Sports

HITTING THE SPOT – GIAMBI GETS COMFY WITH ROLE AS DH

CLEVELAND – Jason Giambi still packs his first baseman’s gloves. And you can find Giambi fielding grounders around the bag during batting practice.

But for three hours a night when the games are played, Giambi’s leather rests in his locker.

Quietly, Giambi has morphed into a full-time designated hitter. And after years of proving he was a better hitter while playing the field, Giambi is thriving as a DH.

“I have learned a few things, like hitting off the batting tee and to move around while not trying to sit down,” Giambi said of killing the time when the Yankees are in the field. “But for the most part, I am in a good spot mentally hitting. I am getting good pitches to hit and I am not missing them or fouling them off.” Last night at Jacobs Field against the Indians, Giambi started his eighth straight game as the DH while Andy Phillips played first base. In those seven games, Giambi batted .320 (8-for-25) with five homers and nine RBIs.

Giambi has started 44 games at first base and 29 as the DH. He is batting .275 (39-for-142) with 13 homers and 35 RBIs as a first baseman and .271 (26-for-96) with 11 homers and 28 RBIs as a DH.

“I still take my grounders and get my work in case,” Giambi says of his pregame routine.

Giambi’s last start at first base was June 25.

“What I have learned to do is keep my sweatshirt on,” Giambi said of staying ready as the DH. “I don’t want to lose the sweat I build up. I don’t want to cool down too much.” With Torre liking the way Phillips is swinging the bat and Phillips have a better arm and more range, Giambi is likely to remain the DH. Especially if he continues to hit the way he has.