Murph Takes the Stand

Mike Murphy to testify

As the perjury and obstruction of justice trial of Barry Bonds continues Thursday, a familiar face to Giants fans will take the stand.  Equipment Manager Mike Murphy, who has been with the team for the last 53 years, is scheduled to testify for the prosecution.

"Murph" is one of the team's most beloved members and was forced to return from Spring Training in Scottsdale by order of the court.  His expertise on the stand is the hat size of his former player. Prosecutors claims Bonds' hat size grew over the time he was on steroids.

Murph will also be asked about other physical changes to Bonds, including back acne through a series of nine photos that had been introduced to court. 

Wednesday, Barry Bonds' childhood friend, Steve Hoskins testified that Bonds had asked him to research effects of steroids in 1999. Prosecutors also played a phone conversation where Hoskins is apparently discussing Bonds' steroid use with his trainer Greg Anderson.

There are still many witnesses to come in the trial including former and current Major League Baseball players, government agents, physicians, and employees of Balco.

The trial is expected to last at least three weeks.  Legal experts say it is unlikely Bonds will do any jail time even if convicted.  The trial is about lying, not steroid use.

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