Barry Bonds says he feels a huge sense of relief since federal prosecutors dropped what was left of their criminal case against him last month after a nearly decade-long steroids prosecution.

"I can say yes, there's a lot. Because it'd be not true if I said there wasn't some weight lifted off my shoulders," Bonds said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Bonds added that he's unconcerned with everybody else's thoughts on his career or credentials: He's a Hall of Famer.

"I don't even justify that. There's no need," he said. "That's without saying."

The government's pursuit of Bonds ended July 21 with a one-paragraph motion by the U.S. Department of Justice announcing Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. would not ask the U.S. Supreme Court to review the appellate decision that overturned Bonds' obstruction of justice conviction.

"That's why I say God is good," Bonds said. "Every player who's ever played against me knows my ability, and that's something I will never, ever have to explain. I'm not insulted by anything. I don't hold grudges. I'm not going to hold a grudge. I know what I brought to the game. I'm proud of that. That's all, I'm proud of that."