In a very rare opportunity, Barry Bonds gave the media an almost 6-minute interview session when he attended the San Francisco Giants Reunion at the AT & T Park for the 2000 NL West champion team. Bonds was included in the list of 14 Giants from the 2000 club expected for a media session but it was not until it ended when he faced the media. As usual, the media asked Bonds about his possible return to baseball, his friend Mark McGwire and his PED’s use.

But as expected Bonds evaded the questions on his alleged steroids use. The home run king is still fighting in court the perjury case against him for lying in a congressional inquiry about his use of steroids. Bonds has long been denying that he knowingly used performance enhancing drugs. Although many baseball fans would not buy this defense but the prosecution has been scrambling to find evidences to nail Bonds on the case. So its normal for Bonds to avoid answering questions about his steroids use since it will only bolster the federal government’s long-standing case against him.

Can we expect Bonds to do a Mark McGwire confession? The answer is no. It will never happen even if he returns to baseball as a coach. Bonds talked about Phillies slugger Ryan Howard and admitted that he worked with the latter last winter. “I coached him a little bit and he’s doing very, very well and hasn’t said one thing about me yet. But I love him and I’m glad he’s doing well,” said Bonds during the interview.

At the age of 45, Barry Bonds is not yet on the verge of retiring. He may not play in the field but his skills can be used by the team to develop new prospects and bring them more home runs just like what he did. But of course, this time without the help of any steroids or performance enhancers. It is evident that Bonds will be coming back soon in baseball. A member of the press asked him about retirement but replied that it is not necessary. “Retirement isn’t that important,” Bonds said.

Another interesting answer of Barry Bonds was his comment on the confession of Mark McGwire. The home run record breaker confessed two months ago that he used anabolic steroids to heal his injuries. However, the confession did not helped him clear his name as more people insisted that he used steroids to enhance his performance in baseball. Statements from McGwire’s estranged brother Jay McGwire and his former steroid supplier all claimed that the slugger really used steroids which helped him broke the home run record. But whether the allegations were true or not, Mark McGwire was able to comeback in baseball as a hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Bonds reply on McGwire’s return and confession on his steroid use resulted in different interpretations. “I have a really good friendship with Mark McGwire and I’m proud of him,” said Bonds. The phrase “I’m proud of him” could mean many things. It can be construed as a support for Mark McGwire’s confession that he used steroids to enhance performance or McGwire’s courage to accept whatever consequences he may face as a result of his public admission.

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