Giambi hasn’t played since July 19 because of a strained quad, but his agent says he is healthy. According to the linked article, Giambi will play for Triple-A Colorado Springs before getting called up to the big club when the rosters expand on Sept. 1.
Giambi hit .193/.332/.364 with 11 home runs and 40 RBI in 328 plate appearances for Oakland this season.
According to The New York Times, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are on the infamous 2003 list of failed drug tests.
Oh happy day! I was giddy when Ramirez tested positive earlier this year, and I'm even giddier right now.
This is bad for baseball, sure. It's bad that they cheated and it's bad that the names have been leaked by lawyers cherry picking the most popular players.
However, in terms of the New York/Boston rivalry, this is great. After hearing all of the "steroids" chants at Alex Rodriguez and Jason Giambi, Yankees fans finally have some fodder as well.
This all said, release the entire list. From the potential Hall of Famers to the utility infielders, all of the names must be released.
Jason Giambi (OAK) – 31-146 (.212/.346/.356), 5 HR (hit 400th career home run on May 23), 22 RBI, 6 2B, 25 R, 27 BB, 32 K
Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 47-152 (.309/.414/.408), HR (hit first of the season on May 26), 19 RBI, 8 2B, 2 3B, 20 R, 28 BB, 18 K
Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 9-42 (.214/.283/.333), 3 RBI, 5 2B, 2 R, 4 BB, 13 K
Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 35-135 (.259/.303/.452), 5 HR, 21 RBI, 7 2B, 2 3B, 15 R, 8 BB, 33 K
Carl Pavano (CLE) – 5-4, 5.50 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 66 H, 34 R, 34 ER, 6 HR, 13 BB, 46 K
Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 1-3, 1 BSV, 3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 17 IP, 15 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 HR, 4 BB, 17 K
AP Photo
This was a game the Yankees should have won. However, I’d be crazy not to take an 8-2 homestand.
Mark Teixeira’s double play in the 10th inning is very bothersome, especially after Robinson Cano was mysteriously taken out of the game for a pinch runner in the ninth inning. In a game that close, you can’t take out your No. 5 hitter, especially when the bench is as terrible as it is.
The Yankees used to do this all the time with Jason Giambi. Cano isn’t even that slow.
Oh well. Three games in Texas and then four more in Cleveland are up next. There is a day off in between the two series.
![ph_114739[20]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5KO4Tn0YFJWXkUYvX7nuLAknSiH_spr04ERlLaNfMj3LA-1NHxzaVKTTT6NPHLJMZ8t0nDoYwxJS268MBZLwYIRaBBh8WYnvJqpt_-JHeuij8BRi941f4mvFeULeSJjGfcZJLPpq5hI/s1600-h/ph_114739%5B20%5D%5B6%5D.jpg "ph_114739[20]")
Jason Giambi (OAK) – 20-for-96 (.208/.345/.344), 3 HR, 13 RBI, 4 2B, 17 R, 16 BB, 22 K
Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 34-for-110 (.309/.389/.355), 0 HR, 12 RBI, 5 2B, 10 R, 15 BB, 17 K
Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 9-for-31 (.290/.333/.452), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5 2B, 2 BB, 11 K
Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 27-for-99 (.273/.318/.495), 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 2B, 2 3B, 6 BB, 22 K
Carl Pavano (CLE) – 2-3, 6.61 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 31.1 IP, 40 H, 23 R, 23 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 23 K
Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 0-3, 1 BSV, 6.10 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 10.1 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 10 K
Jason Giambi makes his return to the Bronx tonight (weather permitting). I assume he’ll get a very nice hand from what I assume will be a sparsely-populated crowd. Giambi is batting .227 with five RBI and five runs scored.
I was unable to watch yesterday’s game because I had to work on school newspaper stuff, so that explains the lack of a recap.
For those keeping score at home, the Yankees have yet to have an attendance of more than 49,000. Yesterday’s paid crowd was 43,068. I wouldn’t be shocked if today’s is in the 30,000s.
The Yankees have won 11 straight home openers dating back to 1998. Their last loss came on April 11, 1997 against Oakland when they fell 3-1.
David Cone, who will take part in the pregame ceremonies today, struck out 12 in seven shutout innings and left with a 1-0 lead. However, Mariano Rivera blew that lead in the ninth, surrendering a leadoff home run to Mark McGwire. They would go on to lose in the 12th inning, when Jeff Nelson, who had already pitched two innings, gave up two runs. Ironically enough, Scott Brosius drove in Oakland’s second run in that inning.
And even more ironic, Jason Giambi played left field for the A’s, going 1-for-4 with a walk.
The 11-game winning streak for home openers is a major league record, according to Elias. The Yankees’ victory last year broke a tie with the 1945-54 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Some other interesting nuggets from today’s game notes:
Yogi Berra is throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the seventh time in a home opener, and is one of eight former Yankees to have such an honor. Only Joe DiMaggio (nine) has thrown more first pitches.
Derek Jeter was the last Yankee to bat at Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21. He is scheduled to bat leadoff today. Jeter and three others (Johnny Damon, Robinson Cano and Hideki Matsui) were in the lineup for the final game at Yankee Stadium last season and will be in the lineup today.
The Yankees defeated Boston on April 18, 1923 4-1, winning the first home opener in Yankee Stadium. They defeated Minnesota on April 15, 1976 to win the first home opener in the remodeled Yankee Stadium.
The Empire State Building will be lit up blue and white in honor of today’s game.
This is the first time since 2000 (Comerica Park in Detroit) that a new park will be opened in the American League. Nine National League teams have opened stadiums during that span.
Yankees lineup in 1923:
Whitey Witt – CF
Joe Dugan – 3B
Babe Ruth – RF
Wally Pipp – 1B
Bob Meusel – LF
Wally Schang – C
Aaron Ward – 2B
Everett Scott – SS
Bob Shawkey – RHP
The Yankees were 4,133-2,430-17 in the original Yankee Stadium.
Jason Giambi (OAK) – 9-for-30 (.300/.432/.367), 5 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K
Really, a SLG lower than OBP?
Bobby Abreu (LAA) – 9-for-29 (.310/.344/.345), 1 R, 2B, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, 2 SB
Wilson Betemit (CWS) – 1-for-5 (.200/.333/.400), 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 K
Ivan Rodriguez (HOU) – 5-for-23 (.217/.250/.391), 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K
Carl Pavano (CLE) – 0-2, 16.71 ERA, 2.43 WHIP, 7 IP, 14 H, 13 R, 13 ER, 3 HR, 3 BB, 9 K (Thanks, V!)
Kyle Farnsworth (KC) – 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 HR, 1 BB, 4 K
Did anyone see what happened in the White Sox/Royals game?
SI's Jeff Pearlman is releasing a book titled "The Rocket that Fell to Earth," obviously about Roger Clemens. However, there is an anecdote about Brian Cashman and Jason Giambi that has angered the Yankees' GM. Take a look:
The book said that when Giambi went through a slump in the 2002 season, his first with the Yankees, Cashman was heard yelling at a television in the Yankees’ clubhouse during a game. Citing “one New York player,” the book said that Cashman screamed, “Jason, whatever you were taking in Oakland,” get back on it.As an (aspiring) journalist, I hope that Pearlman did his homework here. I wouldn't be surprised if this story turned out to be true, but there's really no way to prove anything here. It's still an interesting revelation.
The book said that Cashman then added, “Please!”
In a telephone interview Thursday night, Cashman said that the anecdote described in the book never happened.
“That is completely false,” Cashman said.
He added, in reference to the author: “This guy never even called me and asked me if it was true. You think he would have done some fact-checking.”
...
“The source was a Yankee player who was an eyewitness and in whom I have 100 percent confidence,” Pearlman said.
But he acknowledged that he should have called Cashman for his reaction. “He’s totally right,” Pearlman said. “I didn’t call him for comment and I should have.
“But that doesn’t mean the story isn’t correct.”
This reminds me of the Braves thinking they still have Mark Teixeira.
Pitchers and catchers report tomorrow!
AP Photo
From Nathaniel Vinton and Christian Red:
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig came out roaring Wednesday, putting Alex Rodriguez on notice that the Yankee third baseman's admitted performance-enhancing drug use may not go unpunished.Well this is just a little ridiculous, isn't it? Jason Giambi wasn't suspended.
In an interview with USA Today, Selig was asked if he would consider suspending the three-time American League MVP after Rodriguez told ESPN on Monday that he had juiced from 2001 through 2003 when he played for the Rangers.
"It was against the law, so I would have to think about that," Selig told the paper. "It's very hard. I've got to think about all that kind of stuff."
But Selig's remarks may be more bark than bite. Baseball conducted survey testing during 2003 - when Rodriguez won his first MVP award - but there were no punishments for players who tested positive. In 2001 and 2002, there was no drug-testing program in place. It was during 2004 when players were first subject to possible penalties if they tested positive for banned substances.
"He's open to everything. That doesn't mean he can do everything. He's keeping all options open," MLB spokesman Rich Levin told the Daily News, referring to Selig.
Even though he played with the A's for seven years, it still is weird seeing him wear that jersey. Good luck in your new (old) home, Jason Giambi. You and your antics will be missed in New York.
AP Photo
Benjamin Hoffman wrote a piece on the Times' Bats blog saying Jason Giambi lived up to expectations.
Hoffman writes:
What that is failing to account for is that Giambi actually did exactly what the Yankees signed him to do. As the face of the Oakland Athletics, Giambi embodied the spirit of patience and power that was lionized in Michael Lewis’s book “Moneyball.” Relying on his ability to draw walks and hit balls over the fence, Giambi won the 2000 American League M.V.P. and was the runner-up in 2001. At that point, no one was complaining about his defense, which was already sub-par.I loved Giambi during his time here. He's a very likable figure and he seems to have a lot of fun playing the game. However, I don't think he lived up to expectations just because he's in the all-time top 10 of many Yankees offensive categories.
Over the course of his seven years in New York, Giambi continued to do exactly the same thing. He compiled a .404 on-base percentage (fifth in Yankees history), .521 slugging percentage (seventh in Yankees history) and 209 homers (10th in Yankees history).
Making his home run total more impressive is the fact that he accomplished it in just seven seasons. Of all the storied sluggers in Yankee history, the only players who had that many over a seven-year span were Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle and Babe Ruth.
In the end, his various controversies and his poor fielding may outweigh his power and patience, but Giambi did what he was asked to do. Likely headed back to Oakland, he should go back to being celebrated for his strengths rather than blamed for his weaknesses.
Mark Teixeira just finished speaking at the podium and is officially a Yankee. For those who couldn't watch, he will wear No. 25. I doubt there will be the same backlash there was when LaTroy Hawkins wore No. 21 for a time last year.
Teixeira appeared very excited and happy to be there. Michael Kay made a point of saying some acquisitions seem lost at these press conferences, but Teixeira took everything in stride and had a big smile on his face while doing so.
I really, really can't wait for this season to begin.
Meanwhile, the old No. 25, Jason Giambi, has agreed to a one-year deal with his old team. His contract with the Oakland A's is for $4.5 million and has a $5 million option for 2010 ($1 million buyout).
With the latest signing, the Yankees have spent $243.5 million this off-season on two contracts, both belonging to pitchers. While the pitching was bad last year, hitting was also an issue. The Yankees scored almost 200 less runs in 2008 than they did the previous year.
As it stands, two players who scored 168 of those runs last year will be gone. Those two players, of course, are Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu.
At 34, Abreu hit .296/.371/.471 with 20 home runs, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored in 684 plate appearances. Giambi hit .247 with 32 home runs and 96 RBI. Both players had an OPS over .800.
Earlier this off-season, the Yankees refused to offer both arbitration, even though Abreu had Type A free-agent status, meaning they won't get two draft picks if he signs elsewhere.
The question is, should the Yankees think about bringing back Abreu or Giambi? The outfield and DH spots are congested, so there may not be room, but the Yankees need a bat. The lineup is lacking as of now.
Despite spending all of that money already, the Yankees have a lot of to play around with.
I hope Brian Cashman is thinking here, because I don't think Nick Swisher and (possibly) Mike Cameron will cut it. It's great that the rotation has been upgraded, but there are two sides to the game of baseball.
By the way, Mark Teixeira is still available. Imagine the uproar around baseball if the Yankees sign him to go along with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett? There is money to be spent...
According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Carl Pavano met with the Marlins, and his agent Tom O'Connell feels the conversations went "well." Pavano, as you may remember, pitched for the Marlins before signing a four-year deal with the Yankees.
O'Connell said "quite a few teams" are interested in Pavano, including the Red Sox. As you also may remember, Pavano was drafted by the Red Sox before being sent to the Montreal Expos as part of the Pedro Martinez trade.
On the Jason Giambi front - Giambi had dinner with the Rays last night, and Andrew Friedman, the Rays' executive vice president of baseball operations, said both sides are interested.
Bryan Hoch cites a New York Post report saying Yankees executives met with Ben Sheets late this afternoon. Sheets didn't arrive in Las Vegas until earlier today, so this makes sense. Sheets, 30, went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings last season.
Also, Ken Rosenthal reports Jason Giambi has told friends he expects to sign with the Oakland A's. The A's, however, have Giambi "way down on its list of priorities," according to Rosenthal's major-league source.
With Andy Pettitte and Bobby Abreu being Type A free agents, the Yankees could have received drafts picks if they offered them arbitration and they signed elsewhere. However, they didn't offer them arbitration. They also didn't offer arbitration to retired pitcher Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi and the rest of their free agents.
This doesn't mean that Pettitte and Abreu are done with the Yankees. Previously, if you didn't offer arbitration to a free agent, you couldn't sign them to a deal until May 1. However, that rule changed, and "we'll stay engaged with the entire free agent market including those two players," Brian Cashman said.
"We did not want to put ourselves in the position of having that determined by a third party without knowing what that figure would be. The arbitration time period falls in early February, so obviously as we attempt to put this team together, in Andy's case and in Bobby's case, they made $16 million a year. It's been tough in the past to try and deviate from previous years' earnings in an arbitration setting.Can't argue with that. Abreu put up great numbers last year (.296, 20 HR, 100 RBI), but at the age of 34, I can't really justify paying him $16 million again. And Pettitte was awful last year, so he certainly doesn't deserve another figure close to $16 million. This is certainly setting the organization up for a big push in terms of the free agent market, but losing the potential draft picks could be a little disconcerting a few years down the road.
Those who are frequent attendees of games at the old Yankee Stadium will notice that the Yankees tend to play the same songs over and over again. With the help of my friend Charlie, I've compiled a list (and accompanying audio/video) of those songs that you love to hate.
1. Nelly - Heart of a Champion
Ah, the track from the St. Louis rapper that samples the famous NBA on NBC theme song "Roundball Rock." The Yankees played this song early during the game experience, usually as the background music to the team's video montage. I don't know about you, but this song pumps me up.
2. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again
The synthesizer beginning to this epic song gets the crowd in the mood for some Yankees baseball. Before the lyrics start, the music fades into track No. 3. Parts of this song are also used when a Yankee hits a home run. YEEEEEEAHHHHHH!
3. 2 Unlimited - Get Ready for This
Get ready for Derek Jeter and friends warming up! The Yankees use the beginning of another 2 Unlimited song, "Workaholic," when they score a run.
4. Scorpions - The Zoo
You know recently retired Mike Mussina is starting when you hear this song blaring.
5. Star Wars - Imperial March
This song plays when the opposing lineup is announced, followed by Yosemite Sam playing the role of umpire on the Diamondvision screen.
6. Aerosmith - Walk this Way
Lucky for you, Johnny Damon led off the game with a walk! Get ready to hear this as he's strolling down the first base line.
7. R. Kelly featuring T.I. & T-Pain - I'm a Flirt
Following Damon, of course, is Jeter. He's gone through many walk-up songs, but this is one of his most recent songs.
8. Jay-Z & Linkin Park - Numb/Encore
Alex Rodriguez is pretty consistent with his music, rarely having more than one walk-up song per year. Rodriguez used this mash-up for most of the 2005 and 2006 seasons, I believe.
9. Mims - This is Why I'm Hot
Rodriguez used this song for his 2007 MVP season, and part of the 2008 season. With how he performed in 2007, this song was rather apropot.
10. NWO - Wolfpack Theme
Jason Giambi always used this song for his first at-bat of the game. The howling wolf signaled Yankees fans to Giambi's arrival in the box. Don't turn your back on the Wolfpack!
11. AC/DC - T.N.T.
For some reason, Hideki Matsui uses this song to come up to bat.
12. Pearl Jam - Better Man
Like what I wrote in No. 11, for some reason, Wilson Betemit walked up to this song. While I get the whole "bet-" parallel, Betemit probably has no idea who Pearl Jam is.
13. Village People - Y.M.C.A.
Love it or hate it, the ground's crew has been doing the hand signals for "Y.M.C.A." since 1996 at the end of the fifth inning. I can't see them stopping anytime soon.
14. Kate Smith - God Bless America
So the game's moving along just fine. All of a sudden, instead of hearing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," fans are treated to the sweet sounds of prerecorded Smith wonderfulness. Now, I'm as big a patriot as the next guy, but can this song please go with the old Stadium? It's fine to do it during holidays and playoff games, but playing it every game kind of cheapens the meaning, no? And YES showing it all the time doesn't help matters, either.
15. Rednex - Cotton Eye Joe
I haven't met one person who likes this song. Yes, it's fun to dance to at the occasional Bar Mitzvah or wedding, but that's once in a blue moon. After each and every game, it gets annoying. Remember when they used to say the dancing intern wearing the straw hat was on the Intrepid or at the U.S. Open? It was obvious he was still in the control room. At least they stopped trying to fool us there. I hope this is another tradition that dies with the old Stadium.
16. Ram Jam - Black Betty
This is played usually when the Yankees are rallying and the pitching coach comes onto the field for a conference on the mound.
17. Andrea Bocelli - Time to Say Goodbye
This is played when an opposing pitcher is taken out of the game. I'll give the Yankees credit for this one. It's a lot more original than playing "Hit the Road Jack."
18. The Who - Baba O'Riley
The Yankees love playing The Who. They would sneak this in as Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez and, most recently, Giambi came up in clutch situations. It always made for a nice moment.
19. Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil
When Joba Chamberlain was a reliever, he'd run out to this song in the eighth inning, exciting the crowd. I never went to a game with him as a starter, so I'm not sure if he still used this.
20. Metallica - Enter Sandman
A Yankee Stadium staple. When Mariano Rivera runs out to this song, the Stadium stands, cheers and screams. I like to make fun of Yankee Stadium's music selection, but this is always a cool moment, and I regularly get chills.
21. Liza Minelli - Theme from New York, New York
Sorry for posting this version, but I have to. The Yankees used to play Minelli's version of this song after losses, which made me doubly angry - at the loss and the fact that I'd have to hear this version. Luckily, they have stopped torturing Yankees fans, and have exclusively played No. 22 after each and every game.
22. Frank Sinatra - Theme from New York, New York
Ol' Blue Eyes recorded his version of the song two years after Minelli, saving Yankees fans from torture. Thank you, Mr. Sinatra.
Subscribe to full content: RSS Feed
Follow Scott Proctor's Arm on Twitter
Scott Proctor's Arm on Facebook
