Newz Forum: BASEBALL: 'Bonds didnt take anything'

Lawyers for two men accused of participating in a steroid-distribution ring have come to the defense of Barry Bonds, saying the slugger "never took anything illegal." Bonds was offered, but rejected, a questionable substance that's at the heart of the government's case, according to attorneys for Bonds' personal trainer and for the founder of a nutritional supplements lab implicated in the case.

The defense of Bonds, who has been accused by at least one fellow major leaguer of taking steroids, came outside court Friday after two hearings in the case against four men charged with providing performance-enhancing substances to dozens of professional athletes

"Barry Bonds never took anything illegal. He declined to take any of these illegal substances," said Tony Serra, the attorney for Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson.

Serra said Bonds was offered something that prosecutors have referred to in documents as "a 'clear' steroid-like substance" -- the newly unmasked steroid THG. Serra said Bonds was offered that substance "by two or three people" through Anderson, but declined to try it.

My client knows of no illegal activity that has ever been done by Barry Bonds," said lawyer Robert Holley. "(Conte) would like us to go on record because of the rumors and innuendoes."