Bonds Reportedly being Investigated by Baseball

The Kansas City Star has this piece on Major League Baseball player Barry Bonds:

While Giants outfielder Barry Bonds rehabilitates his troublesome left knee, Major League Baseball is conducting its own investigation into the troubled slugger, major-league sources told the New York Daily News.

MLB security officials believe Bonds may be at risk of ultimate imprisonment over allegations of tax fraud, and are conducting their own probe into Bonds’ relationships and activities. An official from another club said the Giants’ front office “is starting to freak out” over Bonds’ mounting problems.

“I think they realize they’ve let the situation get away from them,” the source said.

The most recent controversy centers on Bonds’ reliance on his own doctors and trainers as he attempts to rehabilitate his right knee. Bonds, 40, is recovering from three surgeries on the knee since Jan. 31.

Bonds’ surgeon, Albert Ting, has been reprimanded twice by the California state medical board and is on probation for “unprofessional conduct,” according to reports.

Baseball’s labor agreement allows players to go outside the organization for help, but requires that the player keep the team informed of any developments.

MLB was not happy to hear that Ting, who performed all three of Bonds’ knee surgeries, has had trouble with the law. Because Bonds is under government investigation for perjury relating to his testimony before the BALCO grand jury and possible tax fraud involving allegedly undeclared income from memorabilia sales, baseball’s investigators have found it difficult to conduct their own inquiry, sources said.

Officials aren’t sure where the investigation will lead or what action they would take if they find Bonds has violated baseball’s rules.

Does anyone really think that Bonds will play baseball again? NO!

The knee surgery is a distraction and a ruse. Using a disciplined orthopedic physician is a convenient excuse.

Bonds should be stripped of his records – along with Mark McGwire.

Update #1

Baseball says it is NOT investigating Bonds. Read ths story here.