"Legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell used to say of a batter who took a third strike: "He stood there like the house by the side of the road and watched that one go by." That reference came to mind watching Jason Giambi on Friday and most of Saturday.

By design, Giambi watched every pitch he saw and never took a swing Friday when he took batting practice for the first time this spring. Seth Smith, who like Giambi is a left-handed hitter off the bench, was hitting with Giambi and Paul Lo Duca was behind the plate. Lo Duca was there again Saturday, and Smith was beside the batting cage, watching Giambi track a succession of pitches."