Jason Giambi: Carrying the Hot Stick
Washington DC – Jason Giambi is on fire as he hit two home runs, consecutively, against the Cleveland Indians Friday night, April 25th. See the home runs here. Yet he gets no respect at all. If he doesn’t hit .275 then it is reported that he stinks (regardless of injury), and isn’t worth the money. If he does hit, then he should, because of the money. Why are so many obsessed with the Steinbrenner’s money anyhow? Don’t they get their subsidy checks? Regardless, what does Giambi bring to the plate?
Runs, RBI and Home Runs is what he brings to the Yankee offense. This year, 24 games into the season, Giambi leads the Yankees in Home Runs, with two against the Red Sox, and two against the Indians in as many plate appearances. Both teams were in the post season last year, and the Yankees lost to Cleveland. The offense was to blame, but Giambi, the most dangerous bat on the team, only got up 4 times in the whole series, and got 2 hits.
The year before I watched as Giambi sat out against Detroit in a must win game 3. He had received a cortisone shot the night prior, but told Torre he was ready to go. After 6 innings of being shut out, there Giambi sat, as Sheffield played first. Sportscasters, and some fans point to his average. He didn't have a high average two years ago when he hit 253, yet he still finished 14th in MVP votes because of Run Production. He is 11 for 59 right now, with 5 Home Runs (most on the team), scored 10 runs, and has 12 RBI.
In comparison, Abreu has 2 less home runs, 9 more RBI, and has scored one more time than Giambi, but has also had 31 more plate appearances. Everyone lushes over Abreu, and how good he is at the plate. Maybe they mean that Bobby is good for the money he is paid. Because his defense, accuracy and speed in the outfield is sorely lacking.
Giambi is off to a slow start again this year, hitting 186, but leading the Yankees in Home Runs, amongst the top in runs scored and RBI. Giambi, though, was moved from the 5 spot to hit 7th. A-Rod certainly is not having the same April he had last year without a constant Giambi behind him in the line up.
Giambi was batting fifth last year during A-Rod's record breaking April. Rodriguez was able to accomplish this feat because pitchers weren’t going to throw to the threat behind him. And you can’t walk two in a row. It is because Giambi is a threat, every time he steps up to the plate. Pitchers are very careful with him, so careful that he has led the league in walks.
Last year (Giambi’s stats) , while missing half the season with injuries, he still had 40 walks, 14 Home Runs, and 60 hits in only 83 games. A mere half of a season. In 2006 he finished 14th in MVP votes, had 110 walks in 139 games, and only hit 253, but had 37 Home Runs with 113 RBI. In 2005 he finished 18th in MVP votes in only 139 games had 32 home runs, and was walked 110 times. He was also named Comeback Player of the Year, and missed more than 20 games. In 2004 he was diagnosed with a benign tumor. In 80 games he had 12 home runs, 33 runs, and 40 RBI, with a tumor. He was named as an All Star. He only played half of the season, imagine what he would have done if healthy.
The threat: walks, hit by pitch, home runs, runs scored, RBI, and "Forced Pitches for A-Rod".
This year he has 14 walks already, but you won’t hear that on ESPN. You’ll just hear he is 11 for 59, hitting 186. Other teams play that funny looking defense against him, leaving third base wide open. Is it because Giambi can’t hit, or is it because Giambi is a feared hitter? If he continues to be pitched around, then the batter ahead of him (A-Rod) will get forced pitches to hit. Going on his stats and his good eye, if he is pitched to then he will hit the ball (out), score and get RBIs, or get walked. Look out because he is healthy this year, and touting “I have been running a lot, and lost weight. I feel great, and am like a cat out there.”
Was David Ortiz moved from batting third after a slow start? No he wasn’t, and he is now en-route to becoming the Papi of old. With what has been the root of the Yankees 2 consecutive post seasons woes (the offense) Jason Giambi should remain playing, and should be in the same spot as last year. Fifth, or maybe even third. It’s all about Giambi. His HR’s, RBIs and runs scored tell the tale of a power offense.
Unless the Yankees want the pitcher to be able to walk A-Rod, and pitch to whoever is in the 5 spot, Giambi can be used to "force strikes." As it were, Giambi is a threat every time he is at the plate as made evident by that funny defense, and the number of walks he gets. Jason can turn the game around with one swing. Judging by the Cleveland game, April 25th, he can do it consecutively. When Giambi is at the plate, one swing is all he needs. That is a threat.
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2 months ago
Giambi hits a few home runs and you proclaim him the next comeback kid... give me a break .... us real fans know the deal about Giambi... we wouldn't wish him on our worst enemy... then again boston you don't really need Youkillis at first do you? come on we will give you a washed up .. self proclaimed steroid user!
from 2 months ago
Jack,
Comeback kid....great nickname! he was Named the Comeback PLayer of the Year in 2005. Is that the real giambi that youre talking about? Or is it the MVP candidate of 2006? He finished 14th, any REAL fan would know that. Injuries are Giambi's nemesis, and that is all. And he has been clean since 2003...when he was named by the FBI. I know, it stinks, huh? But keep claming the only honest one on the Yankees for now. As long as he keeps hitting it he will be "vendicated"
2 months ago
I think any Major League player can hit the pitches Paul Byrd threw to Giambi tonight.
from 2 months ago
Hey Nino,
Could Pavano have hit it out? Just kidding. He did take the first one out, and it was an outside pitch. The other night he bounced one off the wall. He isnt supposed to be able to do that. IF Gaimbi plays like I think he will (healthiest in awhile) the Yankees will blow it up in runs. They lead the league last year, imagine adding a healthy power hitter to the line up...with a permanent bat in his hands. He should never sit out. Especially in the post season!
from 2 months ago
Giambi is still a good hitter, even if he is a shell of his former-self. I'm just saying, don't use Paul Byrd as a measuring stick, he throws the Gopher ball and most of the time, it ain't pretty.
2 months ago
True. Though the first one Giambi hit was an outside pitch. He wasnt supposed to be bale to do that. The other night he hit one off the left field wall for a double. He isnt supposed to able to do that either.
from 2 months ago
April 26...Lost today. But the GIambi - A-Rod combo did well. With Giambi behind him A-Rod went 2 for 4, and Giambi got a walk. The two combined for 2 runs scored, of the 3. Georgie in the 8th spot came through. The 8th spot? I would have thought Posada is a 6. Oh well.
Farns looked okay today for an inng. No runs. Ollie gave it up in the 9th. Albby (Albaldejo) is a 2.35 with 7.2 inngs pitched. He should get a chance to throw ONE inng tomorrow to see how he reacts to the pressure of one and done.
Re Joba...The Yanks could just extend his inngs to 3 for a couple games in the Pen. Then to 4. If all is well, start him off at 4 or 5 inngs. Then the Yankees wouldnt have to worry about losing his arm to the minors, pitching to lesser hitters, and benefitting WSB. That is another way to transition him, while keeping him in the bigs.
I loved seeing Shelley Duncan in RF! Speed, an arm, and a bat (though no hits, he did hit the ball hard). Abreu DH. As opposed to Damon. That is another improvement made.
from 2 months ago
how did byrd do last year in the post season? he was one of their stars. but, i agree, off speed pitchers aren't a way to judge Giambi. Give him a fast ball inside to see what he could do,
2 months ago
G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BA
1705 5874 1048 1699 343 8 364 1183 16 .289
can you believe that Giambi stole 16 bases??
2 months ago
Patrick,
I know I went overboard and I know all the facts about his career believe me including his awards which is why i said "comeback kid" sorry i just have a knee-jerk reaction when someone mentions Giambi as I'm a section 39 bleacher creature :)
2 months ago
tuche Jack. I go to left field, double deck. though one year i was in right, triple deck and almost caught one his fly balls. Just out of reach to the right. 2005 home game againt the mets. If Giambi does well, and with Joba starting (set up guy TBD) we should be fine. Great even. Re the knee kerk, in fairness Giambi has had legitimate injuries. IF he is healthy, given his playing time the last 2 seasons, he should be in every game. What kind of reaction do you get to Farnsworth? Or better yet, Pavano? Farns has falshes of greatness. Added some off speed tghis year too. I wish Ohlendorf would get a one inning shot (7th or 8rh). Or Albaladejo. Not Bruney, he is mid to long relief. Ya gotta take the positives out of a loss, and try to get better next time. Hence the positive article. All is well in Yankee Universe, we're just sorting out some galaxies is all.
2 months ago
April 26th, 08 - lost the game today...but....with giambi behind a-rod forcing strikes, A-Rod went 2 for 4. giambi and a-rod scored 2 of the 3 runs. one run each, with a giambi walk. that combo is the threat.
Farns looked okay in the 8th. Ollie got rocked in the 9th, and took the loss increasing his ERA from 5.2. Albby (Albaladejoooo) is 2.35 in 7.2 inngs pitched. He may get a shot at the 7th or 8th next.
Maybe extend Joba's inngs in the pen to 3 for a couple of games, then 4. If all is well, start him. Then the Yankees dont have toi worry about sending his arm down to the minors to pitch to lesser hitters. More to come. Giambi and A-Rod connection did well today. And Gerogie did it again. In the 8 spot though. As opposed to the 6 spot
2 months ago
patrick i wrote a long response but it didnt go through i look forward to more of your articles though.. keep up the good work... your one of the respectful writers on here.
2 months ago
Hi Jack,
That happens to me sometimes as well. Hence the two posts that are identical. When youre posting a good, long response; always highlight it, and copy it before uploading it. That way you can save what you wrote. Also, after slecting "Post Comment", wait a bit til the status bar says done. And then hit refresh on the url. That should help. Sometimes if a post is being uploaded simultaneously then one dumps. General Rule is to copy before hitting post comment. Then the pearls are saved for another attempt. Thanks Jack for the compliment. Civility is good. And all is well in Yankee Universe
2 months ago
It just happend to me on my initial response Jack! Ironic. I will try again.... Hi Jack,
That happens to me sometimes as well. Hence the two posts that are identical. When youre posting a good, long response; always highlight it, and copy it before uploading it. That way you can save what you wrote. Also, after slecting "Post Comment", wait a bit til the status bar says done. And then hit refresh on the url. That should help. Sometimes if a post is being uploaded simultaneously then one dumps. General Rule is to copy before hitting post comment. Then the pearls are saved for another attempt. Thanks Jack for the compliment. Civility is good. And all is well in Yankee Universe
2 months ago
6th inning, giambi breaks open the flood gates with an rbi sacrifice. by the way, a-rod was hit right before. with bases loaded we started to score. giambi got the first run in.
2 months ago
6th inning, giambi breaks open the flood gates with an rbi sacrifice. by the way, a-rod was hit right before. with bases loaded we started to score. giambi got the first run in. against the indians, rubber game
2 months ago
giambi drove in (more like it) the first run, alex was hit by a pitch scoring one first. unreal, and against my philosphy. they did hit a-rod though. shocker. and giambu followed it by driving a sac rbi in. We won the game. Albby, to Farnsworth!! GREAT JOB TOO. Both one and done opprotunities too. Then to Joba (the Bridge) and to Mo. Smooth. No problems. Albby battled out of trouble fine. Keep the pitch low kid. Low - low. And fast too. Show it.
2 months ago
so much for on fire, batting .150 now, it must be a small fire.
from 2 months ago
Um, 1 for 3 with HR today, agasint the Tribe, up to 162, leads the team in HRs, amongst the top in RBi with a 736 OBP! Run factory in Ghiambino. oh, and career 972 OBP...and as almost the fewest at bats on the active roster. What does that tell you?
from 2 months ago
2 for 3 tonight, lost in extra inngs...and finally replaced Abreu in right in the 6th inng with Duncan.
2 months ago
correction...733 OPS, sluggin % with runners on...considering how many RISP the Yanks have stranded, this is an important ingredient he adds to the Yanks' mix
2 months ago
oh, and he is 2nd in RBI, one behind Abreu, with 38 less at bats now
2 months ago
Bang! Jason now leads the Yanks with HRs and is tied with Abreu with RBI, 3rd in Runs scored, 4th in walks....all with only 87 at bats, 8th fewest on the team...vs The Dealer Kenny Rodgers! Fri night. 5/9/08
2 months ago
can't be a hot stick at 181 and last in batting avg in the whole league. How many players are ahead of him?
from 2 months ago
How many have more at bats than him, try 7! and he is our HR leader, amongst the tops in rbi and runs...no wonder you hate him. Maybe his avg would be better if he got a chance at the plate more often. I certainly took no shots at Poopi when he was down, good to see that Red Sox Fan style class shining through the red colored shades
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