Why are steroids suddenly such a big deal in baseball?
It began last fall when several baseball players, including Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, were among dozens of athletes to testify before a federal grand jury in San Francisco. The grand jury was investigating whether Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO, which makes nutritional supplements, was distributing steroids and other banned drugs to athletes.
What did the Grand Jury find?
On Feb. 13, indictments were brought against four men who have been charged with distributing illegal drugs to athletes. One of the men is Greg Anderson, Bonds’ personal trainer, who allegedly received drugs from BALCO.
What have Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield said?
All have denied using steroids. But on Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Anderson told federal agents he gave Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield steroids and human growth hormone.
What’s the difference between steroids and human growth hormone?
Steroids, such as THG, can be detected through drug testing. So far, human growth hormone, which functions like a steroid, cannot.
What have other players said about the steroids scandal?
Turk Wendell, Denny Neagle and John Smoltz have all made comments that they believe some players have used steroids. Wendell went so far as to accuse Bonds of using them.
Wendell, Neagle and Smoltz, they’re all pitchers, right? Yep.
Five strikes: Getting caught
First positive: Treatment, no fine or suspension.
Second: A 15-day suspension or fine of up to $10,000.
Third: 25-day suspension or fine of up to $25,000.
Fourth: 50-day suspension or fine of up to $50,000.
Fifth: One-year suspension or fine of up to $100,000.
– – –
Do numbers ever lie?
Sluggers Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield were among the pro athletes who allegedly received illegal steroids and human growth hormone from one of the figures indicted in the BALCO grand jury investigation. All three of the named sluggers have denied in the past using steroids. Here’s a measured look at the home-run totals of the three superstar baseball players involved.
BONDS
1986-1989
24.8
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB
2,082
Tot. HR
84
1990-1993
14.7
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,031138
1994-1997
12.8
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
1,946152
1998-2000
11.6
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
1,387120
2001-2003
7.7
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
1,269164
SHEFFIELD
1988-1993
29.2
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,16174
1994-1999
15.3
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,484162
2000-2003
14.6
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,084143
GIAMBI
1995-1999
22.3
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,368106
2000-2003
13.0
average number of at-bats per home run
Tot. AB Tot. HR
2,125163
———-
Edited by Chris Malcolm (ccmalcolm@tribune.com) and Chris Courtney (cdcpurtney@tribune.com)
