Spiezio

USA Today . . .

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Troy Percival, who played with Spiezio with the Angels from 2000 to 2003 and with the Cardinals last season, says he strongly believes his former teammate needs help. He says he tried to help Spiezio, sitting up night after night in Spiezio's hotel room last year, trying to persuade him to seek treatment.

It went nowhere, with Spiezio even threatening to hit Percival if he didn't leave, Percival says. Desperate, Percival says he telephoned Spiezio's father, Ed, who played nine years in the major leagues, telling the elder Spiezio his son was in trouble.

"There are times when a son just needs his father," says Angels vice president Tim Mead, who also spoke with Spiezio's father. "That was one of those times."

Percival is still trying to help. But like so many others who are reaching out, Spiezio has ignored the calls and messages. Instead, he has left an outgoing greeting on his voice mail for people trying to phone him: "Things are a little crazy right now. Swamped. I appreciate the call. I'll call you back when things settle down."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-03-06-spiezio_N.htm