Scottsdale, Ariz. – Hours before Barry Bonds tested his knee during his spring training debut, former pitching great Rich “Goose” Gossage called on commissioner Bud Selig to conduct a full investigation into Bonds’ alleged steroid abuse, chronicled in a soon-to-be-released book.
“(Selig) definitely owes it to the ex-players. To me, it’s just as bad as the Pete Rose gambling issue as it relates to the integrity of the game,” Gossage told The Denver Post on Thursday. “We need to clear this up so we can move on. I love this game.
“I want fairness, so when you look at statistics you are comparing apples to apples. Any number achieved through steroids, in my opinion, is diluted.”
Selig reiterated Thursday that he would review “Game of Shadows” and “all other relevant material,” but would not commit to an investigation. Selig could suspend Bonds, though the players association would likely file a grievance on the grounds that the 41-year-old star has never tested positive for steroids.
Excerpts from the book in this week’s Sports Illustrated claim Bonds used several performance-enhancing drugs during a five-year span, beginning in 1998. After getting two at-bats against the Angels on Thursday, Bonds spoke with reporters, but limited questions to “on-field baseball” activities.
When asked if he had heard from Selig, or was concerned with the accusations, Bonds ignored the questions.
“If you want to talk about baseball, fine,” Bonds said, cameras from his reality TV show rolling, “if not, then we are done here.”
Bonds insisted he was not driven to eclipse Babe Ruth or Hank Aaron’s home run milestones. He did allow Thursday that if teams choose to repeatedly walk him “it would be the biggest adversity I face. If I am going to just stand on the bases and then go to the dugout and grab my glove, then I am probably gone (after this season).”
Gossage joined former commissioner Fay Vincent in calling for an investigation into the book’s accusations. Gossage brings a unique perspective, having played from 1972-94, viewing first-hand the game’s offensive evolution.
“I think a lot of the old-timers are so proud they don’t want to say anything because it sounds like sour grapes,” Gossage said. “Steroids may not have been illegal in baseball (until 2003), but they were illegal in society. What the great players accomplished before needs to be protected. They deserve answers.”
