This Jason Giambi Situation is Infuriating on So Many Levels

If you think this guy is the enemy, you aren't paying close enough attention
Sometimes I really hate people. Jason Giambi's steroid 'admission' in USA Today has brought out my favorite of the sports media's many glaringly absurd coverage techniques: hypocrisy. I don't really want to spend too much time on this as I could write about it all day, but I do want to kinda bullet point the wrongness of what is going on with the coverage and reaction to his statements.

1. Hey idiots, THIS IS WHY HE COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING THE FIRST TIME
When Giambi "apologized" the first time, he got killed for not saying what he was sorry about. At that time, the criticism was that he was a coward for not explicitly coming out and saying he did it and it was wrong. So now, when he goes a little bit further, he gets killed by everyone for saying what he was supposed to say 2 years ago. And to top it all off, he could get suspended by MLB or possibly lose his contract because of it. So the media NOW says he's an idiot for saying anything. He can't win. I wish some friggin moron reporter who raked Giambi over the coals two years ago would have the guts to write an article that basically said, "Ohhhhhhhh, so that's why he couldn't say anything about what he meant in his apology in 2005. Sorry boot that, Jas."

2. Ummm, didn't we already know Giambi did steroids? Is this news?
I love how people are reacting to this like it's a big deal that Giambi did steroids. When I first heard about this story, I thought I was in the twilight zone or something. We already knew Giambi did steroids. Just like we know Bonds did (or does) anything that comes in a vial and can be injected into his ass. This is what got me so frustrated with the Schilling situation. Everyone condemns Bonds and Sheffield and Giambi for using steroids and disgracing the game, but then pretends like they are shocked when new information comes out. You can't sit on one side and say that the Bonds home run chase is the worst thing that has every happened to our planet in recordable history and then act surprised and disgusted when a player you already knew did steroids admits to doing steroids. Bud Selig has gone on record as saying he may not attend the record breaking home run game. He is likely not attending because of Bonds's steroids link. So if MLB knows about Giambi, Sheffield and Bonds's steroid use, why do they need to investigate Jason Giambi's comments? This should be the shortest investigation in history? I could run that investigation. You go up to Giambi, tell him that everything he says is off the record and he will be immune from any penalty because his offense happened before the most recent steroid rules and then ask him if he did steroids. When he says yes, your investigation is over. It's like finding out that Anderson Cooper is gay. Sweet. You just confirmed what everyone already knew.

3. Don't we want Giambi to apologize?
This is the last thing about this that upsets me, but Giambi is the ONLY one of the steroiders still playing who is willing to step up and tell people about it. Isn't that a good thing? Don't we want to encourage this type of behavior? I know we're all litigious and shit and want to limit liability and void contracts and cover your ass, but Giambi's frank talk on the subject should be cast as admirable if not heroic. Clearly he is aware of the potential consequences of saying anything on the matter. I mean, he's worth $100 million, he probably has a couple lawyers who have informed him of what he should and should not say about this. Giambi seems like he wants to just clear the air. It's killing him that he can't talk about this. Shouldn't we want him to? Shouldn't we let him? And shouldn't we be thankful that he's not a narcissistic prick who wants us to feel bad for the way he's being portrayed? And most of all, if we are killing Jason Giambi for speaking up, by that logic shouldn't we be praising Bonds for not opening his mouth? Giambi just wants to get it out in the open and move on. Isn't that why MLB launched the Mitchell investigation? Isn't that what everyone wants? I'd like to move on. So you know what, I'm gonna.