New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi agreed Thursday to become the first active Major League Baseball player to speak with former US Senator George Mitchell's probe of steroids in Major League Baseball.
Giambi is expected to testify about his use of performance-enhancing substances and steroids in the sport but was not expected to tell what he knows about other players.
Major League Baseball officials and lawyers for Giambi and the players union worked out a deal to allow Giambi to cooperate with the investigation launched 15 months ago by commissioner Bud Selig.
"In a direct conversation, the commissioner impressed upon me the idea that the game of baseball would be best served by such a meeting," Giambi said.
"I will continue to do what I think is right and be candid about my past history regarding steroids. I have never blamed anyone nor intended to deflect blame for my conduct.
"I, alone, am responsible for my actions and I apologize to the commissioner, the owners and the players for any suggestion that they were responsible for my behavior."
The deal ends two weeks of tense negotiations under a backdrop of a Thursday deadline to reach a deal or risk Selig imposing a punishment upon Giambi for comments made last month to USA Today.
Giambi told the newspaper he was wrong for "doing that stuff" and said Major League Baseball should have apologized years ago for its widespread doping problem, one made possible by the prior lack of any anti-doping test program.
"I've come to this decision for a number of reasons," Giambi said. "I did not want to put my family through a lengthy legal challenge in support of my position.
"In addition, the uncertainty of my playing status could detract from the efforts of our team to win the American League East."
Selig wanted Giambi to cooperate fully with the probe and said he would consider Giambi's cooperation when considering a punishment for his comments, so the deal at least temporarily keeps Giambi from being suspended.
"Senator Mitchell has assured me that Mr. Giambi's interview will be scheduled promptly," Selig said. "Once the interview process has concluded, I will take Mr. Giambi's level of cooperation into account in determining appropriate further action."
Giambi indicated that he will not talk about other players, including Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants slugger nearing the all-time US home run record of Hank Aaron.
Major League Baseball officials want to learn more about Bonds, who like Giambi was linked to the BALCO steroid scandal. Giambi new Greg Anderson, the personal trainer for bonds and one of five men convicted in the BALCO scandal.
Anderson is behind bars now for failing to cooperate with a grand jury looking into perjury and tax charges against Bonds.
"As I have always done, I will address my own personal history regarding steroids. I will not discuss in any fashion any other individual," Giambi said.
"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 the comments I have made on the subject and it remains so to this day."
Multiple reports have said Giambi failed an amphetamines test in the past year, which would subject him to greater drug testing than most major league players. A second failed test would bring a 25-game suspension.
