Barry Bonds Cast of Characters

Those who surrounded Bonds during his most successful seasons

by Mark Zurlo

Related Links Barry Bonds Biography Bond's Homerun Record Discredited by Many Steroids Allegedly Used by Bonds Baseball Fun Facts A history of baseball in America Steroids: A Dangerous Edge Infoplease Poll What are your thoughts on Barry Bond's pursuit of the homerun record? He's a total cheater and doesn't deserve the record! All the rumors are lies, Barry is clean and is the greatest homerun hitter of all time! It's no big deal, everyone was using steroids. Innocent until proven guilty. The record will be broken again soon anyway. Take another poll

While all-time homerun king Barry Bonds once again found himself in the national spotlight after being indicted on five felony charges in November 2007, the controversy surrounding the mark extends out to those who have associated with Bonds since the late 90s. From trainers whom the Giants did not trust to those he reportedly shared his secrets with, the cast of characters is a diverse group.

Kimberly Bell

Bond's ex-girlfriend who provided a firsthand account of Bond's steroid use in Game of Shadows.

Greg Anderson

The self-proclaimed "Weight Guru" who became Bond's personal trainer. Designed Bond's workout plans and allegedly provided him with steroids. Bonds would occasionally provide Anderson with $10,000 in cash, but he was not paid on a consistent basis. Anderson was jailed on two occasions for refusing to testify about his association with Bonds.

Dusty Baker

Bond's manager during his most productive seasons, Baker never questioned his star about his enormous muscle growth.

Arthur Ting

Bond's personal physician who treated torn tricep tendon in 1999.

Mark McGwire

Cardinals slugger who broke the single-season homerun record in 1998 and reportedly motivated Bonds to begin using steroids. Bonds would break McGwire's record in 2001.

Harvey Shields

Bond's stretching coach who was allowed in the Giants clubhouse.

Raymond Farris

Bond's running coach who was also allowed in the clubhouse.

Liz Watson

Bond's wife whom he married in 1998.

Victor Conte

Owner of the Bay Area Lab Cooperative (BALCO), a company which sold a legal substance called ZMA to the public while providing many world-class athletes with designer steroids. Bonds was introduced to Conte through Greg Anderson after the 2000 season. Conte reportedly provided Bonds with a day-by-day steroid program that was more advanced than anything Anderson could provide. When Conte's offices were raided in 2003, he cooperated with authorities and provided the names of his clients.

Jeff Novitzky

IRS Criminal Investigation unit agent who led the raid on BALCO in September of 2003.

James Valente

BALCO vice president who was the main contact and supplier of Greg Anderson. Valente also cooperated with federal agents at the BALCO raids.

Source:Game of Shadows by Mark Fainaru-Wasa and Lance Williams.