Jason Giambi has agreed to cooperate with George Mitchell’s investigation into steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. This comes as no surprise to those following the story. The New York Daily News has been reporting almost daily about the progress between lawyers from the Players Union and Major League Baseball regarding the potential meeting.
Giambi issued a statement confirming his cooperation and apologizing for any implication that others were responsible for his actions. In the statement, Giambi definitively and publicly admits his “personal history regarding steroids,” but says he will not discuss “any other individual” with Mitchell investigators.
It’s not known when Giambi will sit down with Mitchell or his investigators, but Commissioner, Bud Selig, said the meeting would occur “promptly.”
Jason Giambi’s Statement in full:
Today, I have agreed to Commissioner Selig’s request that I meet with Sen. George Mitchell. In a direct conversation the commissioner impressed upon me the idea that the game of baseball would be best served by such a meeting. I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids. I have never blamed anyone nor intended to deflect blame for my conduct. I alone am responsible for my actions and I apologize to the commissioner, the owners and the players for any suggestion that they were responsible for my behavior.
I’ve come to this decision for a number of reasons. I did not want to put my family through a lengthy legal challenge in support of my position. In addition, the uncertainty of my playing status could detract from the efforts of our team to win the American League East. My focus at this time needs to be on rehabbing my injury, getting back on the field and contributing to the goals of my team. To be embroiled in a legal battle could undermine all of this and I would never put my family, my teammates or the Yankees in that position.
Accordingly, I have agreed to this meeting. As I have always done, I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual. My hope is that this meeting will serve as a positive step, as all parties involved seek the best approach in dealing with the issue of “drugs in sport.” That has always been the intent behind all of the comments I have made on the subject and it remains so to this day.
