When former feds claimed steroid use was not a factor in Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens' HOF snubs

In December 2020, former federal authority Matt Parrella claimed steroid-use was not a factor in Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens' HOF snubs.

In Bonds' 2011 perjury and obstruction of justice trial in San Francisco, Matt served as the lead prosecutor. Votes for the Hall of Fame, according to Parrella, are based on intricate legal details and were in no way related to the big-shot athletes' Cooperstown chances.

"Don’t be confused. The Hall of Fame vote has nothing to do with the results of the legal cases against Bonds and Clemens. Those were decided based upon complicated legal technicalities,” said Parrella. “The only question is, did they use steroids? The evidence is incontrovertible. It’s scientifically certain and corroborated by the surrounding facts and circumstances.”

The former federal official did, however, assert that there is no question that two of baseball's most well-known figures used steroids during their illustrious careers to gain an on-field advantage.

Barry Bonds denied knowingly taking steroids and was never convicted of any crime related to his steroid use. Despite Bond's denials, his name has become closely associated with the use of steroids in baseball. He was later indicted for perjury in 2007 for lying about his steroid use during a grand jury investigation. The charges against him were eventually dropped. Bonds' use of steroids has been viewed by many as a stain on what was an otherwise remarkable career.

On the other hand, Roger Clemens was accused of using anabolic steroids and human growth hormones during his career. The accusations first surfaced in 2007 when former trainer Brian McNamee alleged in an affidavit that he had injected Clemens with the substances in 1998, 2000, and 2001. Clemens denied the accusations. In 2008, following an investigation by the US Congress, he was charged with obstruction of justice, perjury, and making false statements. He was acquitted of all charges in 2012.

"Fred McGriff has been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era committee. Among those who did not receive the necessary 12 votes from the 16-person committee: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Don Mattingly." - Jeff Passan via Twitter

In January 2022, both Barry and Roger were snubbed for the 10th and final time for the HOF. Next, they were passed on to the Contemporary Baseball Era ballot. However, they failed to make the cut in this segment in December 2022.

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are eligible for the Contemporary Era ballot in 2026

Barry Bonds San Francisco Giants Number 25 Retirement Ceremony: SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 11: Former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds looks on during a ceremony to retire his #25 jersey at AT&T Park on August 11, 2018, in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The second Contemporary Era Baseball ballot will not take place until December 2025. Thus, MLB stars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will have to wait three more years to try their luck at being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Managers, executives, and umpires will be up for election next year (December 2023). And, in December 2024, MLB players from the pre-1980 era will be eligible to get nominated on the HOF ballot.