Giambi Set to Cooperate With Mitchell

Jun 22, 05:00 AM

Current Headlines: By Bob Nightengale

Slugger Jason Giambi, choosing to avert a legal battle with Major League Baseball as a result of statements made to USA TODAY, agreed Thursday to become the first active player to publicly cooperate with former senator George Mitchell's steroid investigation.

The deal, finalized after two weeks of negotiations, allows the New York Yankees designated hitter to be interviewed by Mitchell, but questions will pertain only to his use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. His testimony can't be used for legal action or by the Yankees to terminate his contract, according to two lawyers familiar with the negotiations.

"As I have always done, I will address my own history regarding steroids," Giambi said in a statement. "I will not discuss 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 (my) comments."

Giambi, who testified in 2003 to a federal grand jury that he used steroids and human growth hormone, according to leaked testimony to the San Francisco Chronicle, told USA TODAY on May 18 he was "wrong for doing that stuff.

"What we should have done a long time ago," Giambi said, "was stand up -- players, ownership, everybody -- and said, 'We made a mistake.'"

Giambi, who is on the disabled list and had not addressed the issue in more than a month, said Thursday that he never intended to fault baseball. "I alone am responsible ... and I apologize."

No date for the Mitchell meeting was announced, but once it's concluded, Commissioner Bud Selig said he will determine whether to discipline Giambi.

"The commissioner was extremely persuasive in impressing upon us how important he felt it was that Jason speak," agent Arn Tellem said.

Last week, USA TODAY reported, citing a high-ranking MLB official, that Selig was heading toward suspending Giambi should he not cooperate with Mitchell.

The players association believes Selig does not have the right to punish Giambi even if he didn't cooperate. "We support Jason and his decision," said Don Fehr, its executive director.

Team spokesman Howard Rubenstein said in a statement, "The Yankees continue to fully support Commissioner Bud Selig."

*Giambi, Selig statements, 5C (c) Copyright 2005 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.