Major Controversies Surrounding Barry Bonds: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Barry Bonds.

Barry Bonds, a former MLB left fielder, played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-1992) and San Francisco Giants (1993-2007). Widely regarded as one of baseball's all-time greats, he holds numerous records. His career is also marked by controversy surrounding allegations of performance-enhancing drug use.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 12, 1993: Ejected From Game

On May 12, 1993, Barry Bonds and his father were ejected from a game against the Colorado Rockies after an on-field fight.

December 1994: Divorced from Susann

In December 1994, Barry Bonds and Susann Branco officially divorced. The divorce was a media affair.

May 9, 1996: Bonds Shoves Journalist

On May 9, 1996, Barry Bonds shoved USA Today journalist Rod Beaton in the team's clubhouse after telling Beaton to leave before a scheduled interview. The incident led to a grievance filed by USA Today with the team.

1999: Omission from All-Century Team

In 1999, Barry Bonds was not selected for Major League Baseball's All-Century Team, while Ken Griffey Jr. was chosen instead. This led to discussions about Bonds's appreciation and his standing among the greatest players.

August 21, 2000: Prenuptial Agreement Upheld

On August 21, 2000, the Supreme Court of California unanimously held that the prenuptial agreement between Barry Bonds and Susann Branco was entered into voluntarily. This decision later led to changes in California law.

November 2000: Reference to a November 2000 test

In November 2000, a previously disclosed test for Barry Bonds was revealed during proceedings

2000: Anderson Becomes Bonds' Trainer

In 2000, Greg Anderson became Barry Bonds' personal trainer, later leading to his indictment in 2003 for supplying anabolic steroids to athletes and controversy surrounding Bonds' alleged performance enhancing drugs use.

November 2001: Erroneous Allegation of Positive Steroid Test

In November 2001, Federal prosecutors erroneously alleged that Barry Bonds tested positive for steroids

December 4, 2003: Bonds' Grand Jury Testimony

During grand jury testimony on December 4, 2003, Barry Bonds stated that he used a clear substance and a cream provided by his trainer Greg Anderson, who identified them as flaxseed oil and a rubbing balm for arthritis.

2003: Grand Jury Appearance

In 2003, Barry Bonds appeared before a grand jury, which later led to an obstruction of justice conviction.

2003: Withdrawal from MLBPA Licensing Agreement

In 2003, Barry Bonds withdrew from the MLB Players Association (MLBPA) licensing agreement, impacting the use of his name and likeness in licensed merchandise and some baseball video games.

2003: Indictment of Greg Anderson

In 2003, Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds' trainer, was indicted for supplying anabolic steroids to athletes, leading to speculation about Bonds' use of performance-enhancing drugs. Bonds declared his innocence, attributing his physique changes to diet, bodybuilding and supplements.

2003: Bonds and the BALCO Scandal

Since 2003, Barry Bonds has been a key figure in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) scandal involving performance-enhancing anabolic steroids. He was under investigation by a federal grand jury.

July 2005: BALCO Defendants Strike Deals

In July 2005, all four defendants in the BALCO steroid scandal trial, including Greg Anderson, made deals with federal prosecutors that did not require them to reveal names of athletes who might have used banned drugs.

2005: Steroid Use Suspension

In 2005, Clay Hensley of the San Diego Padres was suspended by baseball for steroid use. He later gave up home run number 755 to Barry Bonds in 2007, tying Hank Aaron's all-time record.

2005: Hank Aaron's opinion on Bonds and Steroid usage

In 2005, as Barry Bonds approached Hank Aaron's home run record, Aaron expressed that he was a fan and admirer of Bonds and avoided the controversy regarding Bonds's alleged steroid use. He felt that the fans should determine the recognition and respect for the award. Aaron later expressed that he felt drug and steroid use to boost athletic performance was inappropriate.

March 2006: Release of "Game of Shadows"

In March 2006, the book "Game of Shadows" by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada, alleging Barry Bonds' steroid use, was released and generated significant media attention.

April 2006: Airing of "Bonds on Bonds"

In April 2006, ESPN aired episodes of "Bonds on Bonds", a reality TV series focusing on Barry Bonds' chase of home run records.

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May 2006: Further Episodes of "Bonds on Bonds"

In May 2006, ESPN continued to air episodes of "Bonds on Bonds", a reality TV series focused on Barry Bonds' chase of home run records.

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May 2006: Release of "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Anti-Hero"

In May 2006, Jeff Pearlman released his biography of Barry Bonds, titled "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Anti-Hero", which included numerous allegations against Bonds and relied on over five hundred interviews.

Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero

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June 2006: "Bonds on Bonds" Canceled

In June 2006, the "Bonds on Bonds" reality TV series was canceled by ESPN due to creative control issues.

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January 2007: Positive Test for Amphetamines

In January 2007, it was reported that Barry Bonds tested positive for amphetamines. The New York Daily News leaked the test's results. Bonds initially attributed it to a substance he had taken from teammate Mark Sweeney's locker, but later retracted this claim and apologized to Sweeney.

February 14, 2007: Ellerman Pleads Guilty to Leaking Testimony

On February 14, 2007, Troy Ellerman, a lawyer for Victor Conte, pleaded guilty to leaking grand jury testimony in the BALCO case and faced jail time.

November 15, 2007: Bonds Indicted on Perjury and Obstruction

On November 15, 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted on perjury and obstruction of justice charges related to his testimony in the BALCO case. The indictment alleged that Bonds lied under oath about his alleged use of steroids.

2007: Indicted on Perjury and Obstruction of Justice Charges

In 2007, Barry Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice following the federal government's investigation of BALCO.

February 14, 2008: Typo in Court Papers

On February 14, 2008, a typo in court papers erroneously alleged that Barry Bonds tested positive for steroids in November 2001, a month after hitting his record 73rd home run. The reference was meant to refer to a November 2000 test.

March 2, 2009: Trial Postponement

On March 2, 2009, jury selection for Barry Bonds' trial for obstruction of justice was postponed due to emergency appeals by the prosecution.

2010: Son Charged with Misdemeanors

In 2010, Barry Bonds's son, Nikolai, was charged with five misdemeanors after a confrontation with his mother, Sun Bonds. A restraining order was granted against Nikolai.

March 21, 2011: Trial Commences

On March 21, 2011, Barry Bonds' trial for obstruction of justice commenced, with Judge Susan Illston presiding.

April 13, 2011: Conviction on Obstruction of Justice

On April 13, 2011, Barry Bonds was convicted on the obstruction of justice charge for giving an evasive answer to a question under oath.

December 15, 2011: Bonds Sentenced in Obstruction of Justice Case

On December 15, 2011, Barry Bonds was sentenced to 30 days of house arrest, two years of probation, and 250 hours of community service for an obstruction of justice conviction stemming from a 2003 grand jury appearance. The sentence was delayed pending an appeal.

2011: Convicted of Obstruction of Justice

In 2011, Barry Bonds was convicted of obstruction of justice, stemming from the BALCO investigation, after perjury charges were dropped.

2013: Conviction Affirmed by Appeals Court Panel

In 2013, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed Barry Bonds' conviction for obstruction of justice.

2013: Conviction Upheld on Appeal

In 2013, a three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld Barry Bonds' conviction for obstruction of justice.

April 22, 2015: Conviction Overturned on Appeal

On April 22, 2015, an 11-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit voted 10–1 that Barry Bonds' testimony was not obstruction, overturning his conviction.

May 2015: Bonds Files Grievance Against MLB

In May 2015, Barry Bonds filed a grievance against Major League Baseball through the players' union, alleging collusion in not signing him after the 2007 season.

August 2015: Arbitrator Rules Against Bonds in Collusion Case

In August 2015, an arbitrator ruled in favor of MLB and against Barry Bonds in his collusion case.

2015: Exonerated on Appeal

In 2015, Barry Bonds was exonerated on appeal regarding his 2011 conviction of obstruction of justice.

2015: Conviction Overturned by Full Appeals Court

In 2015, Barry Bonds' appeal was reheard by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit en banc, which voted 10–1 to overturn his conviction.