Barry Bonds Statement Analyzed

Barry Bonds was asked a specific question by the Grand Jury.  This is the answer that many believe caused him to be indicted. 

Q.  Did Greg Anderson, your personal trainer, ever give you anything that required a syringe to inject yourself with?


A.  "that's what keeps our friendship. You know, I am sorry, but that -- you know, that -- I was a celebrity child, not just in baseball by my own instincts. I became a celebrity child with a famous father. I just don't get into other people's business because of my father's situation, you see ..."

Note that he did not directly answer the question.  This means the question, "ever given anything that required a syringe...?" is a sensitive question to the subject. 

a.  Note that in response to the question, he affirms this by speaking of "our" friendship.  Since only Greg Anderson was in the question, the word "our" appears to belong to Bonds (the subject) and Anderson. 

b.  We always note the words "I am sorry" in an open statement as these words often find their way into the guilty party's language. 

c.  The word "child":  When someone speaks of growing up and refers to himself as a "child", it is very likely to indicate that the subject suffered abuse in childhood, with the highest percentage being sexual abuse. 

d.  Note "I was" turned into "I became" a celebrity child.  This indicates a process of "becoming" and may speak to the abuse. 

e.  Note the word "with" between "I" and "father" showing distance.  We have learned that the relationship between father and son was publicly contentious.  

f.  "don't" is in the negative making it a sensitive statement.  He doesn't get into other people's business, which may suggest he does not want to answer the question because it is about his own business. 

g.  "you see" indicates he wishes the audience (or interviewer) to accept what he says, and "see" it as he "sees it"; which should not be assumed. 

Bonds went from slender lean athlete to the body of a full back, with his girlfriend describing even the shape of his head and jawbone undergoing a visibly noticeable change through the use of steroids, leaving him impotent, depressed and full of rage towards everyone who came into his life.  She described him as deceptive, controlling and abusive.  (Game of Shadows)