Yankees, MLB faced with Giambi's steroid use

By JIM BAUMBACH of Newsday

The New York Yankees and Major League Baseball struggled to come to grips Thursday with the explosive revelation that Jason Giambi admitted to a federal grand jury last December that he used performance-enhancing steroids for at least three seasons.

The repercussions of his testimony are expected to be felt throughout the sport. Giambi could lose his contract with the Yankees, which was to run for four more years and earn him $82 million. He is expected to be questioned directly by Commissioner Bud Selig and asked to explain himself soon.

Giambi, who turns 34 on Jan. 8, was called last December to testify before a federal grand jury investigating possible steroid distribution by the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative in Burlingame, Calif.

The first baseman/designated hitter said that during the 2003 season he injected human growth hormone into his stomach and testosterone into his buttocks. He also said he used “the clear” a liquid steroid administered by placing drops under the tongue, and “the cream” a testosterone-based balm that is rubbed onto the body.

A transcript of Giambi’s testimony was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle and published in part in Thursday’s editions. The testimony contradicts Giambi’s public statements that he never has used performance-enhancing drugs.

The Yankees responded swiftly Thursday, with members of their front office spending much of the day in closed-door meetings. According to a source close to the situation, the Yankees hope they can void the final four years of Giambi’s seven-year, $120 million contract. But the source said the Yankees realize it’s more likely they will reach some sort of buyout agreement.

Giambi declined to comment Thursday through his agent, Arn Tellem, as it became clear the Yankees will seek to end their working relationship. “They’re looking to get him out of there, one way or another,’’ said another source familiar with the Yankees’ discussions. “They don’t want this guy around.’’

Yankees President Randy Levine said in a statement, “We have met with the commissioner’s office today and will continue to work with them to obtain all of the facts in this matter. We have made no decisions and will keep all of our options open.”

Penalties for steroid use in baseball began in 2003, but testing that would identify players didn’t start until the 2004 season. Human growth hormone, which is not technically a steroid but acts like one, is not specifically banned by the major leagues.

An American League source said Major League Baseball sent out a directive instructing every team not to comment on steroids or BALCO.

MLB officials also spent much of the day in meetings; sources said the intent was to send a message to the baseball community that steroids will not be tolerated. Although any type of suspension is expected to be fought by the Players Association, baseball officials already have decided they want Giambi to speak with Selig soon.

According to an industry source, Rob Manfred, baseball’s executive vice president for labor relations and human resources, plans to call Giambi in the near future to make the arrangements.

“I’ve been saying for many months: I instituted a very, very tough program in the minor leagues on steroids in 2001. We need to have that program at the major league level,” Selig said Thursday at an already scheduled appearance in Washington, D.C. “This is just another manifestation of why we need that right away. My only reaction is we’re going to leave no stone unturned until we have that policy in place by spring training 2005.”

According to the Chronicle report, Giambi said Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds’ personal trainer, supplied him with all the steroids he used in 2003. He said he received human growth hormone from someone at a gym in Las Vegas. He also testified he followed a schedule from Anderson for taking three pills, one of which he thought was Clomid, a female fertility drug that enhances testosterone.

Anderson refused to comment in the Chronicle story and has pleaded not guilty in the case.

After a run of outstanding offensive seasons, Giambi — the American League’s most valuable player in 2000 — struggled in 2003. He was slowed by a left knee injury and his average dropped 64 points to .250, although he did hit 41 home runs and drive in 107 runs.

Giambi said in his testimony he did not receive steroids after the All-Star break because he was worried about doing more damage to his left knee, which required offseason surgery.

Asked if he still would use steroids if the BALCO case had not become public, he said, “I didn’t actually notice a huge difference, to be honest with you. I, of course, got injured this year. So that’s not a fair assessment, either. Maybe, yes, no, I don’t know.”

Giambi’s production, and his health, continued to decline in the 2004 season. He played in only 80 games, batting .208 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs in 264 at-bats. Among other ailments, Giambi was slowed by an intestinal parasite and a benign tumor that was reported to be in his pituitary gland.

Some medical experts say Clomid can exacerbate a pituitary tumor.

Giambi missed all of August and half of September resting and rehabbing and finished the season in a 4-for-52 slump. He eventually was left off the Yankees’ postseason roster.

Anderson, BALCO founder Victor Conte, BALCO vice president James Valente and track coach Remi Korchemny have pleaded not guilty to charges that include steroid distribution. In an interview to be shown on ABC’s “20/20’’ Friday night, Conte mocked MLB’s drug-testing program and guessed that “50 percent of the athletes are taking some form of anabolic steroids.”

Giambi was among dozens of elite athletes—including Bonds, Gary Sheffield and track stars Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones—who testified before the grand jury last year under a promise of limited immunity from prosecution.

—Ken Davidoff and Jon Heyman contributed to this story.