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Notebook: Giambi avoids punishment

Bud Selig said Jason Giambi will not receive disciplinary action for use of steroids. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Bud Selig said Jason Giambi will not receive disciplinary action for use of steroids. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

With a bright-eyed smile stretched across his rosy face, Jason Giambi bounced around the field during batting practice and posed for photos with fans.

The New York Yankees slugger had plenty to be happy about Thursday.

Giambi escaped punishment from commissioner Bud Selig because of his charitable work and cooperation with baseball’s steroids investigator.

“It’s over and done with. I’m thrilled with it. He did what he needed to do – now I can go forward,” Giambi said before the Yankees hosted Detroit in the opener of an important four-game series. “I can go forward and not hurt the ballclub with a suspension.”

Selig, speaking on the second and final day of an owners meeting in Toronto, called this an “appropriate decision.”

Giambi has acknowledged a “personal history regarding steroids.” He agreed to speak with former Sen. George Mitchell last month after Selig threatened to discipline him if he refused to cooperate.

“He’s doing a lot of public-service work, and I think that’s terribly important,” Selig said. “I think it’s more important for us to keep getting the message out. He was very frank and candid with Sen. Mitchell, at least that was the senator’s conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate decision.”

Rodriguez keyed in

New York’s Alex Rodriguez was presented with a key to the city in honor of his 500th home run.

A-Rod hit the milestone homer on Aug. 4, becoming the 22nd and youngest player to reach the mark.

He received a key to the city from Mayor Michael Bloomberg at Yankee Stadium before the game against Detroit while teammates and manager Joe Torre looked on.

“It will be something I hold dear to me for the rest of my life,” Rodriguez said.

Winter league canceled

The Puerto Rican winter baseball league, where the likes of Roberto Clemente, Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez starred, canceled its upcoming season because of financial problems.

The league was supposed to start its 70th season in three months. Instead, it suspended operations and planned to spend the next year trying to reorganize.