Last week, I wrote a blog post about former Oriole Jay Gibbons writing an emotional letter to all 30 major league organizations pleading for a job, even at the minor league level. As Orioles followers know, Gibbons, once a fan favorite, was named in the Mitchell Report as having received a shipment of human growth hormone, and he subsequently admitted his culpability. After a miserable start to spring training, Gibbons was released by the Orioles in March even though he is still owed about $12 million.
Gibbons could have quietly faded away, but he apparently feels he has something to prove - maybe to himself. His note to teams read, in part: "I have acknowledged and apologized for the mistake that I made and writing this letter should be proof enough that I have indeed suffered for my mistake. ... My faith in a second chance has inspired me to work harder than I have at any time in my life."
