Giambi avoids punishment

TORONTO -- Jason Giambi escaped punishment from commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday because of the Yankees slugger's charitable work and cooperation with baseball's steroids investigator.

Selig, speaking on the second and final day of an owners meeting, called this an "appropriate decision."

Giambi has acknowledged a "personal history regarding steroids." He agreed to speak with former Sen. George Mitchell last month after Selig threatened to discipline him if he refused to cooperate.

"He's doing a lot of public-service work, and I think that's terribly important," Selig said. "I think it's more important for us to keep getting the message out. He was, I thought, very frank and candid with Sen. Mitchell, at least that was the senator's conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate decision."

Selig said June 21, before Giambi met Mitchell, that he would take "Giambi's level of cooperation into account in determining appropriate further action."

"I am pleased with commissioner Selig's decision to forego any punishment for Jason," said Giambi's agent, Arn Tellem.

Selig said Mitchell was not expected to speak with any other active players.

"This was a special circumstance," Selig said. "I have no other plans."

No date has been announced for the release of Mitchell's report.

Giambi met Mitchell in New York on July 13, becoming the first active player known to talk with baseball's steroids investigator.

Mitchell and members of his law firm met with Giambi. Tellem, and lawyer, Brian O'Neill, were present, along with Rob Manfred, executive vice president for labor relations in the commissioner's office, and players' union general counsel Michael Weiner.

Giambi, a former American League MVP, missed more than two months this season because of torn tissue in his left foot. He's batting .270 with 9 home runs and 26 RBI in 51 games.

On other matters:

•The commissioner's office and the players' association are discussing the possibility of starting the 2008 season in Tokyo, with the Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics under consideration along with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

•Selig said the league does not intend to hold an official celebration to honor Barry Bonds for breaking Hank Aaron's home run record. "I think my statement was appropriate and I don't have any future plans," he said. When Bonds broke the record, Selig issued a statement saying, "While the issues which have swirled around this record will continue to work themselves toward resolution, today is a day for congratulations on a truly remarkable achievement."

•On the Florida Marlins' plans for a new ballpark, Selig said: "We need to make progress there. This team needs a new stadium. I've said many times I like South Florida. I think it's a major-league market. But it's a major-league market only if they get a new ballpark."

•Selig said he hopes to decide on the host of the 2010 All-Star Game in the next month or so. "Then I'll determine 2011 and probably do a few of those. I'm going to try to go AL and NL alternating. I think that's fair, since it does determine the homefield advantage (in the World Series)."