"You can speculate on how many homers Jason Giambi might swat for the A's or ponder the impact that his leadership will have in the clubhouse.

But as the A's christen their 2009 season Monday night at Angel Stadium, there's another question that cuts to the heart of Giambi's return to green and gold.

Will the A's faithful rekindle their love affair with their former favorite son?

"I hope so," Giambi said with a chuckle last week.

Giambi is, by nature, one of the game's most likeable players. He's friendly and accomodating with the media, and generous with the time he's donated to charitable causes over his career.

But his defection to the New York Yankees following the 2001 season stirred a particularly intense brand of ill will among A's fans.

The cameo he did on the "Late Show With David Letterman," when he read off a Top 10 list of reasons why he signed with the Yankees, didn't help. Among the reasons: "Have you ever been to Oakland?"

Giambi can only grin and shake his head when reminded of that moment. He said he was simply given a script to read, and had no idea of the impact it would have.

"I made fun of myself, I made fun (of everything) across the board, (even) the Yankees," he said. ".... It just makes me laugh. I mean, it was a joke. I loved Oakland. I had the time of my life there."

The reasons behind Giambi's departure also didn't leave a great impression. Giambi turned down a six-year, $91

million contract offer from the A's during the spring of '01, with his refusal to accept anything less than a full no-trade clause a factor in his decision. Giambi eventually signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the Yankees.

Giambi's version of the story: He was convinced a deal was done with the A's, to the point where he says he flew his family in for the expected announcement, only to have ownership pull the deal off the table.

A's general manager Billy Beane wouldn't acknowledge if this was how things unfolded, but did say, "Jason made every effort (to stay). At the end of the day, the fingers couldn't quite touch.""