Jason Giambi

Jason Giambi is currently a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Oakland Athletics. The New York Yankees declined Giambi's option for 2009, making him a free agent.ESPN.com: Giambi, Pavano eligible for free agency after options declined (November 4, 2008)

On January 6, 2008, news agencies reported that Jason Giambi signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics. The deal is believed to be for $5.25 million dollars for one year with an option for a second year.FOX Sports: Sources: A's land Giambi with one-year deal (January 6, 2009)

In 2003, Giambi was named as a baseball player who took steroids as part of a federal investigation into the Bay Area Laborarory Co-Operative (BALCO). In leaked grand jury testimony, Giambi admitted to using steroids and human growth hormone between 2001 and 2003. In 2007, he publicly apologized for "using that stuff" and was one of the few active players to talk with former U.S. Senate Majority leader George Mitchell.

Giambi grew up in southern California and made his major league debut with the Oakland Athletics in 1995. He eventually took over first base duties on the team after the departure of Mark McGwire in 1997. Between 1997 and 2002, Giambi was one of baseball's most fearsome sluggers, hitting over 27 home runs in every year. In 2002, Giambi joined the New York Yankees, and signed a seven year, $120 million contract. To fall in line with the Yankees grooming policy started by owner George Steinbrenner he shaved his long hair and goatee. In 2004, Giambi was diagnosed with a benign tumor and missed most of the year, but in 2005 he was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year for his resurgence.

In 2000, as a member of the Oakland Athletics, Giambi won the AL MVP award. Prior to the release of the Mitchell Report, Giambi was the only active baseball player to admit using steroids.