Bonds faces federal grand jury indictment

Barry Bonds, the most prolific slugger in baseball history and holder of the most cherished record in American sports, has joined a new club: the stable of disgraced sports heroes.

The former San Francisco Giants slugger, 43, was indicted Thursday on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, stemming from his testimony to a federal grand jury that he had not knowingly used steroids.

The indictment: The 10-page report listed four counts of perjury, one of obstruction of justice and a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

What’s next: Bonds is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in San Francisco on Dec. 7, with a trial unlikely to begin until late next spring at the earliest.

The numbers: Bonds finished last season with 762 career homers, seven more than previous champ Hank Aaron.

The quote: “This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period.” – Bonds in August, after surpassing Aaron.

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