The scanty, diaphanous veil of doubt that has covered Barry Bonds' alleged steroid use appears to have been well and truly ripped away. A book by two SF Chronicle writers is about to be released that describes in numbing detail Bonds' injection and pill regimen, which apparently started in 1998.
The details apparently come from many sources, several of which are nominally confidential. I have deep misgivings about the disclosure grand jury testimony, which led to Jason Giambi's semi-confession and brought Bonds' "the Cream" and "the Clear" into the sports lexicon. However, if the new book is to be believed, Bonds is and was a cheater of the highest order. Even if the use and effectiveness of certain "dietary supplements" that were not banned at the time is subject to reasonable debate, the direct injestion of human growth hormone and a steroid "designed to improve the muscle quality of cattle" is beyond the pale.
Denials are to be expected. However, the breadth and scope of the allegations (which is rapidly approaching "proof") is going to make those denials ring mighty hollow. The only mystery remaining in my mind is why Bonds has not been tagged by MLB's drug testing, as Rafael Palmeiro (and several lesser lights) was last year. The guy takes a pharmacy's worth of steroids every day and never pops up on a drug screen? It's odd, and the only thread left of the veil, which no longer conceals anything of consequence.
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