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Barry Bonds and Female Athletes Who Use Anabolic Steroids

It is hard to imagine a more unsympathetic or disliked figure in the BALCO scandal than Barry Bonds. The unpopularity of Bonds is undeniable but the media’s and general public’s treatment of female athletes implicated in the BALCO scandal is worse. Don’t believe me? Consider that the defense argument of elite sprint cyclist Tammy Thomas, while very similar to that of Bonds, was summarily dismissed by journalists covering the case. On the other hand, the unpopular Bonds has enjoyed scores of journalists and fans coming to his side, no matter their dislike of him, to support his innocence. Society has clearly demonized steroid users but nothing is more repulsive to the layperson than a woman who uses steroids. Not even Barry Bonds.

Sports writers and baseball fans love to talk about their dislike – or even outright hatred – of baseball home run king Barry Bonds. The federal government is no Barry Bonds fan either. The feds, in a morally inspired witch hunt against anabolic steroids, wanted to make an example out of Barry Bonds. Bonds has come to symbolize the infamous steroid era in baseball. The government hated Bonds so much that he became their primary target in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) doping scandal. The BALCO scandal has been identified by the media as the largest doping scandal in the history of competitive sports. A $55 million steroid witch-hunt has been organized, in large part, to bring down a single man. The feds have insufficient evidence to indict Bonds on steroid possession charges, so they have grossly abused/misused federal perjury laws in an attempt to convict Bonds for “lying” about his use of steroids. That is some serious dislike for Barry Bonds.

As Barry Bonds pejury trial approaches, we’ve seen people rushing to his defense. There is a movement among sports writers and sports bloggers, using the same defense argument presented by attorneys for BALCO cyclist Tammy Thomas, to spread the word that Barry Bonds may be innocent of criminal wrongdoing. I think the big question here is ‘where were these people during the Tammy Thomas trial?’

Jonathan Littman of Yahoo! Sports started the movement with an exclusive “blockbuster” announcement that Barry Bonds may be innocent of lying about the use of steroids. Littman’s “investigative journalism” led him to recently unsealed grand jury transcripts that apparently acknowledge that tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) was not illegal under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990; THG was not on the Major League Baseball prohibited substances list and, more importantly for purposes of legal proceedings, it was legal to possess and use. This is OLD NEWS. Where was Jonathan Littman during the Tammy Thomas trial? Has Littman done any research into the legal issues involving steroids during the post-BALCO era?

Mike Freeman, a national columnist for CBS Sports, explains the significance of the THG legal status to the Bonds perjury case:

Basically, the government has portrayed Bonds as a steroid cheat and someone who lied about using the Clear and is prosecuting Bonds for that lie. But if the Clear wasn't a steroid, then when Bonds testified he wasn't knowingly using steroids, he was telling the truth.

This isn't just a technicality. This is a major front falling in the government's case: that Bonds lied about using steroids. It appears he didn't.

The biggest issue is the government itself. They apparently knew that the Clear wasn't technically categorized as a steroid and still pursued a perjury case against Bonds anyway.

If all of this is accurate it's a gross abuse of power. It means the government is simply using Bonds' notoriety -- and infamy -- to make an example of him.

Where was Mike Freeman, with his astute observations, during the Tammy Thomas trial?

The sad part of the story is that sports writers, after several years of high-profile stories covering anabolic steroids in sports, are still grossly ignorant about the legal issues and pharmacological issues surrounding anabolic steroids.

Jonathan Littman thinks his investigation uncovered “blockbuster” new evidence. The mainstream press marvels at the discovery that THG was legal at the time of the BALCO scandal. Pitifully, this information has been widely available for years.

• On February 12, 2004, in the indictment against the BALCO mastermind Victor Conte, the government identified tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) as a “misbranded drug” and specifically NOT an anabolic steroids or schedule III controlled substance.

• On November 3, 2005, in the indictment against the BALCO designer steroid chemist Patrick Arnold, the government identified tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) as a “misbranded drug” and specifically NOT an anabolic steroids or schedule III controlled substance (like norbolethone).

• On January 18, 2007, steroid expert published the authoritative steroid guide used by law enforcement in various countries entitled “Anabolics 2007” with a clear explanation of its legal status:

It was also technically legal to own in the U.S., being that it was unknown to lawmakers at the time the Anabolic Steroid Control Act was written. But with the international doping scandal that would come to surround BALCO Laboratories, any value that THG held as a "designer steroid" has since disappeared. This steroid was also added to the U.S. controlled substance list in January 2005. Victor Conte would serve several months in prison for his role in the BALCO scandal, due to the fact that an unknown drug like THG may have been legal to own, but it was not legal to sell.

• Popular anabolic steroid websites have clearly stated the legal status of THG at the time of the BALCO scandal for years.

The use of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) by several elite athletes led the US Congress to add it to the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 as a "Schedule III" controlled substance. THG, although pharmacologically defined as an anabolic-androgenic steroid, was legally defined as an "unapproved new drug" during its role in the BALCO scandal.

• During the perjury trial of BALCO cyclist Tammy Thomas in March-April 2008, defense attorney Ethan Balogh presented the inconvenient fact that tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) was NOT legally classified as an “anabolic steroid” until the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 was passed; THG was one of the 26 compounds added to the Controlled Substances Act with this legislation. Consequently, THG was NOT a controlled substance until the passage of the legislation. Furthermore, THG was not on the WADA/IOC banned substances list at the time.

Why didn’t anyone learn that THG was legal to possess and use during the Tammy Thomas trial? Why did it take Barry Bonds and HIS perjury case to make this line of defense credible? The innumerable Barry Bonds detractors are willing to give credence to the latest exculpatory “new” evidence reported by Yahoo! Sports Jonathan Littman. Yet you would be hard-pressed to have found anyone sympathetic to this evidence during Tammy Thomas perjury trial? Why was this argument summarily dismissed by sports writers? Could it be that a female who uses anabolic steroids is hated even more than Barry Bonds?

The general public loves to ridicule the virilizing side effects that steroids can have for a woman; who can forget the derogatory bearded lady and gravelly voice jokes about Thomas. The side effect of increased muscularity in a man is admirable, attempts at demonization notwithstanding. Society has a love-hate relationship with male steroid user but has nothing but contempt for a female steroid user.

The most hated figure in the BALCO scandal: Barry Bonds or Tammy Thomas?

Sources:

“Bonds blockbuster: ‘The Clear’ was legal,” January 14, 2009

“This much is Clear: Bonds getting raw deal,” January 16, 2009

“Anabolics 2007: Anabolic Steroid Reference Manual,” Body of Science

“Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) Steroid Profile,” MESO-Rx.com

“Live blog: Defense makes its case in the Tammy Thomas trial,” April 2, 2008

MESO-Rx – http://www.meso-rx.com

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Anabolic Steroids Identified as a Major Social Problem in Norway

Authorities in the Norwegian cities of Førde and Sunnfjord were baffled by the escalating incidence of violence in the community. There were large groups of muscular young men were roaming the streets, frequenting bars and starting fights. Some of the men who sported bodybuilding-type physiques were even being hospitalized for psychiatric treatment. The epidemic of violence started to spread to other Norwegian cities including Verdalen, Trondheim, Kristiansund, Ålesund, Florø, Bergen, Odda, Haugesund, Stavanger, Lillesand, Fredrikstad, Drammen, Flisa, Oslo and Gjøvik. There was considerable unrest as citizens became alarmed and frightened.

Police Chief Johan Brekke of the Sogn og Fjordane police district knew this could only mean one thing. Anabolic steroids had invaded Norway! Police Chief Gunnar Englund in Førde og Naustdal also suspected that anabolic steroids and other drugs were responsible for the disturbing changes in behavior observed in various young people that created the climate of aggression and violence.

Together Brekke and Englund initiated a steroid investigation that eventually expanded across the country of Norway to include 16 police districts. The year-long investigation recently culminated with the seizure of illegal drugs valued at over $8 million in United States currency, the arrest of 63 individuals, the identification of customers in over 10 cities and the opening of approximately 200 criminal cases involving anabolic steroids and narcotics. The internet-based illegal drugs network was allegedly masterminded by a 24-year old man who lived with his mother and father in Førde.

Bjørn Barland, Associate Professor at the Police College in Oslo, identified anabolic steroids as a “major social problem” in Norway that could no longer be denied. In his “expert” opinion, anabolic steroids represented a far greater social problem than police had previously imagined.

Anabolic steroids can “cause” considerable psychological harm according to Dr. Barland. Even worse, Dr. Barland explains how the interaction between anabolic steroids and alcohol could have dangerous consequences. Apparently, steroids when taken in combination with alcohol can lead to poor judgment, extreme aggression or “roid rage”, personality changes, and anti-social behavior. But the worst side effects resulted from using steroids with alcohol, according to Dr. Barland. Such a combination could function as a gateway to other recreational narcotic drugs.

Dr. Barland’s steroid gateway hypothesis must explain why the massive Norwegian bust primarily uncovered two categories of drugs – “anabolic steroids” and “date rape drugs.” The drug dealers must have introduced steroids into the underground marketplace only to facilitate a market for the Rohypnol-type drug called phenazepam aka “panda” in Norway.

The police in Norway characterized the drug raids as a crack down on the so-called epidemic of steroid use that represented the newest social issue facing the Scandinavian country. But in fact, the steroid trade only represented a small percentage of the drugs seized in the nationwide. The street value of the steroids seized was worth less than half a million dollars. On the other hand, the street value of “panda” exceeded $7 million (USD). Police seized 28,800 tablets of phenazepam and 1.78 kilograms of powdered phenazepam which represented 1.6 million tablets in finished form.

Phenazepam aka “panda” is a benzodiazepine drug created in the former Soviet Union and currently in Russia and several former Soviet Republics that are now members of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Phenazepam is used recreationally as a substitute for Rohypnol (flunitrazepam). It is not classified as a controlled substance in the United States as the Controlled Substance Analogue Act only applies to Schedule I and Schedule II and not the Schedule III benzodiazepine class of drugs.

How could such dubious experts use this drug bust as the basis for calling the use of anabolic steroids a “major social problem” when it is dwarfed by the distribution of phenazepam? Apparently, steroid hysteria is alive and well outside the United States.

Sources:
“Norwegian police detain 63 in drug raids,” January 14, 2009
“Omsatte narko på nettet,” January 15, 2009
“Politiet uforberedt på omfanget,” January 15, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Mark McGwire was considered for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) in his third year of eligibility. Membership to the Hall of Fame requires seventy-five percent (75%) of the votes. McGwire did not even come close; only receiving votes on 21.9% of the ballots. It appears unlikely that McGwire will make it to Cooperstown after his noteworthy career was tarnished by suspicions of anabolic steroid use. Sports writers have clearly turned on McGwire, as have former teammates, and most recently his own brother. Steroid hysteria has tarnished the career of perhaps one of the nicest baseball players and certainly one of the most philanthropic.

Mark McGwire has become reclusive since retiring from baseball; he has actively avoided the media spotlight while living in a gated community in Irvine, California. His family has been a source of strength during the steroid witch-hunt. McGwire is most certainly deeply hurt that his younger brother is shopping around a book where he claims to have introduced his older brother to anabolic steroids in 1994. Jay McGwire, a former amateur bodybuilder and winner of the 2004 Contra Costa Bodybuilding Championships, writes that his older brother used steroids, such as Deca Durabolin, and human growth hormone (HGH) in a book written “out of love” for Mark McGwire. The book is called “The Mark McGwire Family Secret: The Truth about Steroids, a Slugger, and Ultimate Redemption.”

“Shortly after I won the Contra Costa Bodybuilding Championships in May of 1994, Mark took the plunge. I accompanied him to Sacramento where we met with my supplier and trainer, who explained to him how the different drugs would work on his body and answered a myriad of questions from Mark. Given Mark’s curiosity and lack of knowledge about steroids I saw from Mark, I would be shocked if Mark did something like what Jose Canseco claimed happened back in the early years....[M]ark began to use, but in low dosages so he wouldn’t lift his way out of baseball. Deca-Durabolin helped with his joint problems and recovery, while growth hormone helped his strength, making him leaner in the process. I became the first person to inject him, like most first-timers he couldn’t plunge in the needle himself. Later a girlfriend injected him.”

Steve Wilstein, the Associated Press reporter who discovered a bottle of androstenedione in McGwire’s locker during the thrilling Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run chase in 1998, was the person that made the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Mark McGwire a topic of national discussion in spite of the fact that androstenedione was legal and not prohibited by MLB at the time; McGwire’s baby brother Jay introduced him to androstenedione. But it was Jose Canseco, the main whistleblower in Major League Baseball’s steroid era, who threw his former teammate under the bus and outed him as a user of anabolic steroids in the tell-all book, “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big.”

”What we did, more times than I can count, was go into a bathroom stall together to shoot up steroids.

“That’s right: After batting practice or right before the game, Mark and I would duck into a stall in the men’s room, load up our syringes, and inject ourselves. I always injected myself, because I had practiced enough to know just what I was doing, but often I would inject Mark as well.”

The accusations in Jose Canseco’s book led to a 2005 Congressional hearing investigating steroids in baseball called “Restoring Faith in America’s Pastime: Evaluating Major League Baseball’s Efforts to Eradicate Steroid Use.” Mark McGwire was subpoenaed to discuss steroids at the hearing along with Jose Canseco and five other MLB players. McGwire did what most defense attorney would advise which is not to admit the use of performance-enhancing drugs, even if true, under oath.

“Asking me or any other player to answer questions about who took steroids in front of television cameras will not solve the problem. If a player answers ‘No,’ he simply will not be believed; if he answers ‘Yes,’ he risks public scorn and endless government investigations.... My lawyers have advised me that I cannot answer these questions without jeopardizing my friends, my family, and myself. I will say, however, that it remains a fact in this country that a man, any man, should be regarded as innocent unless proven guilty.” [...]

“I’m not here to talk about the past. I’m here to be positive about this subject.”

Mark McGwire’s decision to exercise his constitutional rights to avoid incriminating himself may have been a wise legal strategy but it was disastrous as a public relations strategy. McGwire’s refusal to admit (or deny) the use of performance-enhancing drugs disappointed everyone and may have permanently closed the door to the Hall of Fame.

Mark McGwire is one of the most sympathetic victims of contemporary steroid hysteria. Prior to the suspicions of steroid use, McGwire was one of the most well-respected, gentlemanly, and polite baseball players in the league. McGwire was certainly one of the most philanthropic; he founded the Mark McGwire Foundation for Children which awards grants to shelters and programs for physically and sexually abused children. McGwire makes a charitable donation to the foundation in the amount of $1 million every year.

“We catch a glimpse of the future when we look into the faces of our nation’s children...tomorrow’s generation is being shaped today by the environment in which they live,” Mark McGwire says about the goals of his foundation, “Whether or not this environment nurtures them to become caring and productive citizens rests in our hands.”

Sadly, Mark McGwire’s accomplishments as a baseball players and his generosity as a philanthropist will be overshadowed by the question of whether he used anabolic steroids.

Sources:

“Mark McGwire's One-Eyed Baby Brother Reveals The Not-So-Startling Truth,” January 21, 2009

“Mark McGwire’s Steroid Issue Reduces His Hall of Fame Vote,” January 10, 2009

“Mark McGwire's Little Helper: The Androstenedione Debate,” October, 1998

“An Open Letter to the Members of the House Committee on Government Reform, and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, on the Recent Hearings and Legislation relating to the use of Anabolic Steroids in Sports,” July 12, 2005

“Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big,” February 14, 2005

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Marijuana Use Tolerated by Public and Sponsors But Steroid Use Condemned

@lizziekeiper: “I don’t understand why everyone is flipping out about Phelps and the pot. Doesn’t seem like THAT big a deal. Not like it’s Cocaine or worse...

“And it’s not like we just learned he’s on steroids. THAT would be something to freak out about.”

@lilizerquera: “Finding out Michael Phelps was on steroids would be just as sad as realizing there’s no Santa.”

Michael Phelps, the superstar Olympic swimmer and multiple gold medalist, was photographed hitting a bond at student house party at the University of South Carolina last November. The British tabloid News of the World published the photograph last weekend with a sensationalistic story suggesting the world’s greatest athlete may be an experienced cannabis user. The 14 time Olympic gold medalist acknowledged the legitimacy of the photograph and apologized for his “regrettable” behavior in a public statement released by his marketing agency Octagon.

The Michael Phelps marijuana scandal is turning out to be a non-issue for most people, much to the chagrin of anti-drug warriors. The general public, sporting organizations, anti-doping organizations, and corporate sponsors have been amazingly supportive of Michael Phelps in spite of the incriminating photograph. The widespread support represents significant progress in societal acceptance of individuals who use marijuana and a rejection of cannabis demonization efforts in the war on drugs. Ironically, the acceptance of marijuana use by Michael Phelps comes at the expense of anabolic steroid users.

A large segment of the general public accepts an individual’s choice to engage in recreational drugs such as pot but still categorically rejects the use of steroids. The collective relief that Phelps ONLY used marijuana and NOT anabolic steroids is a sad consequence of the steroid hysteria in the contemporary war on steroids. Objective reviews of the scientific literature indicate that the side effects of anabolic steroids are minimal and certainly no worse than the side effects of cannabis use. Nonetheless, anabolic steroids are relentlessly demonized by practically everyone. Steroid hysteria inexplicably continues to thrive among many cannabis and drug law reformers.

Sports marketing business experts praised Phelp’s for addressing the scandal immediately and apologizing for his “regrettable” behavior. “I would not expect him to lose a single endorsement, or any potential endorsements,” Marc Ganis, president of the sports business consulting firm SportsCorp. “He has handled himself so well to date that he has earned the benefit of the doubt. Especially at this age, experimentation with things like marijuana for young people in their late teens and early 20s is an understandable action.”

It is great that Michael Phelps has not being destroyed by the media for his repeated instances of illicit drug use. Phelps well-publicized incidents involving alcohol and marijuana seem to be forgiven and dismissed by sponsors and fans. Phelps pleaded guilty to drunken driving after he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and underage drinking after winning eight medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics; he was sentenced to probation. “I recognize the seriousness of this mistake. I’ve learned from this mistake and will continue learning from this mistake for the rest of my life,” Phelps said at the time. Currently, Michael Phelps potentially faces misdemeanor marijuana possession charges in Richland County, South Carolina in drug scandal four years later in the aftermath of his 2008 Beijing Olympic success.

“I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I’m 23 years old and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me,” Phelps said explaining the bong photograph. “For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again.”

His $100 million endorsement deals remain intact and multiple sponsors were quick to express their support of Michael Phelps. Apology accepted. This is in stark contrast to what would happen to an athlete who was caught using anabolic steroids. Even the unproven and/or unsubstantiated allegation that an athlete used anabolic steroids is enough to permanently tarnish the career achievements and reputation of an athlete.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Supports Michael Phelps

“Michael Phelps is a great Olympic champion. He apologized for his inappropriate behavior. We have no reason to doubt his sincerity and his commitment to continue to act as a role model.”

Speedo Supports Michael Phelps

“In light of Michael Phelps’ statement yesterday, Speedo would like to make it clear that it does not condone such behavior and we know that Michael truly regrets his actions. Michael Phelps is a valued member of the Speedo team and a great champion. We will do all that we can to support him and his family.”

Omega Watches Supports Michael Phelps

“The current story in the press involves Michael Phelps’ private life and is, as far as Omega is concerned, a nonissue,” the company said.

Hilton Hotels Supports Michael Phelps

“We continue to support Michael Phelps as an athlete whose numerous athletic feats outshine an act of regrettable behavior.”

PureSports Supports Michael Phelps

“We applaud the fact that he has taken full and immediate responsibility for his mistake and apologized to us, his fans and the public and we support him during this difficult time.”

It is incomprehensible that any athlete implicated in the use of anabolic steroids, either through admission, analytical, circumstantial, or unsubstantiated allegations, would receive comparable support given the current steroid witch-hunt.

The Michael Phelps marijuana scandal represents a great day for marijuana law reformers. Societal attitudes towards pot are changing. Marijuana can be used responsibly by extremely successful and accomplished individuals. Michael Phelps use of marijuana weakens the mythology/stereotype of the lazy stoner/slacker. Should the Richland County Sheriff continue his grandstanding and pursue charges against Phelps, it may inspire a public revolt against hypocritical drug laws that are considerably more destructive than the drugs themselves (excluding anabolic steroids, of course). That is great.

On the other hand, the Michael Phelps scandal represents a very sad day for anabolic steroid law reformers. The contrast between the perception of marijuana as relatively harmless and the perception of steroids as extremely dangerous is troubling. This is unfortunate.

Sources:

“14-times Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps caught with cannabis pipe,” February 1, 2009

“Sheriff investigates whether Michael Phelps smoked pot,” February 3, 2009

“Key sponsors Speedo, Omega back Michael Phelps after apology for marijuana pipe photo,” February 2, 2009

”Phelps Apologizes for Marijuana Pipe Photo,” February 1, 2009

“Michael Phelps Marijuana Scandal and Demonization of Steroids,” February 3, 2009

“Olympic Champ Sentenced For DUI,” December 29, 2004

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Anadrol is an anabolic steroid. It improves nitrogen balance when the diet is sufficient in calories. The actions of anadrol are similar to testosterone and can cause serious impairment in sexual and physical growth when given to children. Children who have taken this drug develop grotesque physical features and usually have disordered sexual function.

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com