Giambi agrees to talk steroids with Mitchell

June 22, 2007|Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Jason Giambi agreed yesterday to meet with baseball steroids investigator George Mitchell and apologized for his conduct, becoming the first active player known to cooperate with the former senator.

"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," Giambi said.

The decision came two weeks after commissioner Bud Selig requested the meeting and followed long negotiations between lawyers for the players' union and Major League Baseball.

"I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual," said Giambi.

Giambi was quoted in USA Today last month as seeming to admit to steroids use several years ago -- during a period when baseball did not penalize most first-time drug offenders.

"A direct conversation [with] the commissioner impressed upon me the idea that the game of baseball would be best served by such a meeting," Giambi said. "I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids."

Selig nevertheless left open the possibility of punishment.

"I will take Mr. Giambi's level of cooperation into account in determining appropriate further action," he said.