Part 5/8:
In the early 2000s, as he began using performance-enhancing drugs, Bonds’ physical appearance changed significantly; he grew in size and strength, evident in the increased power numbers he displayed. Although the media began to scrutinize these changes extensively, the excitement of his performance — culminating in a record 73 home runs in 2001 — overshadowed these concerns.
The Steroid Scandal: The Fall of a Legend
However, the overwhelming suspension of disbelief about Bonds' connection to steroids crumbled in 2002 when a groundbreaking article by Tom Verducci exposed the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout baseball, implicating Bonds directly.