The Associated Press is reporting that the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) plans to file a grievance against Major League Baseball due to evidence suggesting that teams conspired to keep homerun king Barry Bonds out of baseball.
Barry Bonds was indicted on November 15, 2007 on federal charges related to perjury charges in which he denied knowingly taking steroids such as the controversial "cream." He has been a free agent since the end of the 2007 season, but no team has signed him.
Bonds pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of making false statements to a federal grand jury, and one count of obstruction of justice. His trial is scheduled to start March 2. MLBPA will likely file a grievance after the trial
Union general counsel Michael Weiner and Bond's agent Jeff Borris claim that they have evidence to substantiate their claim that Major League ball clubs violated Article XX (e) of the collective bargaining agreement which states in part: "Players shall not act in concert with other players and clubs shall not act in concert with other clubs."
Baseball attorneys vigorously denied any collusion against Bonds, and refused to issue any comments. The reality is that Bond's will likely never play baseball again. According to Borris he has given up even trying to get Bond's signed with a club.
What a sad ending to a storied (o.k. controversial) career...
