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Written by The Roving Reporter
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Tuesday, 15 February 2005 |
Jason Giambi, silent all winter after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that he admitted using steroids in his testimony before the grand jury in the BALCO case, will meet the media on Thursday at Yankee Stadium.
BY ANTHONY MCCARRON
New York Daily News
TAMPA, Fla. - (KRT) - What will he say? What can he say?
Yankee officials say they don't know what Giambi will say, and it's unclear what he can say. When the news of his testimony broke in December, the Yankees began exploring ways to get out of the remaining four years and $82 million on Giambi's contract. That attempt was unsuccessful, and the Yanks now say that Giambi will be a regular this season, either as the first baseman or designated hitter.
If Giambi admits steroid use Thursday, he could give the Yankees the evidence they need to restart the process of dumping him. He also may break a pledge not to discuss his grand jury testimony if he admits wrongdoing. It's possible all he can say is that he is going to try to put the past behind him and have a good season.
On Wednesday, Yankees GM Brian Cashman would not talk about Giambi's press conference, saying only, "We're going to let that day happen. It's really him talking about his situation. I don't want to talk about his event before it. I'll be there to talk about it afterward."
Regardless of what Giambi says, Tino Martinez, Giambi's possible replacement at first base, said that teammates and fans would welcome Giambi back.
"Hopefully, he says he's healthy and he's feeling good," Martinez said. "He's a great hitter. He's got a great eye and he still has the ability to put up big numbers. I don't know what he's going to say, but I know the guys on the team are ready to get him over here and get going and get the first couple of days out of the way because I'm sure those are going to be the hardest, with the media and stuff.
"He'll be accepted just fine by the team. He played with these guys last year; they know him. The thing about it is, because of all the controversy, people don't really realize he's a great guy off the field and in the clubhouse as well. I'm sure everybody is pulling for him. I know I am. I want him to get back and have a great season, because I want to win a championship again and obviously he can help us."
In addition to questions about BALCO and whether he can help the Yankees, Giambi also will be asked Wednesday about reportedly being prominently mentioned in Jose Canseco's upcoming book, "Juiced," in which Canseco alleges that he introduced steroids to Mark McGwire and McGwire introduced them to Giambi, who was once a skinny line-drive hitter.
Giambi had a nightmare season last year, batting .208 with 12 homers and 40 RBI in 82 games. He battled a benign tumor on his pituitary gland, an intestinal parasite and other maladies and was not healthy enough for the Yankees to put him on their postseason roster.
But friends of Giambi's say he has been working out in Las Vegas this winter and that he is fit. Tanyon Sturtze, perhaps Giambi's best friend on the Yankees last year, told the Daily News on Tuesday that Giambi's trainer, Bobby Alejo, told him that Giambi is feeling strong.
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