The Cleveland Indians need to bring Jason Giambi back for the 2014 season.
Giambi, a five-time all-star, is entering his 20th Major League season. The Indians signed him to a minor-league contract, when an invitation to Spring Training during the off-season. Giambi started 54 games at DH for the Indians in 2013, batting .183 with nine home runs in 186 at bats. Indians' manager Terry Francona was thankful Giambi played an important part to the team's success.
"He brings huge leadership," Francona said. "He is very good at helping guys. He has the demeanor that guys like to come to him for help and advice."
Giambi isn't on the 40-man roster and while his experience is plentiful, he will still have to prove himself during Spring Training.
"Guys have to help us win games," Francona said to media members. "I'm concerned with evaluation of players. Sometimes you can't even do that in spring training. The older guys have history that you can fall back on and take longer to get started. We need to see them play. You have to be realistic. We're not going to ask Giambi to play three or four games in a row."
By looking at numbers alone, Giambi has had a great career. He won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2000 by batting .333 with 43 home runs and 137 runs batted in. Lifetime Giambi has hit 438 home runs and collected more than 2000 hits. However despite the great statistical success, he is far from a perfect player.
On Dec. 11th 2003, Giambi admitted to a grand jury that he used steroids during the 2003 season. The steroids he used came in multiple forms, including pills, injected liquids and creams. He apologized to Yankee fans at a press conference before the 2005 season, though didn't specifically apologize for using steroids.
"I feel I let down the fans,” said Giambi at the 2005 press conference. “I feel I let down the media. I feel I let down the Yankees."
The “apology” press conference is the worst moment of his career. It did nothing but show a man weakened by stress. He was physically and mentally confused.
Giambi's situation reminds me of former Athletics' outfielder Jose Canseco's situation. They were men tainted by steroid use and faced with the biggest challenge of their lives. Canseco decided to go against the grain and write a “tell all book” about steroid use. His book, “Juiced,” accused players such as Mark McGwire and Ivan Rodriguez of using performance enhancing drugs.
It was the younger man's version of the book “Ball Four,” written by former Yankees' pitcher Jim Bouton. Bouton suffered the backlash of writing a tell-all book, just as Canseco did. Canseco has yet to return to Major League Baseball in any matter, whether it be player, coach, scout, etc. While no official “ban” has been put of Canseco, no one will approach the former all-star for a job. Some fans wondered if Giambi would suffer the same fate; exiled out of baseball for steroid use.
They didn't have to wonder for long. Giambi came back and was more beloved than ever. He won back teammates and fans with his hard work and likeable personality. Unlike other steroid users of the era, Giambi had an open and welcoming personality. He talks baseball with everyone and is always looking to help younger players.
“Some veterans, as they get established, they kind of pull away from guys,” said Francona. “But the young players, they flock to ‘G.’ It’s part of his presence. He’s seen it all, done it all. He’s been up and he’s been down and he shares that. The young guys love him, we all do.”
Giambi has been through it all. He's known baseball at her best and worst. That's exactly why he needs to be on the roster. Not all games are won at the plate. The knowledge Giambi brings and the character he shows exceeds his steroid past. What makes Giambi different from other steroid users (like Canseco, McGwire, Alex Rodriguez, etc) is his personality. He loves baseball and helping others. That's why so many believe he'll be a manager once his playing career is over.
"With my age, it gives them the opportunity to protect a younger player," said Giambi. "I am really excited about this team. I've been lucky. I am blessed. I really love this organization. I love every minute of it."
If the Indians want to succeed in 2014, they'll need leadership. They'll need power. They'll need a heart and soul. Long story short, the Indians need Jason Giambi.
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