Two weeks ago Jason Giambi simply expressed his thoughts to USA Today. Bet he never thought he would raise such a maelstrom at that point.
Following the initial analysis of Giambi's remarks, the Yankees talked about releasing his contract. The commissioner of baseball called him in to chat. And now Commissioner Bud Selig says Giambi may be required to sit down with Senator George Mitchell to talk steroids.
Anyone else out there think this is incredibly duplicitous? How can Selig raise such a stink about Giambi small interview. What about the 1000 pound gorilla issue called Barry Bonds run at the career home run mark? Didn't records show Bonds admitted to PED use?
Where are the meetings between Mitchell and Gary Matthews Jr.? Between Mitchell and Guillermo Mota (actually tested positive). Did Sammy Sosa enjoy a sit-down with Mitchell; Sosa the suspect juicer and bat corker.
Story here in Bloomberg (and SI.com):
June 6 (Bloomberg) -- Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he wants Jason Giambi to cooperate with George Mitchell's steroid investigation before he disciplines the New York Yankees player for his comments about the drugs.
Giambi should meet with Mitchell within the next two weeks, Selig said in a statement. Major League Baseball lawyers met with Giambi and his representatives two weeks ago after USA Today published a report on May 18 that quoted Giambi saying he was ``wrong for doing that stuff,'' which could be viewed as a confession that he took steroids.
``Any admission regarding the use of illegal performance- enhancing substances, no matter how casual, must be taken seriously,'' Selig said. ``Discipline for wrongdoing is important, but it is also important to create an environment so players can feel free to honestly and completely cooperate with this important investigation.''
Arn Tellem, Giambi's agent, didn't immediately return a telephone or e-mail message for comment.
Giambi will meet with his lawyer and players union attorneys to determine how to respond to Selig's request, said Michael Weiner, general counsel for the union.
``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,'' Weiner said in a statement.
The Yankees said in a statement they support Selig and declined to comment further.
Comments