Bobby Estalella isn’t just a pretty face with an armband tattoo.  The former Phillies catcher, who has been out of baseball since 2004, has agreed to become a government witness is the federal perjury case against Barry Bonds.  Estalella, who played with Bonds on the San Fransisco Giants in 2000 and 2001 is expected to provide first hand knowledge of Bonds steroid use.

Estalella first made news in 2003 when he testified during the BALCO investigation. In his leaked testomony he stated he knowingly used the “cream” and “clear” as provided to him by Bonds’ trainer, Greg Anderson.  Estalella was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report. In 2003 the Los Angeles Dodgers were weighing their options for a backup catcher and referred to Estalella as a “poster boy for the chemicals”.

While physically he may be a poster boy, but steroids didn’t give Estalella the edge he needed.  In his nine-year major league career he batted .216 with 48 home runs and 147 RBI’s.

Another former Phillie, Jeremy Giambi is also expected to testify at Bonds’ trial (along with his brother Jason Giambi).  While they don’t have first hand knowledge of Bonds steroid use (although Jason did accompany Anderson and Bonds to Japan on a promotional trip), as clients of BALCO, the government will use their testimony to show how Anderson kept calendars for all players who were on his “program”.

This is only the beginning.  Expect the list of former and current players who will testify to grow as we get closer to opening arguements.  Bonds’ trial starts on March 2nd.