Barry’s Trial Starts Next Week
That will be at least moderately interesting to follow. There is so much I don’t know about the legal system. For instance, I read that Barry’s lawyers are working to get voice mails he left in ’94 for his girlfriend thrown out as evidence. Apparently, the prosecution says that Barry sounds “irritated” on the voice mails, and that since irritability is a sign of steroid use, the voice mails FROM NINETEEN NINETY FOUR!, would support the accusation that he was on steroids.
Huh?
Sorry, but if that’s an example of evidence I wouldn’t be sweatin’ this too hard if I was Barry. I’m assuming some of you legal guys could shed some light on why the prosecution would use something as evidence that seems like a total reach and why the defense would be trying to get something that seems so trivial thrown out……
Barry Bonds is an asshole. He was born irritated……..
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
most…impossible…to…call…bbs…ever
If you like rubber tits.
I’m not an attorney, though I play one on TV, but Bonds’ defense team has already acknowledged that he is and was an asshole. In fact, that’s a large part of their entire defense.
Bonds’ trial reminds me of the show-trials in Stalinist Russia. He clearly is being scapegoated. The sports media hates him. There is also an element of usually unconscious racism involved where this “black asshole” presumably used steroids to overthrow the historical records of white heroes such as Roger Maris, Babe Ruth and Mark McGwire.
Rather than making an object lesson out of unarguably one of the greatest hitters of all time; the ones who should be on trial, if there should be a trial, are a raft of owners and Bud Selig. These guys winked at and tacitly endorsed the early stages of steroid use after the players strike had threatened to bring down the game and did shut down the W.S. one year. Pretty soon McGwire and Sosa electrified the baseball world with their steroid-based slugging feats. If Bonds did, indeed, use, it was because he was fully aware that that pair of dildos could not hold up his jockstrap as a hitter and that if artificial enhancement was the way to go, he would show the world.
If Bonds is guilty of anything, it is his prideful nature.
Recalls the now famous line that prosecuters can get a grand jury to “indict a ham sandwich”…
And they got themselves a big ass ham.
Will they also prosecute Clemens? I’ve read Novitski is also going all out to prove Lance Armstrong is lying.
The evidence that Bonds’ team wants out pretty much acknowledges guilt. So I don’t think it will come down to guilt or innocence, rather whether the jurors find the vendetta more repulsive than the “crime”..
Bonds is in court. The NFL is going to court. Everybody’s going to court. Screw ’em all. I’ll stick to the Three Stooges and “Disorder in the Court.”
“Kindly speak English and drop the vernacular. ”
“Vernaculah? That’s a doiby!”
I guess we’re subbing Runzler for Dirrrty today. Don’t wanna let the Bums get a look at who they’ll face in the second game of the opening series. That Bochy is one smart cookie. I bet he’d make a fine lawyer. If there is such a thing.
Let the record state that Juror No. 6 voted for the brunette. I was taking copious notes all through her trial.
I thought it was more of “did he lie to the grand jury” and less “did he use steroids”
one was a common mis-judgement by him and his peers.
the other carries some serious jail time.
the fact that I don’t really know applies at all times.
the BBs have smiles!
____ __ ___
/\ _`\ /\ \__ /’___\
\ \,\L\_\ \ ,_\ __ ___ ___ _____ ___ /\ \__/
\/_\__ \\ \ \/ /’__`\ /’ __` __`\/\ ‘__`\ / __`\ \ ,__\
/\ \L\ \ \ \_/\ \L\.\_/\ \/\ \/\ \ \ \L\ \ /\ \L\ \ \ \_/
\ `\____\ \__\ \__/.\_\ \_\ \_\ \_\ \ ,__/ \ \____/\ \_\
\/_____/\/__/\/__/\/_/\/_/\/_/\/_/\ \ \/ \/___/ \/_/
\ \_\
\/_/
______ ___
/\ _ \ /\_ \
\ \ \L\ \ _____ _____ _ __ ___ __ __ __ \//\ \
\ \ __ \/\ ‘__`\/\ ‘__`\/\`’__\/ __`\/\ \/\ \ /’__`\ \ \ \
\ \ \/\ \ \ \L\ \ \ \L\ \ \ \//\ \L\ \ \ \_/ |/\ \L\.\_ \_\ \_
\ \_\ \_\ \ ,__/\ \ ,__/\ \_\\ \____/\ \___/ \ \__/.\_\/\____\
\/_/\/_/\ \ \/ \ \ \/ \/_/ \/___/ \/__/ \/__/\/_/\/____/
\ \_\ \ \_\
\/_/ \/_/
I forgot wordpress eats spaces.
really need that edit or preview stuff.
so that is Stamp of
Approval without spaces. Yeah, I’m weird. 😛
If irritated phone calls to wives and/or girlfriends were probative of steroid use, I’d say just about everyone here has used or is using ‘roids. The prosecution has been denied use of its best witness (Anderson) by his refusal to testify. He would allegedly have been able to tie Bonds specifically to using ‘roids, via personal knowledge and by supporting / explaining contemporaneous documentary evidence in records Anderson supposedly made himself during the ‘roid regimen. So, the prosecution is left with less probative evidence — essentially circumstantial — such as testicular shrinkage, head size, irritated phone calls. They hope the weight of such things will tip the evidentiary tide. Direct testimony of Estellea and other players that say they saw Bonds use or that he told them he used can be contradicted by Bonds on a “he said, he said” basis, plus the defense pointing out that each witness may have some motivation to lie. So, the defense is trying to rid the prosecution’s evidentiary bag piece by small evidentiary piece. I think the prosecution has a tough go. If there’s only one closeted Giants fan in the jury box, they are toast…
Last night, the Giants’ local NBC broadcast was in its usual glitchy mid-season form. Nobody does herky jerky like that local broadcast.
It perplexed me the other day when Suppan was awarded a save after he came in the ninth inning with a 4-0 lead. I didn’t think you could get a save with a lead more than 3, with no one on base. Was there a runner on base when he came in? Anyone remember?
It’s because he went three innings…
KNTV sucks. When they do Friday night games at home, half the cameras in the park are shut down. Still they can’t handle even the ones they use.
Because Anderson’s “unavailable” to testify (i.e., refusing to comply with a court order to do so, and, for the duration of the trial probably in the slammer), comments he made to other players may be admissible over hearsay objections if the comments were, in the vernacular “statements against interest.” In other words, let’s say Anderson told Marvin Benard or Bobby E, “Barry I were using some of the illegal steroids on him for a while, and he liked the results, but now that testing’s getting strict, we’ve decided to switch to this bitchin BALCO stuff that mlb can’t detect yet. You won’t hit like Barry, but you’ll hit a fuck of a lot better than you do now. Want some?” That part about giving Barry illegal steroids probably would be admissible, because Anderson’s essentially admitting to committing a crime. (The idea is that he probably wouldn’t have said it if it weren’t true. Hearsay and hearsay exceptions are pretty technical.) Anyway, that’s why the government wants the other players to testify; if they can’t get a bunch of Anderson’s own words into the record about Bonds have detailed knowledge about what Anderson was giving him, then the case probably does become circumstantial. If that’s the situation, then the government’s going to want to get as much steroid evidence in as possible, everything from acne on his back to anger in his voice mail messages. The judge will not allow it all in. Some of that stuff is just mud, with little relevance (prejudice will outweigh probative value, as Curly would put it).
And the criminal charges are about evasive testimony under oath as to whether he KNEW he was taking the juice. That’s it. That’s his horrible “crime.”
And I would be stunned if Barry took the stand. As a defendant, he doesn’t need to. The beyond a reasonable doubt burden is all on the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California. (I would love to know why the brand new appointee to the post didn’t pull the plug on this thing. Maybe she figures she can just blame it on her Republican predecessors.)
And finally it’s all bullshit. Stix is right. Bonds is the 21st Century Jack` Johnson.
Xoot, I dunno about Bonds not testifying. Probably he won’t, unless something really nasty gets in that we haven’t heard about, and they need to throw out caution to the wind to save the situation. Unlikely, though…
Sorry about the typos in my screed. Hard to see out here on the deck, warm sun and all. I’m not a criminal lawyer (no matter how you twist that meaning around), so I can only guess about Bonds testifying. But what would he say? No, I didn’t know? It was flaxseed oild and arthritis balm, far as I knew? Yes, my home run totals soared as I got older, but man that flaxseed oil is something, so I never knew, never asked. Pretty weak display.
btw, is today a Latin American holiday or something? I went to the weather channel to see how tomorrow will be and learned that we’ll have “chubascos por la tarde.” Well muchisimas gracias, compa.
What I’m thinking is that his usefulness to testify would best be to contradict the other players direct testimony. However, it their testimony is pretty attenuated, the defense could probably deflect it easily by casting doubt on truthfullness with the “what did the gov’t do for you in xchange” argument, and leave Barry off the stand. Bonds is a smart dude. I think he could leave his sullen nature aside, and turn on some charm on the stand, if need be. We’ve seen it B4. I think after a few years of prep now, he could probably handle himself on the stand if needed, without getting tripped up too much…
So, if one thinks he gets off, why? I think the only way is that the jury is sick of it. No one can possibly believe he didn’t perjure himself.
I don’t mean to sound as if I am unsympathetic to Bonds- I think he ( and Clemens and the lot of them) should get off. But he is clearly guilty of the charges.(IMO)..
Guilty as charged! No statue for him!
I agree. Again, I’m basically guessing, but I think the “materiality” prong of the perjury test will help him. His “lies” didn’t impede the BALCO prosecution, for example. What’s the big deal? If the evasiveness wasn’t material, he should walk. Sounds like a question of fact, for the jury. And a lot people on the jury are going to be a generous mood because they’ve been basking all winter.
Regardless of how this trial turns out, I have little doubt that Greg Anderson at some point down the road will have a nice, long-term very well paid gig, all above board, taxes paid, etc., as somebody’s or some place’s head or specialty trainer/consultant…
Snarkk: Right. No doubt Anderson is taking one for the team, as it were and almost certainly has been assured that his courageous action will benefit him in the long-run. The friggen Feds had no business pulling this shit in the first place. Case shouldda been dropped years ago. They got more important things to do like go after the Wall Street Banksters who have screwed us outta trillions.
TF, thanks for the answer to my ‘Suppan save’ question.
You guys have the BEST job-getting vibes around! I had an interview yesterday and I start a temp gig on Monday. It may turn out to be permanent but for now I’m just glad to be making more than unemployment pays. Thanks for all the good wishes.
Can I just say how happy it makes me to see that the brunette is leading the vote!
Atta BABE fh!!!
but you’re wrong about the brunette.
the true answer to which one is hotter is directly related to the which one is more likely to be sitting on your face.
Real classy.
ferret, excellent
I know they’re World Champs and all, but isn’t 13-4 getting just a bit ridiculous?Yes, i also know it’s just ‘meaningless’ Spring Training, but this whole bunch, regulars, rookies, hitters and pitchers all seem to have picked up this Win virus. Hope it isn’t contagious and that the Giants keep it to themselves.
Just looked up spring stats to date and curiously enough there are comparatively few Giants among the leaders, except for Lincecum and Bumgarner being one and three in strikeouts; Casey Daigle leading in saves and Darren Ford stealing everything in sight. So it has been much a group effort, with Marc Kroon now added to their long list of winning pitchers and Gary Brown driving in the winning runs in that 9th inning rally. Seems like practically everyone is contributing.
One way or another the team needs to do some creative trading or something in order to keep Ford on the 25-man. Thunderbird, Mustang with a hemi, whatever, that little unit is FAST. He’s a weapon. A couple more speedsters in Gary Brown and Francisco Peguero seem to be coming along nicely too. Add some speed to above average hitting and defense and throw in world class pitching just for shits and giggles and you might got a team for the ages.
There just is something about playing for a winner.
Decent profile of Timmy (sure glad he lost that mustache). If nothing else, read the last 5 or 6 paragraphs. Worth it for any member of the 2010 Defending World Champions Eternal Basking Society:
http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/11/little-big-man/
Pawlie, thanks for link to the Timmy story. Though a tad too prolix for me (I have a very short attention span), I enjoyed the article very much. But they said one of Timmy’s various nicknames was “Seabiscuit.” I’ve never heard anyone refer to our 2-time Cy Young Award winner as Seabiscuit. And believe you me. If someone would have mentioned Seabiscuit, my ears would have pricked.
Did you know Seabiscuit’s sire was named Hard Tack? Yep. What I didn’t know was that a hardtack was a cracker eaten by sailors. Then again I’m not a sailor. But I sure hell know how to fucking swear like one of those goddamn motherfucking seagoing bastards. It must come from all my years living on the poop deck.
Dennis:
CAATMAO
(chuckling almost audibly to myself and others)
yeah, I’ve not heard of the Seabiscuit bit either
Dennis: Could be handy having your ears pricked with two of those BBs to deal with at once.
Watching the 2011 giants preview on com cast. Interview with the players talk about the parade, soo cool!!!
can someone give us even a half-irrational (or half-rational) case for changing the clocks, hunh?
Well, the Royals just sent down Kevin Pucetas (remember him?) and the Rangers (remember them?) invited Brett Tomko (remember him? ahem) to major league camp. Speaking of the Rangers, they had a coup d’etat yesterday. Or something. Nolan Ryan squeezed out Chuck Greenberg. He was only the CEO and only one of the guys who bought the team out of bankruptcy. Way to go, Nolan. Yippee cay-ayyy!!
Kingston Charcoal is the answer,Pawlie…
http://tinyurl.com/4rxms6l
it sounded just about that stupid; thanks, Michael. I had thought DST had something to do with railroads. True or not, golf makes more sense. In a revolting sort of way. Yeah. Charcoal. 7-Eleven. Potatoes. Folderol.
This guy could have at least grammar checked his email to me. I mean come on, it’s 1 million pounds and I’m the goddamn winner. I’m contacting his supervisor…….
The British Tobacco Company has awarded your Email ID the sum of 1 Million Pounds.
Inbox
X
Reply
jack-burney@sbcglobal.net
show details 6:22 PM (1 hour ago)
Reply Us For The Claims Purpose.
Names:
Address/Country:
Tel.:
Stix, I’ll be the first to admit, they may only be Spring Training games, but I like winning them! I like watching the players and coaches getting to do the handshake ritual after the wins. It keeps the mojo from last season going on. Everyone is expected to go into the games and contribute to the winning effort.
this is crazy. Is this Timmy doing his version of the Machine?
OK- that’s pretty funny. Timmy did some good schtick there.
that is a total gag, it’s Lincecum. He even shakes his hair out the same way as Timmy. I know he has said it’s not him but it is. It has to be. Right?
the first second or two he sounds Irish……
Timmy could have contacted his relatives in the Philippines to see whether any uncles or cousins could grow a stache. Not much more facial hair among the Malay races than amongst East Asians or Native Americans. But i’m sure it was fun to give it a shot. Watching that video Kevin posted Timmy reminded me of a coiled spring, while Wilson’s pitches were more like dart tosses. It looks like NL teams are not gonna much like facing that SF staff. It’s like they take all the fun outta standing at the plate with a bat in your hands.
G’s fans have to love the way things are going this spring. Knock on wood! Even the kids look good. Belt is certain to be a starter soon and if body language is an indication, Brown, Culberson and Crawford all look like ML players. The future is indeed bright.
Don’t know what they will do with Rowand, but it looks like he’s the odd man out.
Has to be Lincecum. Scary, I’m starting to like this schtick by the pitchers, maybe it keeps ’em loose…
Good Night all. Really enjoyed watching the kids pull off the rally. Neal,Brown,Peguero- no water buffalos there…
I’ll tell you one thing, that ain’t no Brazillion(sic) accent.
These fucking Giants are nuts. And I fucking love it!
Like I said, the first word or two he says sounds Irish… I love this team
best…sf…giants…ever
(well, since they won the fucking WS, that kinda goes without saying. But still…I love this fucking team!! And consideration of Cody Ross to spell Andres Torres when needed in center as opposed to Rowand? Weird fucking thought. Ross looks like he can cover CF as well as me but…slooowly, slooowly inching out Rowand. All good. Let him hang out with Kent and discuss facial hair and supporting the porn look. Speaking of which, Happy Birthday Ron Jeremy!!)
And since I’m home on a Saturday night, a rarity recently, allow me to iterate and oldie…
Goodnight, gentlemen (question mark)
Ted, IMHO, you’ve always had (and continue to have) the best good-humored, good-natured, good-bye of them all.”Goodnight, gentlemen (question mark),” brings a kick to my pants every damn time. (NO question mark needed)
You know what else is not needed? You’re damn straight. NO Whitey.