Steroids supplied to Bonds, others, paper reports

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Bonds received steroids and human growth hormone from a nutritional supplements lab implicated in a steroid-distribution ring, according to information given to federal investigators, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

Investigators also were told that New York Yankees stars Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, plus three other major leaguers and one NFL player, were given steroids, the newspaper reported.

Bonds' personal trainer, Greg Anderson, gave the players the drugs from the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, according to information given to the government and shared with the newspaper.

The report did not say how federal investigators received the information or how the newspaper learned of it.

Bonds, Giambi and Sheffield have denied using steroids. All testified last year before the grand jury that indicted Anderson and three others in the alleged steroid-distribution ring.

Bonds refused to comment Tuesday at the Giants' spring training camp in Scottsdale, Ariz., softly telling a reporter: "Get out of my locker." The Giants said they would not comment on the report.

Bonds' attorney, Michael Rains, told the Chronicle: "We continue to adamantly deny that Barry was provided, furnished or supplied any of those substances at any time by Greg Anderson."

At the Yankees' spring training camp in Tampa, Fla., Giambi and Sheffield wouldn't directly address the report.

"Speculation doesn't bother me. It's as simple as that," Sheffield said. "I deal with it. You know I don't like dealing with issues. You know I don't like dealing with controversy. Nobody likes to do that."

Prosecutors released documents last month saying Anderson told federal agents he gave steroids to several professional baseball players. No players were identified in those documents.

Anderson's attorney, Tony Serra, said last Friday the trainer had seven professional athletes as clients -- Bonds, five other major leaguers, and one football player.

Serra also said that Bonds "never took anything illegal" and that the slugger was offered -- but rejected -- a substance at the heart of the government's case.

That substance, according to government documents, was the recently unmasked steroid THG.

Anderson has been charged with participating in a steroid-distribution ring that provided performance-enhancing drugs to professional athletes.