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.
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