The Orioles will stand behind Jay Gibbons?at least that?s the stance taken by the team?s owner: Peter Angelos.
In an interview with The Examiner Tuesday, Angelos used the premise of his legal background – suggesting that everyone is innocent until proven guilty?as his basis for backing the Orioles outfielder.
“He hasn?t tested positive for anything,” Angelos said.
But Angelos was silent on other topics, refusing to comment about the state of the organization as the team stumbles to its 10th straight losing season as attendance plummets.
The allegations against Gibbons?an online report by Sports Illustrated linked the slugger to an alleged illegal Internet drug distribution network?mark the third consecutive season the Orioles have been dragged into a steroids controversy.
Gibbons was allegedly linked to performance-enhancingdrug use last season in an affidavit given by Jason Grimsley when the former Orioles reliever admitted to using HGH. In 2005, first baseman Rafael Palmeiro tested positive for steroids, and was suspended by Major League Baseball for 10 games on Aug. 1. He hasn?t played since that season ? the same year he surpassed the 3,000-hit plateau.
But when asked what he would tell a fan base that staged a protest last year and is on pace to set the second-lowest attendance figures since the Orioles moved into Camden Yards in 1992, Angelos declined to comment.
Before manager Dave Trembley?s daily meeting with the media, the Orioles? communications department informed reporters the team would not comment regarding the allegations Gibbons received steroids, human growth hormone and testosterone from October 2003 to July 2005. Major League Baseball prohibited players from using testosterone and human growth hormone in 2003 and 2005, respectively.
“With regards to the Jay Gibbons situation, we don?t know anything official and we have not heard from the commissioner?s office,” Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. “It is inappropriate to comment at this time.”
Orioles players were unwilling to address the media about Gibbons. The Orioles have lost 16 of 19 games entering Tuesday?s game against Anaheim at Camden Yards. Calls to Gibbons? agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, were not returned.
“We have to play with pride, emphasize doing things correctly and making sure the guys play hard,” Trembley said. “The other things we can?t control. We can?t control the guys that have gotten hurt or what?s happened.”
According to the report on Sports Illustrated?s Web site Sunday night, Gibbons has been linked to an alleged illegal performance-enhancing drug distribution ring based in Florida. The report does not condemn Gibbons for using steroids, only receiving shipments of synthetic Human Growth Hormone, testosterone and another hormone that specializes in raising the testosterone level.
“I thought he had a potential future here with the Orioles,” said 30-year-old Glen Burnie resident Steve Phillips, a fan who attended the Orioles? game on Tuesday. “I don?t ever foresee him in an Oriole uniform again, now. It?s just my opinion, but I don?t see it ever happening again.”
Gibbons, 30, batted .230 with 6 home runs and 28 RBIs in 84 games before undergoing shoulder surgery Aug. 14. He signed a four-year contract for approximately $21 million in Jan. 2006. However, a high-ranking source close to the team said Monday if his alleged involvement in performance-enhancing drugs is true, the Orioles could release him by voiding the final two years of his contract, worth about $11 million.
Major League Baseball is reportedly interested in meeting with Gibbons, as well as St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel and Toronto third baseman Troy Glaus ? who are also reportedly involved in the scandal with Signature Pharmacy.
