Jason Giambi: A Force for the New York Yankees

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 25^th.  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 7^th

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