Yesterday, while you were at home observing Presidents’ Day under a mountain of blankets, former Indians player Jason Giambi was making news, sort of.
In an statement released to the New York Daily News, Giambi announced his decision to retire after twenty seasons in the major leagues, the last two of which were as a member of the Cleveland Indians. Before joining the Indians in 2013, Giambi, 44, played for the Oakland A’s, the New York Yankees, and the Colorado Rockies.
Giambi’s final season was a disappointing one, for him and for the Indians. Through June 11 of 2014, he appeared in only 15 games, batting an anemic .128 with two homers before injuring his right knee and going on the 60-day disabled list. He was reactivated in September, but managed only two hits in 13 at-bats.
But of course Giambi will forever have a place in the hearts of Indians fans for his pinch-hitting heroics in the 2013 season, including what is probably the biggest at-bat in recent Indians history. Down 4-3 to the White Sox with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Giambi drove the ball over the right field wall for a two-run homer, giving the Indians their fifth consecutive win. They would go on to win five more before losing the wild card playoff game.
Highly valued by Indians manager Terry Francona as the quintessential Good Clubhouse Guy, Giambi will have a job with the Indians organization, as a batting instructor or coach, if he decides he wants one. For now at least, he intends to enjoy some time with his family before deciding what his future holds.