Hubris has been the bane of many a hero.

It took down Bellerophon, who became so enamored of himself he thought he deserved to saddle up Pegasus and ride up to Olympus to party with the gods. Zeus had other ideas, however, and Bellerophon was awarded a life sentence of misery as a blinded cripple.

But hubris does not apply solely to Greek mythology, as a certain Giants slugger with the body of Apollo has found out. Barry Bonds sought out his own Olympus, but the modern day Zeus — the United States federal government — is aiming to shoot him down.

Bonds has been indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice for alleged false testimony he gave to a grand jury. He faces arraignment on Friday, and later a possible trial should he refuse to cut a deal. If convicted, he likely faces — according to experts — about a year in prison.

The sad thing is, if it weren’t for Bonds’ hubris, this whole saga could be over by now.

In the autumn of 2003, Bonds went before a grand jury, called to testify about his involvement with BALCO, Victor Conte’s steroids factory disguised as a nutritional supplement lab. BALCO was the target of the feds’ investigation, not Bonds or any of the other athletes — Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi among them — who were called to testify.

That’s why the athletes were all granted immunity in exchange for their testimony. There was only one caveat: no pleading the Fifth. That left Bonds and the others with two options: tell the truth or lie and risk perjury charges.

According to “Game of Shadows” — the revealing and painstakingly researched book by San Francisco Chronicle writers Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada — this was emphasized to Bonds as he was sworn in.

The slugger’s response was to mock the prosecutor, saying sarcastically “you’re confusing me — I’m telling you.” Then to the jury: “Is he confusing you guys? I’m glad it’s not me.”

According to “Shadows”, Bonds’ lawyer Michael Rains was worried at the time that the whole gathering was designed to draw his client into a perjury trap. He put Bonds through several mock cross-examinations to help him prepare, as Rains would not be allowed in the room.

Bonds faces federal charges Bonds pleads not guilty to 5 federal charges Ventre: HR king isn't so fearsome anymore Bonds wants to play somewhere in 2008 Robinson's widow: Don't condemn Bonds yet Opinion: Blame Bonds’ ego for this mess TODAY: 756 ball buyer to put asterisk on it Ex-trainer Anderson 'never going to testify' Ventre: Bonds targeted by witch hunt? Please   Opinion: Goodbye . . . and good riddance

Bonds had angry and incredulous responses to some of Rains’ questions. “What kind of a stupid question is that?” he would say. Or “Go (bleep) yourself.”

It was Bonds’ big chance to swallow his pride and come clean, but instead he reacted with a mix of sarcasm and vitriol.

During the grand jury hearings, five other baseball players admitted under oath to steroid use. All of them were connected to Bonds’ personal trainer Greg Anderson and BALCO.

Sheffield claimed ignorance, but actually fingered Bonds, saying “Barry pretty much controlled everything. … It was basically Barry (saying), ‘Trust me. Do what I do.”

Giambi owned up completely, and he even described how he injected himself. The Yankees first baseman has since admitted that confessing was the right choice.

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Victor Zambrano's mother rescued in Venezuela   Report: Griffey reaches deal with M's for '10   Wainwright: Holliday wants to return to Cards Cuban ‘not on prowl’ for Dodgers, or any team Sosa’s skin undergoing color change Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay Damon, Matsui and Pettitte all could return Yankees’ Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves Scully to broadcast in 2010, then decide future Baseball GMs pass on expanding instant replay Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: