Despite steroid scandals, retiring Giambi rebuilt his reputation - SI.com
Jason Giambi announced his retirement on Monday, bringing to a close a fascinating and often controversial 20-year major league career that saw him go from hard-partying, MVP-winning slugger at the center of Oakland's Moneyball- era renaissance... With camps set to open later this week, he made his announcement via a statement in the New York Daily News , one that concluded:. Indeed, Giambi's career was unique in that, unlike many other high-profile players associated with illegal performance-enhancing drugs (including Oakland mentor Mark McGwire), he managed to find a way back into the good graces of both fans and the... His name surfaced in the BALCO scandal in early 2004, and details of his usage surfaced via leaked grand jury testimony later that year. After making a non-specific apology in 2005 so as to avoid further legal hassles, he came clean in 2007. After starring in three sports at South Hills High School, Giambi was originally drafted in the 43rd round by the Brewers in 1989. He chose... Source: www.si.com
