do you want sympathy from me?

 

Think about it: Bonds knows that everyone is only talking about him; Marion Jones is an Olympic gold medalist, and her name was named by Conte, yet all anyone is talking about is Bonds, you think he doesn't realize that?

Because Bonds disgraces a more popular sport in America, so naturally he gets more attention. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to know that.

 

Is Jason Giambi still juicing? Maybe, no one seems to care about him anymore. Sheffield? I guess, but if he's juicing and is only hitting .270, he better get a refund. Santiago, etc? Sure, why not, it's not like they have anything to lose, but Bonds? No way in hell is he still juicing, everyone is out to get him, and he knows it.

Everyone out to get him? Cheat the test, and they have nothing additional on you. He is most definitely still juicing, because he has maintained (and gained) body mass this offseason.

 

Stop acting like Bonds is this poor guy everyone is out to get. He's a cheater so he arises suspician and hatred. Think before you speak, your Yankee bias is overwhelming. This argument with you is just as much about Bonds as it is Bonds passing Ruth.

 

I'm not going to waste my time, but the head thing is stupid, you're using two baseball card pictures with one clearly taken from farther away than the other, so it proves nothing. I already discussed this with you about if his head grew nearly as big as you claim, his hat-size would be off the charts.

 

Bonds is not "obviously" a juicer, he doesn't deserve to be booed out of stadiums, hell, Giambi is "obviously" a juicer, go boo him out of Yankee stadium. Until you can prove something with a drug test, give the man a break.

 

And about the gaining mass this offseason? I have not heard that, and my best recollection is that people were talking about how much trimmer he was, not to the extreme that Giambi went, but I don't think he gained all that much in the offseason. Besides, if you spent 95% of your time in the offseason dieting, working out, cross-training, hitting and running, you don't think you're going to put on a few pounds of muscle? I put on a few pounds of muscle over the winter, does that mean I juice?

Still 0 proof. I would lie and say I gave them to Bonds and Jones and the rest to save my own ass, most people would

and even if he did:

1. It was legal in MLB, so it wasn't cheating

2. Steroids doesn't players the things that makes Bonds great: The quick swing, the eye for the ball, the patience at the plate

How the hell are you gonna say Steroids don't help you swing the bat. It makes you stronger which makes you faster so now all you gotta do is time the pitch. Barry isn't up there hacking away so he obviously tries to see what the pitcher will throw to him. Don't even talk about that "patience at the plate" crap because as a guy starts hitting homers, he get's more balls then strikes. But then again, why is he hitting homers?

Think before you speak, your Yankee bias is overwhelming. This argument with you is just as much about Bonds as it is Bonds passing Ruth.

It has all to do with Bonds breaking all time slugging, OPS, and obp records held by other players who didn't cheat as blatantly. People like Greenberg, Gehrig, Ruth, Williams, Aaron, Mays, Foxx, and ect. are being marginalized by a cheater.

 

That's my bias as a baseball fan who respects it's history and my bias as someone who doesn't think cheaters deserve credit.

 

I'm not going to waste my time, but the head thing is stupid, you're using two baseball card pictures with one clearly taken from farther away than the other, so it proves nothing. I already discussed this with you about if his head grew nearly as big as you claim, his hat-size would be off the charts.

It is rather simple, especially with the case of Bonds. Those are clear pictures of roughly an identical angle. As long as you match up something who's size enver changes, his eyes, you could then make the correct proportion. Bond's head when adjusted for this is most definitely larger and I do not doubt. This is without getting into very massive circumstancial evidence against Bonds.

 

Bonds is not "obviously" a juicer, he doesn't deserve to be booed out of stadiums, hell, Giambi is "obviously" a juicer, go boo him out of Yankee stadium. Until you can prove something with a drug test, give the man a break.

No, Giambi, Sheffield, and Bonds (among others) bulked up considerably and all had connections with a steroid ring, and recieved PACKAGES from it, and one had a trainer who out right gave out the substances, and Barry and Gary work out together. A positive drug test is way too much to ask for, because you would have to be really stupid to fail one of those (hence the NFL barely ever catches ANYONE.)

 

If Giambi and Sheff were breaking all time records they deserved to be booed out of stadiums. In my honest opinion all cheaters deserve career ending injuries.

 

And about the gaining mass this offseason? I have not heard that, and my best recollection is that people were talking about how much trimmer he was, not to the extreme that Giambi went, but I don't think he gained all that much in the offseason.

 

Bonds gained 8 pounds and according to Giambi he lost 4 but it looks like a lot more (but it appears he has gained some of that muscle back.)

 

Besides, if you spent 95% of your time in the offseason dieting, working out, cross-training, hitting and running, you don't think you're going to put on a few pounds of muscle? I put on a few pounds of muscle over the winter, does that mean I juice?

 

Juicers know this...you hit a point where you cannot add more muscle mass naturally. Of course, if this weren't true, we could gain infinite muscle mass. Nonetheless, Bonds had a very long career and WORKED out BEFORE he all of the sudden started weigh 230 or so pounds. He also packed on PURE MUSCLE.

 

Look at Todd Helton, he gained 20 pounds by "eating alot", but even though he worked out, not all of it was muscle, he in fact has some fat. He's not grossly out of shape, he's just not superhuman, like Bonds.

Do I think Bonds took Steroids? Yes.

 

Do I have eyewitness accounts, or have I personally seen him do it? No.

 

Did Selena Quintanilla Perez get shot and killed? Yes.

 

Did I see who did it? No.

 

Did anyone see who did it? No.

 

Did Yolanda Saldivar get convivted and imprisoned for the murder based on insurmountable evidence? Yes.

 

Did the fact that she said she didnt do it get her off the hook? No.

 

Did people believe her when she denied the crime? No.

 

Why? Because the evidence was stacked so high against her, one could not logically or intelligently deny her guilt.

 

I know that Bonds situation is a lot less of a crime, but he has insurmountable evidence stacked against him, yet everyone thinks he's the victim of jealous, racist opression, and not a flat out cheater and drug abuser. But then again, i have the feeling that even if he did fail a drug test, people would be clamoring that the test was rigged just to get Bonds. It's a sad world we live in when Hero Worship is more prevelant than our justice system.

Do I think Bonds took Steroids? Yes.

 

Do I have eyewitness accounts, or have I personally seen him do it? No.

 

Did Selena Quintanilla Perez get shot and killed? Yes.

 

Did I see who did it? No.

 

Did anyone see who did it? No.

 

Did Yolanda Saldivar get convivted and imprisoned for the murder based on insurmountable evidence? Yes.

 

Did the fact that she said she didnt do it get her off the hook? No.

 

Did people believe her when she denied the crime? No.

 

Why? Because the evidence was stacked so high against her, one could not logically or intelligently deny her guilt.

 

I know that Bonds situation is a lot less of a crime, but he has insurmountable evidence stacked against him, yet everyone thinks he's the victim of jealous, racist opression, and not a flat out cheater and drug abuser. But then again, i have the feeling that even if he did fail a drug test, people would be clamoring that the test was rigged just to get Bonds. It's a sad world we live in when Hero Worship is more prevelant than our justice system.

Don't come on here and talk about a sad world and justice systems when you're blatantly ignoring the fundamental principle of our justice system, which is innocent until proven guilty.