Jason Giambi, Retired


Date of Birth: 1/8/1971
Birthplace: West Covina, California
College: California State University at Long Beach

Jason Giambi was a star player in high school when he was drafted in 1989 by the Milwaukee Brewers. He opted, however, to go to college. In 1992, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics and he played in their minor league system from 1992 through most of 1995, joining the Athletics for 54 games in 1995.

In 1996, his first full season in the major leagues, Giambi batted .291 with 156 hits, 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 79 RBIs. Three years later, he had his first season with a batting average over .300. In 1999, he batted .315 with a high of 181 hits in 158 games.

Giambi had a strong season in 2000, batting .333 with 170 hits, 29 doubles, a career high 43 home runs, and a career high 137 RBIs in 152 games. He won the American League MVP award that year.

Giambi again played very well in 2001, leading the American League in doubles and winning his first Silver Slugger award. He batted a career high .342 with 178 hits, a career high 47 doubles, 38 home runs, and 120 RBIs in 154 games.

In December, 2001, Giambi signed a seven-year, $120 million contract with the New York Yankees. He won his second Silver Slugger award in his first season with the Yankees. In 2002, he batted .314 with 176 hits, 34 doubles, 41 home runs, and 122 RBIs in 155 games.

Giambi suffered injuries in 2004 and spent time on the DL, playing in just 80 games with the Yankees. The following season, he won the American League Comeback Player of the Year award. In 2005, he batted .271 with 113 hits, 32 home runs, and 87 RBIs in 139 games.

In 2007, Giambi admitted to having used steroids earlier in his career. That season, he suffered injuries again and played in just 83 games with the Yankees.

Giambi became a free agent after the 2008 season and he returned to his first team, the Athletics. He did not play well in 2009 and the Athletics released him in August, 2009. At the end of the month, he signed a contract with the Colorado Rockies.

Giambi again became a free agent after the 2012 season and in February, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. In 2013, he played in 71 games and batted just .183.

In October, 2013, Giambi signed another one-year minor league contract with the Indians. He was injured during Spring training 2014 and he started the season on the DL. He finished the season with just 8 hits and a .133 batting average in 26 games.

Giambi announced his retirement from major league baseball on February 16, 2015.

Statistics for Giambi in 20 seasons (1995-2014) in the major leagues include:

  • 7 seasons with over 150 hits, with a high of 181 in 1999
  • 5 seasons with over 30 doubles, with a high of 47 in 2001
  • 11 seasons with 20 or more home runs, with a high of 43 in 2000
  • 7 seasons with over 100 RBIs, with a high of 137 in 2000
  • 4 seasons with a batting average over .300, with a high of .342 in 2001

Career batting statistics for Giambi through 2014 include:

  • 2,260 games played
  • 2,010 hits
  • 405 doubles
  • 440 home runs
  • 1,441 RBIs
  • 1,572 strikeouts to 1,366 walks
  • .277 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Giambi at first base through 2014 include:

  • 1,307 games played
  • 514 assists
  • 995 double plays
  • 10,761 putouts
  • 91 errors
  • .992 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jason Giambi
ESPN - Jason Giambi