Jose Canseco: Bonds Trial Is 'Ridiculous'
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Jose Canseco has not yet paid attention to Barry Bonds' perjury trial in federal court.
What he does know about the trial of his fellow Bay Area 40/40 slugger is that it's a total waste of time and money.
"I think it's ridiculous," Canseco said. "They're not going to find him guilty. If they do find him guilty, they'll have to go after Roger Clemens and millions of other players who perjured themselves before congressional members."
Bonds' trial in U.S. District Court in San Francisco started this week on four counts of making false statements to a grand jury and one count of obstruction of justice. Each of the charges carry a possible sentence of up to 10 years, although federal guidelines make a total of 15 to 21 months more probable if Bonds is convicted.
"There's so many other major issues in this world that need more attention. Meanwhile, they're creating his million-dollar trial on perjury charges?" Canseco said. "Not the fact that he used steroids, that's more important. But the fact that he perjured himself under oath? I mean, hundreds of thousands of people do that daily and get away with that."
He wondered if federal investigators will pursue other ballplayers for the same crime.
Clemens is set to be judged in federal court in Washington, D.C., starting July 6 on three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of Congress.
Canseco is an admitted steroid user and became a baseball pariah after writing two tell-all books. In Canseco's 2005 book, "Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big," Canseco claimed he introduced Oakland Athletics teammate Mark McGwire and other stars to steroids and performance-enhancing drugs.
Canseco said he had no idea if Bonds, baseball's career home run leader with 762, ever used steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.
"I didn't deal with him. I didn't get, in any way, shape, or form, into contact with steroid dealers," for Bonds, he said. "So in my eyes, he didn't, because I wasn't there, I didn't deal with him, I didn't associate with him."
The former AL MVP has kept his name in the spotlight since boasting about how his steroid-fueled exploits helped him hit 462 career home runs. He's competing this season on Donald Trump's television show, "The Celebrity Apprentice."
He homered in his first at-bat last summer as a member of the Laredo Broncos – one of six teams in the United Baseball League. Canseco plans to play again this summer for an independent minor league team.
"I think I've got a couple of good physical years left in me," he said.
The former Bash Brother knows he won't be coming back to the major leagues in any role.
"I tried for many years, but they would not let me in or deal with it, in any way, shape, or form," he said. "Anyone in baseball – players, coaches, announcers – they're not allowed to deal with me."
On Saturday, Canseco puts the gloves on for another celebrity boxing bout. Canseco boxed actor Danny Bonaduce and former Philadelphia Eagles kick returner Vai Sikahema in past bouts. Celebrity Boxing Federation promoter Damon Feldman said Lindsay Lohan's father, Michael Lohan, is Canseco's cornerman for the fight inside the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Fla.
"I like things that keep you going," Canseco said, "keep you in shape."
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DAN GELSTON 03/24/11 05:16 PM ET Associated Press