GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jason Giambi’s unique motto said it all: “Party like a rock star, hammer like a porn star, rake like an all-star.”
With those words who knew that a leader would be born? But Giambi is a new-age leader in every way.
He was a finalist for the Rockies managerial job that went to Walt Weiss this offseason and the Indians signed him to be a leader in their clubhouse. Maybe someday the ex-Yankees slugger might even manage his old team.
That would be great TV for YES.
“I’ve seen it all and I’ve done it all, that’s the problem,’’ said a smiling Giambi, who made headlines for noting he wore a lucky gold thong to break out of hitting slumps.
“I do hope to manage someday. I threw my hat in the ring with the Rockies and it was pretty exciting and I got down to the end.’’
“He’s not ‘a’ veteran, he’s ‘the’ veteran,’’ Indians manager Terry Francona said Wednesday. “He’s a special guy. He demands respect. When he walks in a room guys want to listen to him.
“Guys gravitate toward ‘G’ and he has a way of talking where they want to listen. He openly admits, ‘I’ve been everywhere. I’ve been at the top, the bottom.’ He doesn’t shy away from that.’’
Giambi, 42, said his love for the game pushes him to one day become a manager.
“When I went to the Rockies, I put my ego in my back pocket and became a role player and helped the young kids,’’ he said.
As for going after the Rockies’ managerial job, he noted, “I was serious from the start.’’
Giambi blew team officials away in his interviews.
“I killed it,’’ he said. “The advantage I had is that I played there four years, I knew the organization and the players inside out. I knew all the minor leaguers, too. That’s what really helped me out.’’
Now Giambi is just gaining more experience for the day he eventually does become a manager.
And maybe someday if his team goes through a losing streak he will slip on that lucky gold thong to help his team snap out of its slump.