Giambi agrees to meet with Mitchell
June 21st, 2007
New York, NY (Sports Network) - New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi announced on Thursday that he has decided to meet with baseball steroids investigator and former U.S. Senator George Mitchell.
On June 6, Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig asked Giambi to meet with Mitchell, who is conducting the sport's investigation into steroid use. USA Today originally reported that Selig was heading toward suspending Giambi if he didn't cooperate.
"Today, I have agreed to Commissioner Selig's request that I meet with Senator George Mitchell," said Giambi in a statement. "In a direct conversation the Commissioner impressed upon me the idea that the game of baseball would be best served by such a meeting. I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids. I have never blamed anyone nor intended to deflect blame for my conduct. I alone am responsible for my actions and I apologize to the Commissioner, the owners and the players for any suggestion that they were responsible for my behavior.
"I've come to this decision for a number of reasons. I did not want to put my family through a lengthy legal challenge in support of my position. In addition, the uncertainty of my playing status could detract from the efforts of our team to win the American League East. My focus at this time needs to be on rehabbing my injury, getting back on the field, and contributing to the goals of my team. To be embroiled in a legal battle could undermine all of this and I would never put my family, my teammates, or the Yankees in that position.
"Accordingly, I have agreed to this meeting. As I have always done, I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual. My hope is that this meeting will serve as a positive step, as all parties involved seek the best approach in dealing with the issue of 'drugs in sport.' That has always been the intent behind all of the comments I have made on the subject and it remains so to this day."
Giambi, who is on the disabled list with a foot injury, will be the first active player to cooperate with Mitchell's investigation.
Last month, Giambi was quoted by USA Today as saying baseball needs to apologize for the issue of steroids in the sport.
Giambi soon after met with Major League Baseball officials and Selig considered suspending the former AL MVP for his vague admission to taking performance-enhancing drugs.
Giambi was among those who testified before a grand jury during the BALCO investigation in December 2003, and reports in the San Francisco Chronicle a year later said he told the grand jury that he used steroids and human growth hormone. In February 2005, he issued an apology, but never used the word steroids -- citing legal issues -- and did not specifically say for what he was apologizing.