Yankee slugger Jason Giambi might not be feeling the best this evening. It's been a tough month or so, and things don't look to improve in the near future.
Giambi --who admitted to the BALCO Grand Jury he juiced -- talked about 'stuff' a few weeks ago to USA Today. Giambi's candor raised the cackles of the MLB brass. Called to a meeting with Commioner Bud Selig, Giambi was asked to cooperate with MLB's Mitchell PED probe. 'Asked' apparently in the sense US citizens are 'asked' to pay income taxes. USA Today says there doesn't appear to be much about voluntary, in the Selig dictum.
Commissioner Bud Selig is heading toward suspending Jason Giambi next week if the New York Yankees slugger does not cooperate with former Sen. George Mitchell's investigation on steroid use, according to a high-ranking Major League Baseball official.
The official, who talked with Selig but has not been granted permission to speak publicly because of ongoing talks, said Selig wants Giambi's decision by Tuesday.
Selig announced a week ago Giambi could be spared disciplinary action for his comments about steroids to USA TODAY if he cooperated with Mitchell's investigation within two weeks. Giambi, who is on the disabled list, and his agent Arn Tellem have not publicly said whether he will meet with Mitchell, and Tellem did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Selig and Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Don Fehr also have not commented.
What are the possible consequences if Giambi doesn't sing to Mitchell?
MLB rules call for a 50-game suspension for testing positive for steroids or other illegal performance-enhancing drugs. But Giambi has not tested positive since the policy was implemented in 2005. The commissioner could also fine Giambi.
You can bet the MLB PLayer's Associationisn't going to take this kneeling in the on-deck circle.
The Players Association has been in negotiations with MLB regarding Giambi talking with Mitchell and will file a grievance if the slugger is suspended, according to two high-ranking union officials. There's a possibility of a compromise in which Giambi would address only his testimony to a federal grand jury in 2003 investigating the Bay Area Laboratories Co-Operative, one of the union officials said.
"Such decisions are for the individual player to make, after receiving appropriate legal advice," general counsel Michael Weiner said last week. "We do not believe that grounds exist for disciplining Jason Giambi based upon the newspaper article, anything which sprang from it, or his decision whether he will meet with Senator Mitchell."
If Giambi talks to Mitchell, he could well be the first active MLB player to chat with the PED probe.
the shocking thing is giambi would be the first active player to be interviewed in the probe.
Posted by: fredbeene | 06/14/2007 at 08:51
Giambi should quit baseball and become a story-telling rickshaw driver. Kramer has been working doubles recently and needs a break.
Posted by: Newman | 06/14/2007 at 11:50