Jason Giambi News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 9

InsideTheRockies.com

"A glance at the stats from the first two games of the NL Division Series between the Colorado Rockies and Philadelphia Phillies will show that Jason Giambi had only one at-bat, and he struck out, on four pitches with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning of Game 2 on Thursday afternoon. Don't be misled. The Rockies held on for a 5-4 victory against the Phillies in that game, evening the best-of-five series that now heads to Colorado for the next two games, and Giambi's impact was significant. Hours before a pitch was thrown, when the frustrations of a Game 1 loss was still fresh in the mind of rookie center fielder Dexter Fowler, who had gone 0-for-4 and flied out to right on the first ..."

Veteran Giambi guiding young Rockies in tense playoffs

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October 9

Denver Post

"It was one of those small moments that looms large after the dust and drama have settled. Before Thursday's Game 2 of the National League division series, Rockies pinch hitter Jason Giambi worked the batting cage, telling the youngest Rockies to relax, play their game, let their talents loose. With 43 postseason games under his belt, the 38-year-old veteran knows what he's talking about. The way Giambi had it figured, Wednesday's Game 1 should have been more than enough to set get rid of those abdominal butterflies. "Jason basically huddled up all the kids that were involved yesterday - guys that had never been in the postseason - and Jason's message to them was, 'OK, now you've been to ..."

Giambi bolsters Rockies' bench

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October 7

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Sure, Jason Giambi is the most recognizable name - and face - coming off the Colorado bench, but the Rockies had established their bench identity well before the former Yankees/Athletics slugger headed their way just over a month ago. "His presence has helped, but as far as coming in and helping the bench guys, we already had strong bench guys," said Colorado reserve outfielder Ryan Spilborghs."I think a lot of guys on this team have been doing this bench role for a bit so we have an understanding. But as far as making our bench better, he obviously makes our bench so much stronger."The National League division series begins this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park and those not scheduled to ..."

Giambi Makes Himself at Home in a New Race

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September 3

New York Times

"Jason Giambi is wearing a black sleeveless T-shirt, flaunting the flaming skull tattoo on his bulging left arm. His cap, pulled tight, sits backward atop his head. A Fu Manchu-style mustache accentuates his 5 o'clock shadow. After all these years, Giambi still looks like a slugger, but appearances can be deceiving. Out of baseball two weeks ago after he and his .193 average were released by Oakland, Giambi has latched on with the Colorado Rockies. Or, more precisely, with their bench, where he will begin most every game. Giambi, 38, is the latest aging power hitter to drift into the pennant race, eager for what could be his final chance at an elusive World Series title. In 14 complete ..."

Rockies unfazed by flurry

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September 2

Denver Post

"The Monday night trading frenzy in the National League West created little more than shrugged shoulders from the Rockies. The Dodgers got Jon Garland, a Rockies target, and Jim Thome, and the Giants signed Brad Penny? So what was the prevailing vibe at Coors Field? "I am not worried about who in the (heck) other teams got," manager Jim Tracy said. "Our concern is who we have." The Rockies countered the Dodgers with similar moves, promoting former all-star slugger Jason Giambi and acquiring Jose Contreras. Contreras will receive two starting assignments, the first Saturday against the Diamondbacks. If Contreras can command his fastball, allowing him to set up his split-finger and slider, ..."

Rockies hope Giambi powers playoff drive

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August 25

Toronto Star

"The Colorado Rockies signed former AL MVP Jason Giambi to a minor-league contract yesterday. The 38-year-old Giambi will report to Triple-A Colorado Springs, hoping for a September call-up to help the Rockies with their pennant push. Colorado went into last night's game against San Francisco with a three-game lead in the NL wild-card race. "He's a veteran guy that understands this point and time of the season, that's been there and done that," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. Giambi was cut by Oakland earlier this month after hitting .193 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs. Although he has played all 1,933 games of his career for AL teams, Giambi has a .274 batting average with 44 homers and 137 ..."

Giambi: Rockies seem a "good fit"

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August 25

Denver Post

"A rusty Jason Giambi met new Sky Sox teammates Monday and flashed the power stroke that prompted the Rockies to sign him. The 38-year-old slugger isn't expected to play for Triple-A Colorado Springs until Wednesday, but he took batting practice on his first day in town. "I felt great," Giambi said. "I just need more game situations. I've been hitting off pitching machines." Sky Sox manager Stu Cole figures his newest player will DH against Salt Lake on Wednesday."

Rockies confirm Giambi wanted for run

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August 24

MLB.com

"Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd's search for a left-handed bat in the season's final month drove him to pursue Jason Giambi, who is in the final stages of completing a Minor League deal with the Rockies."We've been looking for a left-handed bat to call up when rosters expand," O'Dowd said Sunday. "If Jason is healthy, he's coming."Giambi, 38, a former All-Star who was released by the Athletics on Aug. 7 after he slumped to .193 through 83 games, will play for Triple-A Colorado Springs to regain his swing, then join the Rockies when the roster expands to a limit of 40 on Sept. 1."This is a very good teammate, a guy who has been in the arena that we're in right now and gets that, which in ..."

Giambi leaves legacy behind in Oakland

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August 8

MLB.com

"The Jason Giambi that played for the A's this season is not the one that Nomar Garciaparra will remember. "He could change a game," Garciaparra said on Friday after Giambi was unconditionally released by the A's in his second stint with the franchise. "He wasn't afraid to be the guy that took it all on his shoulders." But Giambi struggled this season as he returned to the franchise for which he starred from 1995-2001. He hit just .193 with 11 homers in 83 games and found himself on the disabled list in July. "We're at a point where we have a couple of first basemen, younger guys that we'd like to play," manager Bob Geren said, mentioning Tommy Everidge and Daric Barton, who is also on the ..."

A's part ways with Giambi

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August 8

San Francisco Chronicle

"When Jason Giambi returned to the A's last winter, he and Oakland general manager Billy Beane spoke about "getting the band back together," and Beane said he felt as if he was marrying his ex-wife again. On Friday, the relationship ended for a second time when the A's gave Giambi his unconditional release. Beane said that the decision "was not something any of us envisioned" when the 2000 AL MVP signed with Oakland in January, but Beane cited the team's last-place standing, the need to find playing time for youngsters such as Tommy Everidge, and Giambi's performance as reasons for the decision. Giambi was batting a major-league low .193 when he went on the disabled list with a strained ..."

Failed Giambi experiment a caution to Beane

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August 8

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Ray Rotto

"Sometimes a player release isn't conspiratorial, or based on personality conflicts, or some secret plan to make a team younger and cheaper. Sometimes it's about hitting .193, and slugging .364, and the .697 OPS, and the 40 RBIs as a cleanup hitter, and being 38, and being injured."

A's release Jason Giambi

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August 8

Contra Costa Times

"First baseman Jason Giambi, whose swagger and power helped to turn around an A's franchise more than a decade ago, was released by the team Friday morning in another move designed to give younger players a chance for more playing time in the final seven-plus weeks of the season. Giambi, a 15-year veteran, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quad on July 20 but had not played since he became eligible to return on Tuesday, even though he said he felt physically fine. "It's difficult because Jason had a long, successful history here. He's somebody that everyone was very fond of. Not just as a player, but as a person," A's general manager Billy Beane said via ..."

Too much money -- not enough production

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August 8

Oakland Tribune

columnist Carl Steward

"JUST A few weeks ago, Jason Giambi spent $50,000 to buy his old Yankee Stadium locker. Now he has something to put in it - all his gear from his sad, short-lived return to Oakland. Of course, Giambi also could store the money the A's will continue to pay him even though he was waived Friday after just 83 games in an Oakland uniform, during which he hit .193. Giambi still will get the $4 million he was signed for this year, plus another $1.25 million for the buyout of his option next year. While he surely was disappointed to get his walking papers, he won't be too put out for buying that locker. But the A's might be feeling the pinch for what now can be regarded as a very expensive mistake ..."

A's release Jason Giambi

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August 7

Contra Costa Times

"First baseman Jason Giambi, whose swagger and power helped to turn around an A's franchise more than a decade ago, was released by the team Friday morning in another move designed to give younger players a chance for more playing time in the final seven-plus weeks of the season. Giambi, a 15-year veteran, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quad on July 20 but had not played since he became eligible to return on Tuesday, even though he said he felt physically fine. The A's already have several infielders capable of playing first base and Giambi, with a .193 batting average, was likely going to find it difficult to get playing time. The team will likely give Tommy ..."

A's release Giambi

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August 7

MLB.com

"Jason Giambi, who struggled through a half-season return to Oakland prior to landing on the disabled list in late July, was unconditionally released on Friday by the Athletics. Giambi, 38, had been on the team's DL with a strained right quad since July 20. Prior to that, he hit 11 home runs and drove in 40 runs, but batted only .193 in 83 games. It was not the type of homecoming season the A's anticipated when they re-signed the power-hitting face of their franchise from 1995-2001, after which the left-handed-hitting first baseman signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees."

Giambi, and .193 average, on DL

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July 21

Contra Costa Times

"The A's placed first baseman Jason Giambi on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained right quadriceps, adding to what's been a frustrating season for the veteran slugger. Giambi has battled sore legs all season, but he's played the majority of innings at first base even as his average has plummeted to .193, lowest in the major leagues among everyday players. He wasn't available to reporters Monday. But general manager Billy Beane and manager Bob Geren indicated the quad injury has accumulated over time. The A's recalled Daric Barton from Triple-A Sacramento for his second stint with Oakland this season. Barton started at first base Monday against Minnesota. "He's had some nicks and ..."

Giambi, Cust bust out

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July 2

San Francisco Chronicle

"Two of Oakland's slumpingest players drove balls out of the Coliseum on Wednesday, and they did it against one of the league's top pitchers. Jason Giambi, who entered the day with a league-low .197 average, whacked his 407th career homer, tying him with Hall of Famer Duke Snider on the all-time list. And Jack Cust, pushed down in the order because of a recent slump, also hit a two-run homer off Justin Verlander in Oakland's 5-1 victory over Detroit. Though the A's have lost six of their past eight and 14 of 21, they still took the series from the AL Central-leading Tigers. Giambi had struck out in his first two at-bats Wednesday against Verlander, and his third time up, with no outs, he ..."

Mates adopt Giambi's pregame yams diet

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June 11

Contra Costa Times

"The story went that Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs was fanatical about eating chicken before every game. A's first baseman Jason Giambi has his own pregame dietary ritual: yams. Or sweet potatoes, if yams aren't available. They look similar, taste similar and serve a similar function as an energy provider. They've been a staple of Giambi's diet since spring training of last season, when he saw then-Yankees teammate Alex Rodriguez munching on them. "A-Rod's really dedicated about how he eats," Giambi explained. "I felt like one aspect of my playing that I could really clean up was eating well. (Rodriguez) would always eat sweet potatoes before the game because it not only fuels you ..."

Giambi's juice too little, too late for A's

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May 10

Contra Costa Times

"The A's 6-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday might go down as the game where Jason Giambi began turning things around at the plate. For his part, Giambi had this to say after notching the 38th multihomer game of his career: "I would have traded them in for a win. We've got to get over the hump and start playing some better baseball, and not wait until the end." True, it was the typical team-first stuff you often hear from a player who has a big day in defeat. But Giambi's words were on target. After showing signs of busting out offensively in wins Thursday and Friday, the A's were held to three hits and one run over the first eight innings Saturday before they sprung to life. ..."

Giambino Returns To The Bronx With His 'Stache

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April 20

New York Post

"He is big, he is strong, he is . . . The Giambino! And he's back! Jason Giambi will return to The Bronx today as a member of the Athletics to begin a three-game series with the Yankees. Giambi is back with his original club after spending the past seven seasons in pinstripes. As a Yankee, Giambi experienced the highest of highs (hitting two home runs in a Game 7 victory over the Red Sox in the 2003 ALCS) and the lowest of lows (admitting use of illegal performance enhancing drugs). Derek Jeter predicted the crowd will give Giambi a warmer reception than it gave Carl "The Punchline" Pavano yesterday. "He'll get a good one, I'm sure," said Jeter, who smiled when reminded of Giambi's return. ..."

Giambi's tank already is running near empty

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April 12

Oakland Tribune

"After seven innings against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, Jason Giambi had to tell A's manager Bob Geren his tank was running on empty. Giambi, 38, already had legged out an infield single and sprinted after a foul ball that landed just out of his sliding reach. "I told Bobby, '(The legs) are dead'," Giambi said. In the A's home-opener on Friday night, Giambi ran all the way to third after he hit a slow ground ball to pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, whose errant throw went past first base and down the right field line. "This is way too much running for me," Giambi said. "This is a little out of control for me. This is way too much running this early in the year." Giambi's infield single ..."

Will fans give A's Giambi homecoming welcome?

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April 6

Oakland Tribune

columnist Joe Stiglich

"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 ..."

Together again: Giambi, Chavez talking baseball

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April 5

San Francisco Chronicle

"With Opening Night drawing near, The Chronicle sat down with third baseman Eric Chavez, the longest tenured A's player, and the team's returning first baseman, Jason Giambi. Among other things, the two old friends and teammates talked about playing together again after seven years apart, the upcoming season and knuckle balls. Q: When did you both have an idea Jason would be coming back this way? Eric Chavez: Actually, the year before I heard something, someone threw the idea out there. Jason Giambi: He missed me (laughs). ... and he said, 'You know what, I need you back.' That's why I made my decision. EC: Anytime anything is talked about in Oakland, it kind of doesn't happen. We started ..."

Giambi shifts toward defense

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March 30

San Francisco Chronicle

"So far this spring, Jason Giambi has showed a lot of defense and not much offense, sort of the opposite of his reputation. Giambi hasn't played first base all that much since leaving the A's after the 2001 season. Daily work there this spring has left him a little sore on occasion, but he looks as if he will have no trouble being the regular there. At the plate, though, Giambi is in an 0-for-20 funk. He's not concerned about it because, he said, he has been working on several things, especially with teams playing him in a shift. He's getting pounded inside as a result, but he doesn't want to change his approach. "I'm sure the shift sucks up a few hits, but I'm here to get on base, drive in ..."

Homecomings for Ken Griffey Jr. and Jason Giambi

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February 23

New York Times

"At baseball's heart lies one simple goal: to leave home and then return. Straying's perils are instantly dispelled on contact with the place once left. Ken Griffey Jr. and Jason Giambi, having squared that circle more than 2,700 times, are rounding into more terra firma this spring. Nine years after leaving for his home of Cincinnati, Griffey is rejoining the Seattle Mariners - a franchise he breathed life into throughout the 1990s. Giambi, meanwhile, is returning to his old Oakland sandbox after seven turbulent years in New York. Their greener pastures had been more like minefields. So Griffey and Giambi exhaled a bit last week when slipping on not just their old uniforms, but a sense of ..."

Giambi talks up A*Rod at luncheon

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February 12

Contra Costa Times

"TREASURE ISLAND The Bay Area's baseball brass - minus travel-weary A's general manager Billy Beane - met with the media Wednesday at Comcast SportsNet's luncheon on Treasure Island, and, no, Manny Ramirez was not unveiled in a Giants uniform. Here are the highlights: -- Giambi on A*Rod -- Jason Giambi, settling nicely again into his role as speaker of the A's clubhouse, didn't have any shocking revelations about former Yankees teammate Alex Rodriguez. "I didn't know anything until it came out," Giambi said of Rodriguez's recent admission of steroid use. "The biggest thing is Alex did the right thing (by confessing). ... I hope he gets through this all right because he's a good friend." ..."

Giambi hopes game can move forward

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February 12

San Jose Mercury News

columnist Tim Kawakami

"Jason Giambi knew what was coming, and, it must be noted, he still showed up at Treasure Island on Wednesday. Showed up and sat in on a Comcast SportsNet baseball panel with A's owner Lew Wolff and answered questions about steroids, Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Tejada. Showed up and later waded into the media maw, with cameras rolling "... and answered questions about steroids, A-Rod and Tejada. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire never did this and probably never could imagine doing anything of the sort. It's all part of the Great Giambi Tour of General Steroid Remorse, Penance and Renewal, in which he grits his teeth, tries to smile and dreams of a quieter time. Jason, after the ..."

A giant welcome back, Jason Giambi

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January 12

San Francisco Examiner

columnist Bob Frantz

"Dear Jason, Welcome back to the Bay, G-man! You've gotta be lovin' life again! You get to grow that hair back out, and start partyin' like a rock star, rakin' like an All-Star, and ... I forget how the rest of that goes. Anyway, you gotta help me out here and answer just one question for me: How'd you do it? How'd you pull it off? Seriously, dude, you gotta let me in on the secret. Maybe you can't, if it's all about pigment, cause I can't do anything about that. But if there's something else, you gotta help me, bro. I just don't get it. I mean, we were both doing the same thing at about the same time, right? I jumped on the BALCO juice and stole a home run title; you jumped on it and stole ..."

Giambi reaches deal to reunite with A's

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January 7

MLB.com

"After splitting the first 14 years of his career with the A's, for whom he debuted in 1995, and the Yankees, with whom he signed as a free agent after the 2001 season, Jason Giambi has officially returned to Oakland. As expected, the A's on Wednesday announced that they've signed Giambi to a one-year contract with a club option for 2010. Details of the contract were not announced, but according to multiple sources, it includes a 2009 salary of between $4 million-$4.5 million, with the option worth about $5.5 million. An option buyout of $1.5 million and annual incentive packages worth up to $250,000 also are said to be part of the deal. Giambi, who turns 38 on Thursday, took a physical in ..."

Giambi Back With A's

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January 7

New York Post

"Jason Giambi is back to where it all started and hopeful he can recapture some of his former glory. Two days shy of his 38th birthday, Giambi yesterday agreed to a one-year deal with the Athletics worth $4.5 million. The contract includes an option for 2010 at $5 million with a $1 million buyout. The deal is pending a physical scheduled for today. Giambi did not receive much interest in the free-agent market. The A's and Rays were the two teams considering signing him, but Tampa Bay signed ex-Phillie Pat Burrell on Monday to a two-year, $16 million contract. So Giambi's decision to return to Oakland was not a difficult one. He played the first seven years of his career with the A's ..."

A's-Giambi reunion pending physical

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January 6

MLB.com

"Jason Giambi's Oakland homecoming is a done deal, only a physical away from becoming official. Tying a bow around day-long reports that the free-agent first baseman and the A's were nearing an agreement, the New York Post reported Tuesday night that the two have signed off on a one-year contract with a 2010 club option. Giambi is scheduled to undergo the physical on Wednesday, the last step before the reunion becomes official. Confirming details reported earlier, the Post pegged Giambi's 2009 salary at $3.5 million, with the $5 million option for next season carrying a $1 million buyout. Giambi broke into the Majors in 1995 with Oakland under the wing of incumbent first baseman Mark ..."

Giambi, A's close to deal

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January 6

San Francisco Chronicle

"The A's on Monday announced they have a new radio home, but within the next few days, they could make far bigger news: The team nearly has former Oakland first baseman Jason Giambi back in the fold. A team source said Monday that the A's are moving toward completing a deal with the free-agent designated hitter, who came to the big leagues with Oakland and won the AL MVP award while with the A's in 2000. A major-league source said there's widespread belief that a package already is in place and that an announcement could be imminent. Oakland's top competition for Giambi, Tampa Bay, signed DH/outfielder Pat Burrell on Monday and the Rays' top brass indicated it no longer would pursue any ..."

Griffey would like to play for Rays

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January 5

San Francisco Chronicle

"Five teams have shown interest in outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., agent Brian Goldberg told SI.com. According to Goldberg, three American League teams and two NL teams have expressed some level of interest. The Mariners and Rays are known to be two of the AL teams eyeing Griffey, who'd like to play at least one more season. A friend of Griffey's said that the power-hitter would love to play for Tampa Bay, which is less than two hours from his Orlando home. The Rays are looking for hitters, and though Griffey's on their list, other younger players, such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, and perhaps Jason Giambi or Garrett Anderson might be higher on it. Griffey had his left knee drained three times ..."

Giambi Meets With Friedman, Maddon

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December 10

Tampa Tribune

"Much of the buzz around Jason Giambi this week has had him returning to Oakland, but the Rays obviously don't think that's the case. And Giambi's decision to have dinner with Andrew Friedman and Joe Maddon late Monday night would seem to validate it. "I can't imagine [Giambi to Oakland is] done, or I don't think they would have wasted their time or our time," Friedman said today. "I don't know how it's going to play out." What is clear is the mutual interest. As with the Rays' meeting with Milton Bradley earlier yesterday, Friedman characterized it as a get-to-know-you session. The Rays obviously have seen plenty of Giambi the last few years and like his makeup as a hitter. He would fit in ..."

Tampa Bay Rays meet with free-agent slugger Giambi

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December 10

St. Petersburg Times

"The Rays know about the power, on-base percentage and clubhouse presence Jason Giambi could add to their team. They got a sense of his personality and flair during a late-night dinner Monday at the trendy N9NE Steakhouse, including manager Joe Maddon being summoned to the kitchen for a photo with celebrity chef Barry Dakake and Giambi. "I've always been a fan of his," Maddon said. "I just like the zeal with which he plays the game. I know from other people he's a great teammate, not just a good teammate, and he's still got a lot left in the tank. … He's the kind of guy that makes everybody better that's around him." Giambi, 37, was the second free-agent hitter the Rays held a get-to-know ..."

Giambi's, Pavano's option declined

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November 4

MLB.com

"In a pair of paperwork decisions that were anticipated for months, the Yankees declined their 2009 options on first baseman Jason Giambi and right-hander Carl Pavano on Tuesday, officially making both players free agents. The 37-year-old Giambi completed his seventh season in New York, batting .247 with 19 doubles, 32 home runs and 96 RBIs in 145 games. The Yankees held a $22 million option for 2009 on Giambi's original seven-year, $120 million contract signed before the 2002 season, buying him out instead for $5 million. Remaining healthy and on the field, Giambi exceeded expectations by making 112 starts at first base, ranking second on the club in home runs and recording his eighth ..."

Giambi Wants To Remain With Yankees

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September 26

New York Post

"The Yankees haven't made Jason Giambi an offer, but according to the first baseman, they have been asking what he wants to do next year. "I talked to Cash (GM Brian Cashman), and he asked me if I was interested (in returning) and I said I was definitely interested," Giambi said before the Yankees' 8-2 loss to the Blue Jays last night at Rogers Centre. "He said, 'Do you think you want to go to the West Coast.' I told him I enjoyed winning and playing on good baseball teams." Having Giambi back doesn't fit with the Yankees' need to get younger and more athletic. He will be 38 in January and his "Dancing Bear" nickname tells you about his lack of nimbleness that forces him to run the bases ..."

Yanks Not Ruling Out Giambi Return

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September 23

New York Post

"Early yesterday morning Jason Giambi stood in the middle of the clubhouse and understood there was a chance he had played his final game at Yankee Stadium and in pinstripes. "I have had an unbelievable seven years," Giambi said. "The first couple of years I did real well and then I was the Comeback Player of the Year. And I got to play with Derek Jeter." While Giambi may have sounded like he was putting seven high-wire years in the past, the Yankees haven't ruled out bringing back the man with many nicknames (Big G, Dancing Bear, Big Sexy), a productive bat and no enemies. "I wouldn't say that," GM Brian Cashman said when asked if the door was closed on Giambi, who will become a free agent ..."

Giambi's legacy with Yankees? Generosity

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September 17

Newsday

columnist Ken Davidoff

"It could be that Jason Giambi's finest hour as a Yankee didn't occur on the field, or in the dugout, or in front of a grand jury in San Francisco. No, Giambi, whose colorful Yankees tenure is very likely coming to an end after seven memorable seasons, arguably shined the brightest in a back room of the Yankees' clubhouse, in the fall of 2003. The Yankees were holding their "shares meeting," when the players who have been on the club for the entire season convene and decide how to divvy up the bonus given out by the commissioner's office to the 12 teams that finish in first and second place. Votes are taken on players who spent only a portion of the season with the club, as well as support ..."

Jason Loses Bout With Bathroom Door

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September 4

New York Post

"Jason Giambi wishes he had a sexier story to explain the gash on the corner of his right eyelid that cause discoloring and swelling. "I would like to have something to tell you, something like a fight or anything else," Giambi said. "But it was nothing like that. I walked into the bathroom door at the hotel and split it open." The cut resembled a gash a boxer would get during a fight, but didn't keep Giambi out of the lineup. "There was so much blood the maid probably was wondering where the body was hid," said Giambi, whose third-inning double hiked his RBI total across the past seven games to nine and marked the seventh straight game he has plated at least one run."

Giambi Is A No-Go On Throw

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August 27

New York Post

"You snooze, you lose. Or maybe Jason Giambi really was awake and just afraid a throw home might produce an uglier result than holding the ball. Whatever the case, Giambi helped gift-wrap a run for the Red Sox in the fifth inning last night - one more reason, along with an awful performance by Alex Rodriguez, why the Yankees resembled a bunch of bozos in their 7-3 loss to Boston. With runners on second and third and two outs in the fifth, Jeff Bailey hit a grounder that struck third base, but popped into Rodriguez's glove. Rodriguez's throw to first was late, and Giambi watched as Coco Crisp raced across the plate behind Jed Lowrie. "[The throw] skipped off the grass and I couldn't get a ..."

Pettitte, Giambi excel, but are they clean?

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July 21

Newsday

columnist Wallace Matthews

"Taken at face value, this should be a heartwarming story, a tale of twin redemptions for Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi. One suffered through an offseason of embarrassment, the other muddled through an April of abasement. Both came through in a big way in yesterday's 2-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium...It was a win to remember, to be sure. But was it a win to be proud of? Was it real? Was it clean? Those are the questions you'd rather not have to wrestle with, but considering the players involved and their well-publicized history, they refuse to go away."

The Duke can't duck Giambi

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July 21

San Francisco Chronicle

"Jason Giambi's success rate against Justin Duchscherer trumped the A's scanty offense and tilted the game the Yankees' way Sunday. Justin Duchscherer did his usual trick of allowing no more than two runs, but the A's All-Star still lost in Oakland's final regular-season game ever at Yankee Stadium. New York completed a three-game sweep by topping the A's 2-1, and Giambi turned in the winning blow against Duchscherer, his personal home run-ATM. Oakland has dropped five games in a row for the first time since September, and the team has fallen nine games behind the Angels in the AL West."

Giambi Has Ace's Number

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July 21

New York Post

"All-Star Justin Duchscherer came into Yankee Stadium yesterday leading the majors in ERA. Jason Giambi, though, continued to clobber him. Giambi's go-ahead solo homer off Duchscherer in the sixth inning was critical, lifting the Yankees to a 2-1 lead over the A's, a score they'd eventually win by. It was also another degree of success for Giambi against Duchscherer. The way Alex Rodriguez mashes Bartolo Colon and Shawn Green used to dominate John Smoltz, Giambi basically owns the Oakland righty. With yesterday's homer, Giambi is now 6-for-8 with four homers against Duchscherer in his career. Two of the homers have come this season, including one on June 11."

Cheers for Giambi, but Silence for Bonds

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July 12

New York Times

"Barry Bonds must be kicking himself. As he watches Jason Giambi morph from pariah to hero, being feted with mustache day at Yankee Stadium in support of a failed All-Star candidacy, Bonds has to be thinking, â??You mean, all I had to do was say I did it.â?"

Despite 'stache, Jason Giambi's no All-Star this season

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July 11

New York Daily News

"Giambi lost out to Evan Longoria, the Rays third baseman who won the fan vote for the final spot on the American League roster. White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye finished second, with Giambi coming in third ahead of Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts and Royals outfielder Jose Guillen."

Giambi Growth Grows On Fans

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July 10

New York Post

"The mustache might not get Jason Giambi to the All-Star Game and it certainly won't win him any beauty contests, but it has taken on a life of its own. "I grew it a few years ago, the fans weren't ready for it," Giambi said before the Yankees won their fourth straight with a 2-1, 10-inning victory in The Bronx. Now, evidently, they are. The first 20,000 fans who arrived at the Stadium received fake mustaches, and various employees also donned the ridiculous looking imitation facial hair - including Joe Girardi in his postgame session with the media."

Hair Ye, Hair Ye! Vote For Jason!

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July 8

New York Post

"It's not quite on the level of Hillary Clinton endorsing Barack Obama, but Jason Giambi's candidacy for the AL All-Star squad received a boost yesterday. From the American Mustache Institute. "It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that Jason Giambi's hitting prowess plus a fashionable mustache equals a bona fide All-Star," Aaron Perlut, the AMI's executive director, said yesterday in a release issued by the Yankees."

With a Few Powerful Swings, Giambi Turns His Season Around

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June 29

New York Times

"Jason Giambi insisted he was not thinking about the possibility of making the American League All-Star team. Giambi moved his head from side to side and widened his eyes to punctuate his point. Really, Giambi said and tried to show, it is something he has not pondered. But, once the subject was broached and once Giambi was asked how it would feel to complete his resurrection from a seemingly spent slugger to an All-Star again, he embraced the idea. If Giambi truly has not thought about the game, he definitely did after he was quizzed about being at Yankee Stadium on July 15. "That would be awesome," said Giambi, the Yankees' first baseman. "That would be cool.""