Report: Giambi "Heading Toward" Suspension

MLB Commissioner Will Suspend Yankees Slugger If He Doesn't Cooperate With Drug Probe, Source Says

(CBS/AP)  Baseball commissioner Bud Selig is "heading toward" suspending Jason Giambi next week if he doesn't cooperate with the steroids investigation by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, USA Today reported on its Web site early Thursday.

The newspaper, citing a high-ranking Major League Baseball official who had spoken with Selig, said the commissioner wants a decision from Giambi by Tuesday. The official was not given permission to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, the paper said.

Selig said June 6 that he wanted Giambi to meet with Mitchell within two weeks and to "cooperate fully" with the probe, which began in March 2006.

Baseball said Selig would make a decision on disciplining the New York Yankees designated hitter after Giambi "completed his activities" with Mitchell and that Giambi's level of cooperation would be taken into account by Selig.

The players' association said Giambi, currently on the disabled list with a foot injury, would make his decision after consulting with his lawyer and the union. No active players are known to have spoken with Mitchell.

MLB rules call for a 50-game suspension for a positive test for steroids or other illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Since the policy was implemented, Giambi has not tested positive. Selig could also fine Giambi, the newspaper reported.

Giambi told a federal grand jury in December 2003 that he used steroids and human growth hormone, the San Francisco Chronicle reported in December 2004. Before the start of spring training in 2005, the 2000 AL MVP made repeated general apologies at a news conference but never used the word "steroids." He told USA Today in comments published May 18: "I was wrong for doing that stuff," comments many interpreted as an admission he used steroids.

In a written statement last week, Selig said, "Any admission regarding the use of illegal performance-enhancing substances, no matter how casual, must be taken seriously."

"It is in the best interests of baseball for everyone, including players, to cooperate with Sen. Mitchell in his investigation so that Sen. Mitchell can provide me with a complete, thorough report," he said.

Baseball and its union didn't ban steroids until September 2002 and didn't institute penalties for a first offense in most cases until 2005. Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel, said no grounds exist for disciplining Giambi based on the remarks published by USA Today or Giambi's decision about whether to meet with Mitchell.

[enriquecaliente]

How long were steroids used in the NFL, how many records were set during that time.? How many NFL players that used steroids are in the hall of fame.? Until a player either confesses or is found to have steroids in his system, then they are innocent and as far as I'm concerned the question is mute.

[redhoffer]

Honestly, that MLB is going this hard after Giambi for talking about apologizing and coming maybe 10% clean on the topic of baseball steroids is the big sports story of the week. Not the NBA, not golf.
How secretive are these MLB thugs? They want to keep the truth hidden so much that they will destroy Giambi for even opening his mouth about steroids. So many of the guys used them, he's just the only one who has even given us fans a tiny bit of respect by suggesting they apologize.
MLB hates that, and now they will take him down.
I don't want to be lied to and I don't think someone who starts being honest should be dismantled by MLB.
The sports writers know that if they back Giambi the MLB mafia will make sure they never get a decent interview with a ball player again.
I just can't belive this is working, someone needs to put up for Giambi. He's not the only player to use steroids (it's probably closer to 50% than zero percent), he is just the first one to suggest feeling sorry about it and now he will be destroyed for that sentiment. Shocking... Selig is worse than Rove as far as ethics go.

[tscm98]

I think that all baseball players who are guilty of using steroids should not be voted into the Hall of Fame or entered into the history books based on stats. It is completely unfair, and skews their numbers. Why should Bonds go into the history books for home runs, when he wouldn't #1 if held to the same standards as those who came before him? They are complete losers especially those who fight to get in the history books and Hall of Fame. They knew exactly what they were doing, and took the drugs solely to enhance their performance.

[drivelphobe]

Yes, I remember Lyle Alzado. I recall he admitted to the use of steroids, but also to the use of human growth hormone harvested from human corpses, and who knows what else. He admitted that the steroid use perhaps caused his brain tumor, but he ceratinly wasn't a physician. His practice of experimenting with various concoctions to assist in his performance enhancing schemes, leave much doubt surrounding his final diagnosis. I have known many people and heard of many people taking steroids and have yet to ever experience a negative side effect from steroid use other than some pimples, and that wasn't verified. As I said, the FDA approved directions for steroids includes daily use for the improvement of protein utilization. They are harmless unless there is an underlying medical condition which can be determined under proper medical supervision. The should be legalized for use in enhancing performance.

[questionnews]

Does the name Lyle Alzado mean anyhing to you? I guess you don't mind athletes being vegetables or dying young as long as you are entertained.

[drivelphobe]

I just don't get why the use of steroids is such a big deal. We use all sorts of techniques to enhance health, strength and performance, so why not the FDA approved pharmaceuticals? Dianabol, an early favorite of body-builders in the 50's, is approved for daily use in individuals to aid in protein utilization. How bad can it be? We want our athletes to coninue to outperform past athletes, and we expect new records to be made. We love to watch these giant gladiators battle it out on the basketball court or the football field, not to mention the ultimate fighting. Why shouldn't these individual have the finest supplements and pharmaceuticals available? What are these compounds for anyway? Why should they be used only for sick people? Let's legalize these products and move towards new and crowd pleasing contests.