“The Black Prince” Throws Barbs at Arnold and Weider, Steroids in Bodybuilding and Baseball

To be considered one of the pioneers and a legend in your sport is something that can never go away. Even if he never picked up a weight again, Robby Robinson would always be one of the elite bodybuilders of all time.

While most men at the age of 62 find more time to sit around than exercise and have a diet that make their doctors turn red, the man known as “The Black Prince” still busts it in the gym and has not ‘enjoyed’ as much as piece of pie in over 20 years.

Never one to not speak his mind during the ‘golden age of bodybuilding,’ Robinson still has that trait and it is part of what has made him so great while being understood in certain circles. He has his own opinion on some of the biggest names in his sport and others, like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Weider, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Continue Reading »

Slugger’s Agent States No Interest League-Wide

It was more than a rumor. The Arizona Diamondbacks gave Barry Bonds some consideration as a replacement for the injured Eric Byrnes, but ultimately decided against it. Even with a slumping offense, they have chosen to let the home run king stay an unsigned free agent.

Jeff Borris, Bonds’ agent, told the USA Today that he is not in discussions with any team about his client. “I am not talking to any club about Barry Bonds because they all made it very clear to me they are not interested in him,” Borris told reporters. “Every club.” Continue Reading »

Tabloid Column Takes Sarcastic Stab, But Right on Point

There are transactions in baseball that are made for a number of reasons, some out of necessity and others out of curiosity. At times, trading for a player is not the best course of action. On the rare occasion, all of these elements are in place, yet the chances of the move becoming a reality are slim to none.

In Tuesday’s New York Newsday, there was an interesting column by David Lennon that explored the possibility of Barry Bonds joining the Mets. In it, general manager Omar Minaya and interim manager Jerry Manuel were asked about the slugger and both men seemed to want to avoid the subject. “I would say that I’m going to focus on our guys and our guys will hopefully be OK,” the article quoted Minaya.

The problem is that Minaya’s “guys” are either on the disabled list or are just not that good. At the start of the season, the Mets’ corner outfielders were Moises Alou and Ryan Church. Both have had their share of injuries and missed a good portion of time. Continue Reading »

Despite Decent Power Numbers in 2007, Suspected Steroid Sluggers Remain on the Sidelines

One is waiting for his day in court, the other for the next World Baseball Classic. Both have Hall of Fame Credentials and are young enough to still be playing. If chicks still dig the long ball, then this pair could still attract a harem full. But Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa haven’t received a sniff since they both became free agents following the 2007 season. And they shouldn’t expect anything to change in the near or far future.

Bonds broke Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record last summer and then was run out of San Francisco, while Sosa made a nice comeback in Texas, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 92 runs in 114 games. But the Dominican slugger was not asked to return and now has said that he intends on retiring after the next WBC, which is scheduled for March of 2009. How the 39 year-old intends on staying in game shape between now and then remains to be seen, but speculation will be running rampart on Sosa going back to his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs. Continue Reading »

Unsigned Slugger Looks Finished with Stretched Out Court Calendar

Barry Bonds may have the all-time home run record and can probably still help a team or two out there with his power. But the 43 year-old free agent has probably played his last game due to the BALCO scandal and his upcoming trial, in which he is accused of lying to a grand jury and faces 14 counts of perjury and one of obstruction of justice.

Last week, Bonds led not guilty to the charges and was met outside the San Francisco courthouse by a large group of supporters. He was said to be in “good spirits” by his attorney Allen Ruby. If found guilty of all the charges, Bonds could face up to 80 years in prison and $500,000 in fines. That seems unlikely, though. Continue Reading »

BALCO’s Victor Conte Still Peddlin’

You have to give Victor Conte credit. The mastermind behind BALCO paid his debt to society and is once again pumping supplements, this time probably nothing that will result in a congressional hearing.

The company is called SNAC (www.snac.com) and the Golden Gate Bridge is still looming. The BALCO logo is now available on T-shirts with the saying ‘BALCO Gear’ on the front. A mere $24.95 and you’ll have your own.

As far as the supplements go, these are reportedly very good, although I have never tried them myself. ZMA is back and is an affordable $15.95 for a bottle of 90. Continue Reading »