How Many HR's Would Bonds Have Hit Without Steroids?

That's the question posed (and answered) by Dan Szymborski at the Baseball Think Factory. His answer, based on data before Bonds's skull started to magically grow, is "somewhere between 590 and 650 home runs." (Read the article here.)

It's a question that's been asked since "Game of Shadows" hit bookstores. Ultimately, it's an unanswerable question, no matter how many statistics and extrapolations are available. Bonds played in what could arguably be called the Steroids Era, in which hitters weren't the only ones juicing: The players named in the Mitchell Report were split about 50/50 between pitchers and position players. How can one break out the advantages pitchers on HGH, steroids, and other drugs enjoyed?

The experts don't know. I don't know. And, barring the invention of a time machine, nobody will ever be able to answer questions about the Steroid Era with a degree of certainty that would satisfy most hardcore baseball fans. We're still living under the shadow of the asterisk.