When Barry Bonds was the sole player facing consequences for impeding steroid scandal inquiry

Despite his accolades, MLB star Barry Bonds had a difficult career. He is known for his involvement in the baseball steroid scandal. Bonds was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice in 2007. He allegedly lied to a grand jury during the federal government's investigation into BALCO, a manufacturer of undetectable steroids.

The baseball legend was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said during the sentencing:

The “jury got it right. Mr. Bonds managed to obstruct justice."

The jury stated that Bonds' testimony to the federal grand jury investigating steroid use was "evasive."

“Because Bonds’s efforts were a corrupt, intentional effort to interfere with that mission, a sentence of 15 months imprisonment is appropriate,” the prosecution said in its memo to Judge Illston.

Bonds was not voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the writers. He failed to receive enough votes in each of the 10 years he was on the ballot. The Contemporary Baseball Committee met in December to discuss his eligibility for the 2023 Hall of Fame class. They elected not to vote him into the Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds was once supported by Deion Sanders

At one point, NFL star Deion Sanders criticized voters for failing to elect Bonds into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

"Barry Bonds is the best baseball player I've ever seen... it's an atrocity what they're doing with him in the Hall of Fame," Deion Sanders said.

Barry Bonds arguably the best baseball player ever. Teammates in 1995 San Francisco Giants. 3 MVP'S Before he was EVER accused of anything. #Thinkaboutthat #Truth - Deion Sanders

The accusations against Bonds for using anabolic steroids were the focus of his perjury case. Bonds' inadequate response to a question during his grand jury testimony led to his conviction on one felony count of impeding justice in April 2011. After a mistrial was declared, three perjury charges were dropped.

Barry Bonds Arraigned In Steroids Perjury Trial

Bonds was accused of the following, according to court records from his perjury trial (via ESPN):

1. Bonds had three distinct steroid types in his system.

2. According to Bonds' business manager, Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson, acknowledged injecting Bonds with PEDs "all over the place."

3. Bonds kept calendars for doping and steroid use.

4. Evidence pointed to an "intimidating" connection with Balco.

Bonds posted a .298/.444/.607 slashline with 762 home runs and 1996 RBIs in 22 MLB seasons.