2007年VOA标准英语-Baseball Slugger Barry Bonds Nears Home Run Rec

Baseball fans around the world have watched Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants pursue a date with destiny.  The Giants' home run slugger first eclipsed Babe Ruth's home run total of 714, then set his sights on baseball's all-time record of 755, set by Hank Aaron more than 30 years ago. But Bonds' race toward the record books has been controversial because of allegations that his power at the plate was achieved through steroid use. VOA's Robert Raffaele has more.

Barry Bonds

But instead of the wild enthusiasm that has greeted other baseball achievements, Bonds' pursuit of history has been greeted with derision and even indifference¹ by fans and sports journalists.

The reason -- allegations that he used now-outlawed performance-enhancing steroids.
Bonds' repeated denials and claims of innocence² have been met with scorn by disbelieving fans.

Baseball fan Daniel Kramer

The allegations were detailed³ in the 2003 book "Game of Shawdows," which led to a grand jury investigation⁴.  Bonds eventually testified he thought his trainer had given him arthritis⁵ balm and flaxseed oil.  His trainer pleaded guilty to steroid distribution and money laundering⁶ charges.  Prosecutors⁷ are now investigating Bonds for perjury⁸ in connection to his testimony⁹.

Other famous baseball players have faced allegations of steroid use.

As the controversy¹⁰ surrounding Bonds intensified¹¹ last season, New York Times sports columnist¹² William Rhoden defended the player's pursuit of the record.  "Baseball did not have a Major League policy regarding steroids,” says Rhoden. “They do now. You can't go back and punish someone for something that did not exist. "

But the man who has heard Bonds' footsteps closing in on his record appears to have no love lost for the Giants slugger.  "I don't have any thoughts about Barry,” says Aaron. “I don't even know how to spell his name," he added.