Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘Jason Giambi’

Looking Back: Jason Giambi

Posted in Yankee Players, Yankees History, Yankees Miscellaneous, Yankees Opinion, tagged , , on March 20, 2010| 1 Comment »

Going into the 2001 offseason, most people could see the writing on the wall. Tino Martinez, a Yankee fan favorite was on his way out and Jason Giambi, the type of player George Steinbrenner loved, was on his way in. While there was really nothing that could be done from Tino’s perspective to stop this deal, it wouldn’t be the last time the Yankee fans would cheer for him. It didn’t take more than a month after the World Series for the Yankees to land their number one target as Jason signed on December 13th for 7 years and $120 million.

Coming into 2002, the expectations for Giambi were high as he had won the MVP in 2000 and was runner up in 2001. His first year as a Yankee, he did not disappoint. He hit .314 with 41 longballs and 122 RBI’s while piling up 109 free passes. Giambi also won the AL Homerun Derby, the first since Tino Martinez did in 1997. This year would be his best year as a Yankee as he would not hit over .300 again during his tenure in pinstripes and he hit over 40 homeruns one other time (2003).

In 2003, his average dropped suddenly to .250. However, he still hit 41 homeruns with 107 RBI’s and drew 129 walks. This year would be the last year he would play in 150+ games as a Yankee due to various ailments.

Due to a begnin tumor, Jason only played 80 games in 2004 for the Yankees as he missed half of July and September and all of August. During his brief time playing, he hit .208 and 12 homeruns. In late 2004, the San Francisco Chronicle leaked information regarding Giambi’s steroid use in connection to the BALCO scandal that was sweeping up the sports world.

Prior to 2005, Giambi vaguely apologized for using steroids, but he never specifically said anything about performance enhancing drugs. Regardless, in 2005, Jason won the AL Comeback Player of the Year award as he hit .271, swatted 32 homeruns, 87 RBI’s and led the league in walks with 109. In July of this year, he hit 14 homeruns which tied him with Mickey Mantle for most in a month by a Yankee. (more…)

Read Full Post »

All forgotten….?

Posted in Yankee Players, Yankees Opinion, tagged , , , , , on February 11, 2010| 8 Comments »

Do Yankee fans really care if the players on the diamond use steroids? I know a lot of you are going to say you do, but the players who have been caught seem to have been totally forgiven and everyone has moved on. Am I right?

Andy Pettitte admitted that he used HGH. Giambi admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs during his career. And Alex Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances from 2001 to 2003. Pettitte is still a fan favorite in New York and still remains a beloved Yankee. Giambi was loved by the media and was well liked by his teammates. A-Rod went from rock bottom to the top of the city in a year, and gained a lot more support from the fans after his unbelievable postseason. There’s also Roger Clemens, who we all know took banned substances but he just won’t admit it. I guess you can say he’s the only one we really haven’t forgiven because he hasn’t admitted it.

A lot of Yankee fans bring out the heat on other players for cheating the game, but when it comes to their own team..they defend them.

(more…)

Read Full Post »

Yankees Batting Order Past, Present and Future

Posted in Yankee Players, Yankees History, Yankees Miscellaneous, Yankees Outlook, Yankees Prospects, Yankees: Off the field, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 5, 2010| 2 Comments »

Stop, think back 5 years, where were you, what were you doing? I’m pretty sure if you’re over the age of 25, you’ll probably remember. Now think about your favorite baseball team, can you tell me how many people that will be in the starting lineup this year that was in 2005? I bet you can’t! It just a testament on how much this is a business and we root for a uniform more than a group of people. Yes, we have personal favorites (Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, etc al), but when it comes down to it, it’s the uniform that matters. Below, I have listed the 2005 Opening Day batting order, our projected 2010 batting order and we take a stab at the 2015 batting order. Those bolded are holdovers from previous years.

2005 Opening Day Batting Order

  1. Derek Jeter, SS
  2. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
  3. Gary Sheffield, RF
  4. Ruben Sierra, DH
  5. Hideki Matsui, LF
  6. Jorge Posada, C
  7. Jason Giambi, 1B
  8. Bernie Williams, CF
  9. Tony Womack, 2B

2010 Opening Day Batting Order (likely)

  1. Derek Jeter, SS
  2. Nick Johnson, DH
  3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
  4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
  5. Curtis Granderson, CF
  6. Jorge Posada, C
  7. Nick Swisher, RF
  8. Robinson Cano, 2B
  9. Brett Gardner, LF

2015 Opening Day Batting Order (Projected)

  1. Carl Crawford, OF
  2. Curtis Granderson, OF
  3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
  4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
  5. Jesus Montero, DH
  6. Robinson Cano, 2B
  7. Slade Heathcott, OF
  8. Austin Romine, C
  9. ???, SS

Amazing how things change or will change…

Read Full Post »

Best Yankees Years from 2000-2009

Posted in Baseball Statistics, Yankee Players, Yankees History, Yankees Miscellaneous, Yankees Opinion, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on January 4, 2010| Leave a Comment »

Now that 2009 and the decade is over (unless you’re counting challenged) we can look back and point out the years and figure out which really was the great year for certain positions. We have whipped together what we believe is the best year for each position and oddly enough Jason Giambi is the only one to appear on the list twice. If you think that someone else’s year should’ve been on here, let us know!

C – Jorge Posada (2007) .338 BA, 20 HR, 90 RBI, 171 hits, .970 OPS

1B – Jason Giambi (2002) .314 BA, 41 HR, 122 RBI, 176 hits, 109 walks, 1.034 OPS

2B – Alfonso Soriano (2002) .300 BA, 39 HR, 102 RBI, 209 hits, 51 doubles

SS – Derek Jeter (2006) .343 BA, 14 HR, 97 RBI, 214 hits, 34 SB, .900 OPS

3B – Alex Rodriguez (2007) .314 BA, 54 HR, 156 RBI, 95 walks, 24 SB, 1.067 OPS

OF – Bernie Williams (2000) .307 BA, 30 HR, 121 RBI, .957 OPS

OF – Gary Sheffield (2004) .290 BA, 36 HR, 121 RBI, 92 walks, .927 OPS

OF – Hideki Matsui (2004) .298 BA, 31 HR, 108 RBI, 88 walks, .912 OPS

DH – Jason Giambi (2006) .281 BA, 37 HR, 117 RBI, 110 walks, .971 OPS

P – Roger Clemens (2001) 20-3, 3.51 ERA, 213 K’s

P – CC Sabathia (2009) 19-8, 3.37 ERA, 197 K’s

P – Mike Mussina (2008) 20-9, 3.37 ERA, 150 K’s

CP –  Mariano Rivera (2004) 1.94 ERA, 53 Saves

Read Full Post »

Alex has some more explaining to do…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , on February 15, 2009| 2 Comments »

     Alex Rodriguez has more explaining to do. If Alex just said that he used steroids and ended the interview right there..maybe he would be in a better situation. The most important thing is that he admitted using performance enhancing drugs, but he needs to address the other issues. It could really help his image if these things are cleared up, and many fans might look at him differently. He is expected in camp this Tuesday, so expect some major headlines in the coming week.

     I know..enough about Alex! BUT..this is major news, so I have to cover it. Hopefully he addresses the other issues and it doesn’t drag on the whole season.

Here are three areas in which Rodriguez needs to explain and improve:

1. What steroid/banned substance did he take?In A-Rod’s ESPN interview he claimed not to know what it was. Yet he still somehow knew that, whatever it was, it was banned. He also speculated several times on TV about how banned substances might be available at GNC, which was nothing more than a diversionary tactic, since SI already reported he tested positive for Primobolan, a hardcore steroid. Besides, since he admitted to taking a “banned substance,” as he put it (he didn’t say steroid), he clearly knew it wasn’t accidentally ingested through a supplement.

2. How often did he taken the banned substance? This key question was missed in the ESPN interview.

3. Where did he get the banned substance?First, he needs to stop knocking GNC. Of course, if he’s merely trying to protect a teammate or friend, it would be understandable not to say. MLB never forced Jason Giambi to give up teammates when he was called into the commissioner’s office, and most folks are generally reasonable about allowing players to protect teammates and friends. But GNC doesn’t deserve this kind of unfair, unfounded pub.

———————————————————————————————————–

Good day for YES / Is Alex Rodriguez still a Hall of Famer? / Waiting on CC

Sabathia will do his part — and more / Wild Thought: A-Rod Has Great Timing

Yankees Magazine Previews “Keeper Of The Pinstripes” / Yankees Team Report

PETTITTE: I’M NOT ON MLB’S LIST AND DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHO IS

Read Full Post »

Hughes: I think there’ll be opportunities

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on February 12, 2009| Leave a Comment »

     With the Yankees recent off-season moves, the Yankees didn’t leave a spot open in the rotation for Hughes. We know that the Yankees wanted to put the best team out on the field, so it’s understandable. This year is a different year though, as Phil won’t get a guaranteed spot.

 So…what is Hughes going to do? For you guys already giving up on the kid..remember he is still 22 years old.

     Phil will start the season in Triple-A Scranton, and he will try his best to impress the Yankees. He hopes to last a full season without getting injured. He hasn’t had a lot of luck with these weird injuries, but hopefully he can turn back to form this season. Hughes may get a chance to pitch in the majors this season if any injuries occur, or if they need to skip Joba’s turn in the rotation.

     Hughes was horrible last season for the most part. He went (W-L) 0-4 with a 6.62ERA with the Yankees. Terrible..right? The way I see it is that things can only get better for him.

     Hughes is down at the Yankees minor-league complex down in Tampa, and this is what he had to say in a recent interview:

“It is what it is,” Hughes said of his situation. “It’s the Yankees and we’re going to put the best team on the field. Last year was obviously a different situation than this year. But I’ve been in spring training before where there wasn’t a spot open for me and that’s the way it goes.

“If I pitch really well in spring and I still start the year in Triple-A, there’s nothing you can do about it. You just go out and pitch well and let things fall how they will. It’s one thing to complain about the guys we signed, but on the other hand, we’ve got a pretty good team. There’s no lack of effort by the front office to put a good team on the field. I look at that as a good thing.

“I think there’ll be opportunities. You don’t often hear about guys who are lights out at Triple A and never get an opportunity. I look at it from that aspect. I don’t look at it in any sort of a bitter way or anything like that.”

“That’s not something in our minds,” GM Brian Cashman said. “There just aren’t enough quality starters in the game, in the system, to do that. You can always find relievers, but we believe Phil is a quality starting pitcher.”

Hughes added 10 pounds over the winter to get to 240 – he’s 6-5 – because he felt he was too light last season at 230. “I’m trying to keep myself where I can be durable and be able to get through a whole year,” Hughes said. “For once, right?

———————————————————————————————————–

A-Rod still has fans / Non A-Rod questions about the Yankees / Jeter in 2009

Cashman won’t get fooled again / Giambi glad A-Rod, Tejada went public

Last Year Gives Reasons for Optimism / No answers to questions — yet

Spring is here! / HOT-ROD’S HOT GALS

Read Full Post »

Selig thinking about punishing A-Rod…

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , on February 12, 2009| 1 Comment »

     These threats from Bud Selig about punishing A-Rod is a bunch of bologna. I don’t think it will happen. A-Rod claims that he used steroids from 2001-2003 with the Texas Rangers. At that time..there were no punishments for players who tested positive for PED’s. The following year, penalties would be given out if they tested positive for banned substances.

This is what Bud had to say:

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I am saddened by the revelations concerning Alex Rodriguez’s use of performance-enhancing substances. While Alex deserves credit for publicly confronting the issue, there is no valid excuse for using such substances and those who use them have shamed the game.

“What Alex did was wrong and he will have to live with the damage he has done to his name and reputation. His actions are also a reminder to everyone in baseball—under our current drug program, if you are caught using steroids and/or amphetamines, you will be punished. Since 2005, every player who has tested positive for steroids has been suspended for as much as 50 games. Eradicating performance-enhancing substances from the game of baseball has been my first priority over the past decade and it is important to remember that these recent revelations relate to pre-program activity.”

The other thing Selig said was that he was “not dismissing” re-instating his friend, Hank Aaron, as baseball’s all-time home run king, while admitting that “once you start tinkering you create more problems.”

My question is..why didn’t Bud punish Giambi & Pettitte…?

————————————

an interesting report:

Johnny Damon: I turned down steroids:

“When I was 13, somebody tried to push it on me, but since I was 6-1 and 180 pounds, I knew I didn’t ever have to take it,” Damon told the radio station. “I’m a big boy by nature, I’ve been blessed with strength. … I made the right decision, but sometimes guys don’t make that right decision.”

———————————————————————————————————–

GIAMBI GLAD PLAYERS ARE TALKING / B.A.T. creates Bobby Murcer Award

Brian Cashman: Players who tested positive for steroids should come clean

Cashman can’t say whether Alex used performance-enhancing drugs w/Yanks

Hunter saddened by A-Rod’s admission / Welcome to Fun City

Read Full Post »

Schilling: “I’d be all for the 104 positives being named” & Thanks A-Rod

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on February 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »

     I have to say..I’m not a big fan of Curt at all, but he hits the nail right on the head. The other names on the list of 104 players should have been released as well. Nobody is saying what Alex did was okay, but it’s not right for him to be singled out like that. Tons of players during the “Steroid Era” were juicing as well.

     I like how he thanks A-Rod, and appreciates that he stood up and was accountable for the stupid decisions he made. I also like how Schilling says that Giambi & Pettitte are both really nice people. That was nice of him. Haha

From Curt Schilling’s blog.. 38 Pitches:

That’s a very insignificant piece here until someone who is actually innocent is nailed or outed. How will we know who that is? Will it happen?

I’d be all for the 104 positives being named, and the game moving on if that is at all possible. In my opinion, if you don’t do that, then the other 600-700 players are going to be guilty by association, forever.

It’s not about good and bad people, because Mark McGwire and Jason Giambi are two of the kindest human beings ever. Andy Pettite is a fantastic person. That’s seemingly got nothing to do with anything. One hundred and four players made the wrong decision, and it appears that not only was it 104, but three of the greatest of our, or any, generation appear to be on top of this list.

And before anyone asks, I’ll make it clear: My name will not appear on any lists of positive tests. I’ve never tested positive for steroids or HGH, and I’ve never taken steroids or HGH in my life, ever. You don’t need to call the union, or an agent to verify that.

 

He sure as hell wasn’t apologizing my way, or even considering my opinion, but I sincerely appreciate that Alex, unlike so many others, stood up and held himself accountable for his actions.

It doesn’t make him any less guilty, any less accountable or any less of a Yankee (subtle Yankee jab) but it’s refreshing as hell to see someone say “I f’d up, I made a mistake and I’ll have to deal with it”. He’s fricking human, he made a horrible choice and he’ll have to deal with it.

——————————-

This whole situation stinks to high heaven but it’s completely wrong that one guy is being held out there for everyone to pencil whip, flat out wrong.

———————————————————————————————————-

The anniversary to forget / Apology by a Yankees Star Becomes a Rite of Spring

A-Rod a total bust when it comes to Baseball Hall of Fame chances

Indomitable Role Models for Rodriguez’s Home-Run Chase

Read Full Post »

Signs of things to come. Alex will be bashed around the baseball world

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on February 9, 2009| Leave a Comment »

     With Alex admitting that he used PED’s you have to believe he is going to be tortured by fans when the team goes on the road. He did come out and admit what he did, which was the right thing to do..but I doubt those fans will just forgive him.

     Check out how Red Sox Nation responded when they heard Giambi was on the juice. You can expect it to be even worse for Alex:

Looks like a lot of fans will start to buy these shirts to display their hatred for Alex. I don’t condone this, (I would NEVER wear one) but I thought it was interesting…

———————————————————————————————————-

Rodriguez Faces Test at Ballpark Reopening / A-Rod should be in Cooperstown

Why Alex Rodriguez Still Belongs In The Hall of Fame / It’s all A-Rod all the time

No ‘Camp Quiet’ for Yanks this spring / Eleven reactions to the A-Rod story

Meanwhile, back on the diamond / A-Rod’s response to steroids report

Read Full Post »

Review: What have we learned this off-season?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

     This off-season is one for the ages. The Yankees made headlines day in and day out. This team makes news 365 days a year, and it just amazes me. Let’s go take a look at what went on this off-season:

  1. Giambi, Pavano, & Abreu, Betemit, I-Rod, Rasner, & Ponson leave the Yankees.
  2. The Yankees bring in CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira, & Nick Swisher.
  3. Joe Torre published a new book, called “The Yankee Years”. A-Rod is called “A-Fraud”.
  4. Alex Rodriguez allegedly used steroids back in 2003.
  5. Joba Chamberlain will be a starter in 2009.
  6. The Yankees bring back Pettitte for another year.
  7. The New Yankee Stadium is going to be unbelievable.
  8. David Wells thinks Torre is a Punk and he wants to knock him out. Haha
  9. The Yankees have a new inaugural season stadium patch
  10. Bernie Williams still wants to play baseball.
  11. The Yankees are the favorites to win the 2009 World Series
  12. The Yankees have the best rotation and overall team on paper.
  13. Jeter will face his own team in the WBC.
  14. Ajack & Montero make the Top 50 Prospects in MLB
  15. Joba Chamberlain arrested on DUI charge

I’m sure I’m missing some stuff, but that pretty much sums up the Yankees crazy off-season.

———————————————————————————————————-

YANKEES HAVE TO REGRET KEEPING A-ROD NOW / Minor Developments

A-Mess / The First 1,820 Days Of A-Rod In Pinstripes / A-Rod should come clean

How about Rich Aurilia for the bench? / A-Rod needs to come clean

A-Rod’s Honesty Can Help League Move Past Steroid Era / Tarnished forever?

Read Full Post »

Come Clean? How will A-Rod be treated if he tells the truth?

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2009| 3 Comments »

     Put yourself in A-Rod’s shoes. Is it really that easy to come clean? You know deep down inside him..he wants to be the best player to ever play the game. He is obsessed with statistics. You have to think that if these allegations are true, and he admits it..it will be very difficult for him.

     Now how will he be treated if he comes clean? I’m sure the fans would boo him in other ballparks, but how about in Yankee Stadium? They didn’t boo Pettitte and Giambi. I know I wouldn’t boo Alex…

     This is a life changing moment for Alex. Just one question: Did you use steroids back in 2003?

     He is in a different situation then most other players who were stamped as steroid users. This is because he is under contract to be a Yankee until 2017! Could he admit he took steroids and gain his career back? He definitely won’t be viewed in the same way he was before, but he could make the situation a whole lot better.

     Then the HOF question is brought up? IF Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa..and all those other guys don’t get in..why should A-Rod? He was a LOCK, no doubt about it HOFer, but now things have changed dramatically. People are now questioning whether he is even worthy of being in the hall or not.

     There are some many questions you can think of right now. It’s just amazing how things have changed over the past few days for Alex. First Joe Torre’s book..and now this.

———————————————————————————————————-

The Yankee Stadium Redevelopment Project / SI: A-Rod tested positive in 2003

Spring Training 2009: Five questions for the Yankees  / Disappointment

Believe It or Not, Jose Canseco Was Right Again / AL East Preview

News of Alex Rodriguez’s steroid accusations disappoints South Florida fans

Read Full Post »

A-Rod steroid accusations hurt the Baseball world….

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , , on February 8, 2009| Leave a Comment »

     This was the one guy that was supposed to “save baseball” from the steroid era. There is suspicion with everyone in baseball about steroids, but many believe Alex did it with his pure talent.

     “Innocent until proven guilty” Yes..that’s true, but when it comes to baseball fans..they don’t care. You will get judged the same way that Bonds & Clemens were.

     We need to wait and see how things unfold and what exactly went on. Yankees fans went through Pettitte and Giambi, (who were forgiven) but we are talking about a person who was considered one of the best players to ever step on the baseball diamond. I don’t think he will get the same treatment as them. He was never considered a “True Yankee” either, so that hurts him as well.

I wonder how he will be treated in the New Yankee Stadium and around the baseball world. I have one question for you Yankees fans out there:

Come Opending Day…will you cheer for A-Rod or boo him?

Remember this? It will haunt him…

———————————————————————————————————-

Spring Preview: New York Yankees / A-Rod now tarnished forever / Missing

MLB’s response and a look back at “60 Minutes” / Two days of silence / Sigh

A-ROD JUST MAKES STEROID ERA WORSE / Analyzing the Yankee Bullpen for 09

Your turn at bat, Alex / A-Rod shows he’s a true phony / News stings fans

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »

%d bloggers like this: