Hey, Giambi, Please Come Out Of Hiding

[Crash Course]

Surprise! Jason Giambi has used performance enhancing drugs.

I haven't been this shocked since Rosie O'Donnell came out of the closet.

Many are upset because Giambi has been quoted in the past as saying he did not use steroids, etc. I have no issue with that. It's what people do these days. A former President says "I never had sex with that young woman" and then recants. A former Reds skipper says "I never bet on baseball" and then recants. These days, "recanting" has replaced baseball as our "national pastime." Giambi covered himself like they all do now when first asked a dirty question.

What is interesting is that this news on Giambi has been leaked. Who had the loose lips? You know, with the 20/20 Victor Conte interview on ABC to air tomorrow - where Conte claims that he's going to 'name names' - it would not throw me if it turns out that it was Giambi's camp who now disclosed what Giambi testified to when asked about juicing.

Think about it - you know that someone is going to drop a bomb on a group of people, tomorrow, and you're one of them. When it hits, it will be sensational. But, if "your news" hits solo the day before, then you have one day of headlines to yourself, and then the next day - when the "others" are named - all of a sudden you're 'old news' and the shock and the heat dies down a bit. Hey, it's just a theory - but, it's not impossible.

What really bothers me about this whole thing is the fact that it's now almost 24 hours since the story broke and we have not heard "boo" for Giambi or his reps. What's he waiting for - another 3 months until Spring Training starts?

Giambi, with his actions and testimony, has brought a heap of shame on himself and his employer. What he does with his own rep is one thing. But, what he's doing now, by hiding, and letting this thing drag, is a disservice to his employer. He needs to get out there, face the music, answer the questions, and begin the process of trying to get the buzz on this thing to come down some notches. And, the sooner he does this, the better. If he tries to hide until Spring Training, and then turn the Yankees camp into a circus with this 'stuff' his team and teammates should take action on him - and call him out until he's forced to come out and deal with the media and the public (before camp opens).

Jason, you've used artificial means to enhance your position to the point where you were able to convince other people (the Yankees and their fans) to provide tons of money and support. Now, you got caught. You cannot return what was already given to you. But, in some effort to "make good" to those people, you need to be a man and step out of hiding and start dealing with this mess that you have created.

Suck it up big boy.

[KCBOOMER]

There were rumors of Giambi being on steroids befor the Yankees signed him. They either knew what they were doing or were incredibly naive. Neither says much their decision making when $119M is at stake.

[Crash Course]

Timing could have been the key. Remember, he signed in late 2001 - when, in the eyes of baseball, there was no 'rule' saying that a player could not use a performance enhancer.

[captain_napalm]

Originally Posted by Crash Course

Timing could have been the key. Remember, he signed in late 2001 - when, in the eyes of baseball, there was no 'rule' saying that a player could not use a performance enhancer.

No, but still... With all the hubbub at the time about McGwire using Andro, you would think that there would be something of a stigma WRT players using "performance enhancers."

[KCBOOMER]

The rule is not important. What is important is the potential negative impact of steroids on a player physically. To blow $120M on a player with a higher risk for physical collapse is not wise; however, the Yanks wouldn't be the first or last team to take a chance on a physically suspect player.

[Crash Course]

I cannot fault the Yankees for signing him in 2001.

At the time, Giambi was coming off BTB seasons of an OPS 200 points above league average - - and only 60-something guys in the history of the game have done that three times in a row, which Giambi became one of them (BTBTB) after his 1st year in NY.

He was a major offensive force. And, the rule, at the time, was very important.

Let's say you had a chance to sign Joe All-Star and it was known that he bet on baseball. Now, if you knew at the time that there was a rule that said 'bet on baseball, and you're out of the game,' of course, you would not sign him. But, if there was no rule whatsoever that said betting on the game was bad, then, you only look at his all-star play and ink him (if you're the team that wants to have the best players on your squad).

This is the same thing - there was no baseball rule that said players could not use enhancers, so, why would you care as a team if there was a chance the guy was juiced? You see the OPS, you have a need, it seems to make sense to get the guy.

Back to the main point of the rant in this SOTS.........so, almost 2 days later, where's Jason?

How hard would it be to come out and say "It's true. I lied. I did use 'x,y,z' because I thought it would enhance my performance. I just wanted to be a better baseball player and focused so hard on the results that I lost my moral compass with respect to my choice of methods. Now, having embarrassed myself, my family, and my team, and having upset so many baseball fans, I fully understand that it was a terrible mistake. I will forever attempt to make this tremendous wrong into a right. My goal is to become clean of the use of performance enhancers and return to being a good baseball player as well. I want to be a role model for the kids on how using performance enhancers is bad, how it can ruin your life, and how you can succeed and be a good player without them. I beg everyone to accept my apology and allow me to attempt to make something positive of this terrible situation that I created."

Really, how hard would it be to release a statement like that now?

[captain_napalm]

Originally Posted by KCBOOMER

The rule is not important. What is important is the potential negative impact of steroids on a player physically. To blow $120M on a player with a higher risk for physical collapse is not wise; however, the Yanks wouldn't be the first or last team to take a chance on a physically suspect player.

Britt Burns and Pascual Perez come to mind...

[captain_napalm]

Originally Posted by Crash Course

Back to the main point of the rant in this SOTS.........so, almost 2 days later, where's Jason?

How hard would it be to come out and say "It's true. I lied. I did use 'x,y,z' because I thought it would enhance my performance. I just wanted to be a better baseball player and focused so hard on the results that I lost my moral compass with respect to my choice of methods. Now, having embarrassed myself, my family, and my team, and having upset so many baseball fans, I fully understand that it was a terrible mistake. I will forever attempt to make this tremendous wrong into a right. My goal is to become clean of the use of performance enhancers and return to being a good baseball player as well. I want to be a role model for the kids on how using performance enhancers is bad, how it can ruin your life, and how you can succeed and be a good player without them. I beg everyone to accept my apology and allow me to attempt to make something positive of this terrible situation that I created."

Really, how hard would it be to release a statement like that now?

IMO, I've met these allegations with an indifferent feeling. I don't feel lied to, I don't feel hurt, or anything. I don't feel bad for him, as he made the choice as an adult to do steroids.

He's handling this the best he can, I assume. If he wants to make an apology, it's his own right. If he doesn't, it's in his right as well. I guess, if he is planning to apologize to the fans of NY, I guess he will do it when he feels the time is right.

I don't know if we have any pro wrestling buffs here, but I remember they had their own steroid problem as well. To my knowledge, I don't remember anyone apologizing over there, but then again, I don't really follow

[Crash Course]

Did anyone in pro wrestling say they were not using and then were found out to have testified that they did use?

[rc3000]

Originally Posted by Crash Course

Did anyone in pro wrestling say they were not using and then were found out to have testified that they did use?

I thought Hulk Hogan did admit but I am not sure.

[Crash Course]

According to http://www.ajc.com/news/content/spor...eesgiambi.html -

After learning of the report yesterday morning, the Yankees almost immediately met with the commissioner's office. According to an official who was briefed on the meeting, the Yankees are seeking financial relief from the $82 million they owe Giambi over the next four seasons.

Randy Levine, the Yankees' president, met for more than an hour with Rob Manfred, baseball's executive vice president for labor relations and human resources. Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, released a brief statement on Levine's behalf that was notable in not offering any support of Giambi.

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

Just another reason why Giambi should start doing some damage control/spin PDQ.

[Crash Course]

Four days later and Chicken Giambi is still on the run.

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/35828.htm

December 6, 2004 -- Jason and Jeremy Giambi haven't done much on the baseball field lately, but they can still execute a pretty good double play.

The baseball brothers, holed up in an exclusive Nevada country club in the wake of a steroid scandal that has sullied their names, dodged a pair of journalists outside their home on the club grounds.

The two sped off in separate vehicles when they were approached yesterday by a reporter and photographer near Jason's posh home in Henderson, Nev., near Las Vegas.

Jason hit the road in a hulking blue Chevy Suburban, while Jeremy got away in a silver Porsche.

Gutless, IMO.

[Crash Course]

From http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/32569.htm

December 7, 2004 -- Five days after his grand jury testimony leaked out, steroid-scandalized Jason Giambi yesterday spoke out for the first time — through his agent, anyway.

The Yankees' disgraced slugger said he wants to return to The Bronx next year, though that remains a very iffy proposition.

"Jason Giambi is an extremely dedicated athlete and a caring and loyal teammate," agent Arn Tellem said in a statement.

"Jason loves the game of baseball, the Yankees, and the extraordinary New York Yankees fans.

"Jason has always appreciated the steadfast support of the fans who have been there through good times and bad. He is determined, focused and working hard to return to form in 2005 and help the Yankees get back to the World Series."

How weak. No apology - and, it's a statement that is clearly from his agent, to protect his stake of Giambi's pie.

Giambi should be offering a Jimmy Swaggart "I have sinned" speech at this point - and what this statement offers is nada.

[RichG]

And if he gave a Jimmy Swaggart speech would you find that acceptable?

[Crash Course]

Originally Posted by RichG

And if he gave a Jimmy Swaggart speech would you find that acceptable?

It would be a start.

I would not erase everything - but, if he showed some remorse, I think it could help his position in the eyes of many fans.