Jason Giambi, at the ripe ol’ age of 42, greeted the abnormally cool July evening with a moon-kissed solo shot in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the Indians their fifth straight win. It’s almost fitting isn’t it? Maybe even typical. A former superstar well beyond his prime finds his way to Cleveland yearning for that last shot of regular baseball action. And he found it on Monday night.
Giambi, who came via Colorado, spent parts of the early offseason interviewing for the Rockies manager position. After deciding to go with former big league shortstop Walt Weiss as skipper, Colorado offered Giambi a place on the bench – as a hitting coach. He politely declined.
And here he is, in a Tribe uniform, with his hair grayer than the ballclub’s road uniforms.
Admittedly, it’s easy to overlook Giambi’s production this year; hitting .194/.301/.411 will do that to a player. But it’s actually quite misleading, especially considering the depths that offensive production has sunk to around the major leagues this season.
Despite the sub-.200 batting average, Giambi has actually been a pleasant surprise for the team. According to Weighted Runs Created Plus, his production has been a smidgeon – 1%, actually – over the league average. His walk rate, 11.6%, ranks among the top forty hitters with 140+ plate appearances. He still hits for above-average power (six doubles, seven homeruns and an Isolated Power of .218). And his overall production against righties is slightly better too.
He’s been a lot of fun to watch as well.
There was that belly-flop-turned-headfirst-slide to first base on April 30 – with the team up by 12 runs. Or the time he decided that a stolen base attempt to third would be a wise idea, despite stealing just 20 bags in his now 19-year career. And then there was last night, a thing of beauty.
Jason Giambi, for all that’s plagued him over the past decade, is still a valuable big league player. Regardless of what his batting average may be.
For additional analysis check out Joe’s site: ProspectDigest.com
http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2013/july/hawk-harrelson-goes-silent-again-after-jason-giambi-s-walk-off-home-run-sinks-the-white-sox.html
I’m sharing the link because we talked about the homer Hawk Harrelson a few weeks ago. The site above has the audio of Hawk’s call on the Giambi homerun. Pure silence for over 30 seconds and a giant sigh. Hilarious. Right below that is a link to Hammy’s call on the play. Utter disappointment contrasted with pure jubilation. Good to be a Tribe fan
I always make sure to flip it over to WGN at the end of a Tribe/Sox game if the Indians are on the verge of winning.
Listening to the sad, depressed call of Hawk Harrelson is honestly one of my favorite pastimes, ever.
Schadenfreude is glorious.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfFrHM8uP9g
This example of “Schadenfreude” at the expense of one Kenneth “Hawk” Harrelson is my absolute favorite. Make sure to watch the ENTIRE video, as Harrelson slowly but surely builds to a rather comically violent climax.
You wouldn’t say listening to him is a favorite past time if you HAD to do it, though. Living in Iowa, the White Sox are our local market, so I have to watch him the whole game instead of on the DirecTV package.
He did throw in a nice “You have got to be bleeping me” after Brantley made that catch in the 9th.
From Indians.com:
“It also made Giambi the oldest player in Major League history to hit a walk-off homer, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. At 42 years, 202 days, Giambi is older than Hank Aaron, who previously set the record on July 11, 1976. That home run, the 754th of Aaron’s 755 career homers, came with Aaron at 42 years and 157 days old.”
“Giambi now has nine career walk-off home runs. He is one of three players to finish a game with a homer at age 42 or older. In addition to Giambi and Aaron, Tony Perez did so in 1984 (42 years, 110 days).”
That’s pretty nice company.
“A moon kissed solo shot”
Why sir, you wax (or is it wane) well nigh poetic!
Those Harrelson links are priceless,thanks guys.
And yes Schadenfreude is glorious!