Steroids, Families and a Home Run Chase

July 20, 2007 — -- As San Francisco Giants superstar Barry Bonds inches his way closer to the all-time home run record, at least two families affected by steroid use are watching with a bit of displeasure and a bit of hope.

The record is considered by many to be the greatest in all of sports. When Bonds hits No. 756 he will surpass Hank Aaron's 755 home runs. But unlike the day Aaron set the record, Bonds' achievement will be shrouded in controversy over his alleged steroid use.

Bonds has never been charged, though federal investigators and Major League Baseball continue investigating claims that he used performance-enhancing drugs for years. Because of these allegations, some inside baseball don't think Bonds should get many of the accolades that no doubt will fall upon the slugger when he breaks the historic record.

Two families are watching the home run race with intent interest. They aren't so much concerned with the record itself but with the impact Bonds' achievement might have on young men who yearn to play ball.

This is a story about two young men. They lived hundreds of miles apart but both were willing to do anything to play in the Major Leagues even if it meant taking steroids.

Growing up in Sonoma County, Calif., about 50 miles north of San Francisco, Rob Garibaldi tried to emulate Bonds. He was built like Bonds was in his early years. Garibaldi analyzed Bonds' swing hoping to one day have the same style and power.

"With all of Barry Bonds' accomplishments, Rob saw that he could be a player like him," Garibaldi's mother, Denise Garibaldi, told ABC News. "Barry was a hometown boy when Rob was growing up."

Garibaldi played on his high school team and went on to join the Trojans at the University of Southern California. Throughout his time in school Major League scouts told Garibaldi he had great potential but that he was too small and needed to find a way to grow muscle.

Garibaldi took dietary supplements, but they had little impact on his muscle mass. The baseball scouts probably never meant for Garibaldi to turn to steroids to get stronger. But as he would later tell his family, he was willing to do anything to be just like Bonds.

"He took his high school graduation gift money and went to Tijuana with a friend and within a one hour time had an appointment with a doctor, a prescription, filled the prescription and was back across the border," said Denise Garibaldi.