Jason Giambi was batting seventh and serving as the designated hitter last night for the Indians against the Yankees. But if things had worked out differently this offseason, he wouldn’t have been in a lineup at all — he would be responsible for making them.
Giambi, who spent the past four seasons with the Rockies, interviewed for their managerial position that ultimately went to Walt Weiss. Still, Giambi said it was a great opportunity and he hopes to one day get that chance.
“It was a dream come true, to have that opportunity while I was still playing the game and even to be thought of in that light is a very gracious feeling,” said Giambi, who went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and a walk in the Indians’ 4-3 loss to the Yankees Tuesday night at the Stadium. “It opened up my eyes to a whole [different situation] to be on that side of the room instead of this side of the room. It was a great learning experience.”
Giambi received an offer to be the Rockies’ hitting coach, but chose instead to sign a one-year, minor-league deal with the Indians, and did enough in spring training to make the Opening Day roster. Manager Terry Francona was thrilled to have Giambi in the lineup and in the clubhouse.
“This guy is not a veteran, he is the veteran,” Francona said before the game. “I have never been around somebody like Giambi before. Everybody talks about how good he is for the young kids. He is good for me. I’ve leaned on him, I think everybody has leaned on him.”
At 42, Giambi has shown he still has something left in the tank. He started off the season slow, but entering last night, was 5-for-9 over his last three games with a home run in each game. His performance has been an added bonus for the Indians and Francona, who value him in the locker room.
“And then when he steps in the batter’s box, he still has the ability to change the game,” Francona said. “But even when he is not in the batter’s box he can change the game. That’s a pretty special person.”
While he is still playing, Giambi has thought about what kind of manager he would be when his playing career does finally come to an end.
“We’d have fun. We’d have a loose clubhouse,” Giambi said. “I know there is enough pressure and I’ve had some incredible managers in Joe Torre, Tito [Francona] and Tony La Russa. I played for some greats of the game, so I understand the style and that kind of stuff. It would be fun. We’d have a good ballclub. We’d be able to swing the bat, that’s for sure.”
Giambi, who wore pinstripes from 2002-2008, said he was impressed with how well the Yankees have played despite injuries to many of their star players.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” he said. “What they’ve done is mind-boggling. All those guys coming over there and having the years that they have, I’m happy for Vernon [Wells] and Lyle [Overbay] and the list goes on and on with guys that kind of have that resurgence going on in their career. It’s picked the Yankees up and there’s something special when you put on that pinstripe.”