The following is from a Braves press release: Atlanta
Braves Executive Vice President and General Manager Frank Wren
announced today that the Braves have agreed to terms with
infielder/outfielder Scott Spiezio on a minor league contract for the
2008 season. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. Spiezio will begin the season with Triple-A Richmond, which opens play on Thursday (April 3) against Rochester. Spiezio, 35, has
appeared in 1,274 career games with four different clubs since 1996. He
owns a .255 career batting average, 119 home runs and 549 RBIs and has
collected two World Series rings – with the Anaheim Angels in 2002 and
with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Spiezio was released by the Cardinals on February 27 following an off-the-field incident that occurred this past off-season. "After
talking with Scott this past weekend and meeting with him this
afternoon, we feel he is sincere in his contrition and we are willing
to give him a second chance," Wren said. "Scott will workout in Rome (A) tomorrow and then report to our Richmond club on Wednesday." Spiezio made the following statement:
"I
am very embarrassed and sorry for what happened in the off-season. I
have taken steps, including treatment, to ensure it will not happen
again. I have taken full responsibility and I am making restitution to
the people I have hurt. I am very appreciative of the
second chance I’ve been given. The Braves have made no promises to me,
except to give me the opportunity to prove that I have made amends and
that I can still perform at this level."
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