As a swirl of attention and speculation surrounds Barry Bonds, online gaming giant
Bodog.com has released a number of proposition wagers on the slugger as he sets out to break Hank Aaron's record for career home runs.
On Thursday, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced the launch of a probe into alleged steroid use by Bonds and other MLB players. Selig appointed former Senate majority leader and current Boston Red Sox director George Mitchell to lead the investigation. Although Mitchell's final report will be made public, no timetable for the release has been set. The investigation comes on the heels of the release of the book "Game of Shadows", which alleges steroid use by major leaguers.
"The steroid controversy has been raging for years," says Calvin Ayre, Founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "With Barry Bonds under the microscope, the integrity of the national pastime is at stake. Whenever a current affair of such magnitude finds the spotlight, there will be intense debate. Bodog.com allows people to place a value on their forecasted outcomes of the issues of our time. What we do with our proposition wagers is add to the debate."
Bonds, the San Francisco Giants' star, enters the season with 708 homers, trailing only Babe Ruth (714) and Aaron (755) on the career list. Bettors looking to put their predictions to the test can bet on the following:
Will Barry Bonds be suspended at any time during the 2006 MLB regular season for past or present steroid use?
Yes +170
No -250
How many home runs will Barry Bonds hit in the 2006 MLB regular season?
Over 30½ Home Runs -130
Under 30½ Home Runs -110
Will Barry Bonds break Hank Aaron's all-time Home Run record in 2006?
Yes +315
No -530
Bettors also have plenty of other wagering options at Bodog.com, including lines on regular-season games, more player propositions and futures. For all of Bodog.com's offerings, see
http://www.bodog.com/welcome/266054/...ayer-props.jsp.