 MSNBC.com |
Bonds might sue accusers, including Schilling
MSNBC News Services
Barry Bonds apparently is ready to fight back.
According to a report by InsideBayArea.com, the web site for the Oakland Tribune, the new home run king has hired two lawyers to go after and punish those that make false statements about him.
Oakland’s John Burris and San Francisco’s Todd Schneider announced Monday they will defend the slugger against false statements made by private citizens related to any illegal act someone might claim Bonds has admitted to.
“Barry is basically saying that he has been kicked around a lot and he is tired of being kicked around,” Burris said. “Our issue is really about statements that are made that are attributed to him that are not true. Particularly, statements that someone might say he made about the use of steroids or tax evasion.”
In his press release, Burris referred to Bonds’ former girlfriend, who made accusations in a Playboy article, and a former business partner who supposedly told the FBI that Bonds had evaded taxes, as examples of what kind of statements he would investigate.
"This is directed at Schilling more than anybody," criminal defense attorney Michael Rains, representing Bonds in a grand jury probe related to the BALCO case, told the San Jose Mercury News.
"Schilling said some things that were inappropriate and potentially defamatory. I know it was upsetting to Barry. We talked about the issue and I know he was talking to some civil lawyers to put people on notice that he has someone defending him."
According to various reports, most notably in the book “Game of Shadows,” that was released in 2006, Bonds began using steroids after the 1998 season that featured Mark McGwire’s and Sammy Sosa’s march past Roger Maris’ single-season record of 61 home runs.
Ever since, Bonds has been dogged by reporters and booed at every ballpark around the country while he chased Hank Aaron’s all-time home run mark that he eclipsed last Tuesday at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
“While pursuing Hank Aaron’s home run record, Barry felt that it was more prudent to remain silent,” a statement read. “Now that the record has been broken, Burris and Schneider will evaluate any and all statements attributed to him that are false.”
Burris said the purpose of the announcement and his retention as Bonds’ attorney is not to go after media publications or to curtail free speech and opinions against the controversial baseball player. Instead, he said, it is to stop those who might think they know something about Bonds from telling a false story.
Barry Bonds - before and after steroid use
