Giambi’s fate in Selig’s hands
Commissioner Bud Selig likely will decide within a week or two exactly what to do, if anything, with Jason Giambi.
The New York Yankees designated hitter was questioned Wednesday by management lawyers for recent comments in USA Today that could have been interpreted as an admission of steroids use.
Selig probably will issue a statement even if he doesn’t discipline Giambi, a baseball official familiar with the process said Thursday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the parties involved agreed not to discuss the matter publicly while Selig is deliberating.
Lawyers who represent players and teams have said it would be difficult for Selig to suspend Giambi for steroids use prior to 2005 and have it upheld by an arbitrator.
Baseball management and the players’ association didn’t agree to ban steroids until Sept. 30, 2002. In 2003 and 2004, players could be suspended for a first offense only if it involved criminal convictions for use and possession of prohibited substances, and participation in the sale or distribution of prohibited substances.
Suspensions for a first positive test involving steroids began in 2005.
Before the 2005 season started, Giambi held a news conference and apologized – but he never said what he was apologizing for.
In last Friday’s editions of USA Today, Giambi was quoted as saying: “I was wrong for doing that stuff. … Steroids and all of that was a part of history. But it was a topic that everybody wanted to avoid. Nobody wanted to talk about it.”
Hancock suit filed
The father of Josh Hancock filed suit in St. Louis, claiming a restaurant provided drinks to the Cardinals relief pitcher even though he was intoxicated prior to the crash that killed him.
The suit, filed in St. Louis Circuit Court by Dean Hancock of Tupelo, Miss., does not specify damages. Mike Shannon’s Restaurant, owned by the longtime Cardinals broadcaster who starred on three World Series teams in the 1960s, is a defendant in the case along with Shannon’s daughter, Patricia Shannon Van Matre, the restaurant manager.
Other defendants include Eddie’s Towing, the company whose flatbed tow truck was struck by Hancock’s sport utility vehicle in the early hours of April 29; tow truck driver Jacob Edward Hargrove; and Justin Tolar, the driver whose stalled car on Interstate 64 was being assisted by Hargrove.
The Cardinals and Major League Baseball were not listed as defendants.
Howard coming off DL
Ryan Howard is expected to come off the disabled list and rejoin the Philadelphia Phillies in Atlanta today, after completing a rehab assignment with Class A Lakewood, N.J. Howard went on the 15-day DL May 10 due to a strained left quadriceps.