History may be just around the corner for the San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds who is on the verge of setting the all-time home run record. Problem is, he’s also embroiled in controversy that’s casting a fog over his otherwise amazing feat.

The controversy in a nutshell

It’s widely assumed by the public that Bonds—and other famous sluggers like the St. Louis Cardinals’ Mark McGwire—used steroids.

Steroids are a class of drugs usually prescribed to men whose bodies can’t produce enough testosterone naturally, and to strengthen people weakened by disease. They’re also used by athletes—illegally—to build muscle mass and improve athletic performance.

 

But the main controversy surrounding Bonds relates to grand jury testimony he made back in 2002 as part of a federal investigation into steroid distribution at the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO).

Bonds acknowledged using a substance supplied by his trainer, but said he didn’t know it was steroids. His trainer, Greg Anderson, went to prison for refusing to testify against Bonds and says he'll never talk.

The record to beat
With 753 career home runs under his belt, Bonds is aiming for 755 home runs, the record set by Hank Aaron over a 23-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves. Aside from Aaron, Babe Ruth is the only other player to crack more than 700 career home runs.

The big picture

Other players have acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs, including the New York Yankees’ Jason Giambi. And while illegal under federal law, baseball only began testing for steroids in 2003 and suspending for use in 2005—a first-time offense brings a 50-game suspension.

 

And while Bonds is mum, others are talking. Just this week a former chemist at BALCO told sportscaster Bob Costas he believes Bonds used steroids while associated with the lab.

But as baseball Commissioner, Bud Selig, who opened an investigation into Major League Baseball steroid use last year, says, all citizens are “innocent until proven guilty.”

Take me out to the ball game

This weekend the Giants take on the Florida Marlins at home, then head to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. And even as controversy swirls, baseball fans--some rooting for him and many rooting against him--will be watching.