3B - 1990 Alaska Goldpanners
Bats: Left - Throws: Right
Height: 6'2" - Weight: 200lb
Drafted: Milwaukee, '89, 43rd Rd., Oakland, '92, 2nd Rd.
MLB Career: 1995-Present
MLB Teams: Oakland, New York, Colorado
Jason Giambi is perhaps one of the most feared sluggers of the 2000's. A member of the 1990 Alaska Goldpanners, you might assume that Giambi led the Panners in home runs. Not so. In fact, he put up a goose-egg in that category (The team leader? Team MVP Todd Pridy, Giambi's LBSU teammate, who sent 13 over the fences.) Giambi was very successful at taking a walk, though, as he led the club by a wide margin with 41 walks in 51 games. He managed to get on base by actually swinging, too, lest you think he was a slouch at the plate. His .377 average was a Panner-best that year.
Giambi spent three years in the minors after the conclusion of his collegiate career, originally coming up through the organization as a third baseman. But when fellow slugger and #7 All-Time ABL Player Mark McGwire packed his bags and headed for St. Louis in 1996, Giambi moved across the diamond and made a career out of first base.
He immediately proved himself to be an impact player, hitting .290-some with 20 home runs the next two years as a starter. His production would steadily increase until his crowning season in 2000, where he managed to hit .333 for 43 bombs and 137 RBI's, barely eeking out an AL MVP award over another legendary slugger, Frank Thomas. That would mark the beginning of five straight All-Star appearances. Along the way he also racked up 3 40+ homer seasons, two silver sluggers, a comeback of the year award, and a reputation for his ability to take one for the team.
At 39, Giambi isn't quite through. After helping the Rockies make their successful postseason push down the stretch in 2009, Colorado is brinking Giambi back for 2010. He'll serve as the Rockies' left handed pinch hitter and backup for Todd Helton as he tries to strengthen his bid for the Hall of Fame. While not guranteed, he's got a shot at the hall, which would put him in the company of fellow former Goldpanners Tom Seaver and Dave Winfield. Not a bad bunch if you ask me.
Photo courtesy of Goldpanners.com
Every year there is "the one" who will clearly make MLB, barring injury, etc. Giambi was that in 1990... the type of go-to player who could lift an entire team -- such as in the 1990 Midnight Sun Game, where Big G went 4-for-4 with a stolen base. His younger brother was around the club then too.. great guy as well. Todd Pridy is a great mention... so many ballplayers, so many stories...
ReplyDeleteTD
What the heck man, you lambast Mcguire for his steroid use, and don't even mention Giambi's?
ReplyDeleteJust kiddin, I can't bring myself to debate steroid use anymore, I'll leave that to the idiots on TV. Anyway, I always liked Giambi, especially on the A's when he got to rock the badass mullet and beard.