Jason Giambi: Turd of the Year

by EastBayTeam on Jul 31, 2005 8:51 PM PDT

From ESPN's wrap up of the Angels game:

Giambi hit a major league-best 14 homers in July, the most in a month by a Yankees player since Mickey Mantle hit 14 in July 1961. Roger Maris had 13 that month, too.

"That's the exciting part about being a Yankee," Giambi said. "Whenever you do anything special, you're joining Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, DiMaggio. That's one of the reasons I came here."

As if I needed one more reason to boo that fat burger eating sell-out juicer.

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Comments

what?

that's pretty harsh. i was saddened and upset when he left, too, but don't waste your energy hating people.

this is also a poor excuse for a diary. please consider adding something of substance next time you get the urge to post...

--Nebraska--

by Ryan Armbrust on Jul 31, 2005 9:00 PM PDT reply actions

Please spare me the sanctimony. Giambi's comments should roil any true A's fan, and sharing his comments with the faithful is an act of duty. I'm not sure why everybody on this site needs to have their hands held so much. This should be an open forum and comments like this are part of being a fan. If you don't like it, scroll on and post your own sanitized version of the world.

by EastBayTeam on Jul 31, 2005 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

He said soemthign positive about being a Yankee

so we should be pissed? Give me a break.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jul 31, 2005 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

No.

We should be pissed that he's BACK ON THE JUICE.

by Ozzz on Aug 1, 2005 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm a True A's Fan ...

... and Giambi's comment doesn't "roil" me. If that's the true reason he went to the Yankees, that's pretty legit. Jason said at the time he signed that his Dad was a big Yankee fan.

Don't be so cynical. And don't waste your time hating people who don't know you exist.

I'm all for people posting whatever they want on a public blog, but don't try to tell us who is a "true A's fan" and who isn't.

by Eck on Jul 31, 2005 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

I take your point about my suggestion of who is a true A's fan. That wasn't really my intention to say that every A's fan should be upset by his comments. My point is that his comments can be found offensive to many fans, particularly when embedded in them is that Oakland doesn't have the stature or the history to impress him. I'm glad he left, and I'm glad he's costing the Yanks a lot of money, but personally, I just get tired of all this Yankee-worship, particularly when it comes from a guy who clearly couldn't appreciate the storied and amazing franchise that he was playing for.

by EastBayTeam on Jul 31, 2005 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Officer Nico?

Diary police, your assistance is requested.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Jul 31, 2005 9:05 PM PDT reply actions

He's Back

and who knows? We might be seeing him in the playoffs.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 31, 2005 9:12 PM PDT reply actions

Grow up

Why should any "true A's fan" be roiled? This is professional sports, play for pay, entertainment, and what fans feel is different from what the players feel.

Just ask Joe Morgan.

by dingerpower on Jul 31, 2005 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

Tell it like it is

Please explain to me why this guy gets booed every time he comes to the Coliseum. The fact of the matter is that my negative feelings toward Giambi are shared by a large and vocal majority of A's fans. I prefer a version of sports where you can get passionate about your team. Just as you celebrate all the heroic moments and the players that make them happen, you can be bitter and mad about the players who let you down. Or worse: they go play for your arch-rival team and put down your town and team. I'm not alone in these feelings.

by EastBayTeam on Jul 31, 2005 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's how it is, then

Jason's been gone what, 3-4 years?

You're not at the Coliseum booing (in whatever spirit) in a large crowd in a location where booing is common, you're on your own (still anonymous) and using specific words -- its different

There's lots of boorish behavior in the stands that isn't pleasant. I love bringing small kids to the game and having to sit next to some foul-mouthed drunken A-hole. And fifty like him. So what if they're in a large number?

Or police officers who spend their whole time at a game berating the opposing bull-pen. Boy, that's high-class. I sure want them embodying my town.

As for Jason when he left -- I'm sure he said some things he regrets. But what do you say when you go to a new city? "This sure is better" or "This sucks"? At least whatever Jason said is not as ludicrous as what Randy Winn just said..."this is a great team"....not!

And don't get me wrong; I've been a jerk in the stands myself...why I remember when people used to chant about Don Zimmer's resemblence to a small rodent from Asia that's become a popular house pet (not an original idea, either; it first came from the Spaceman.)

by dingerpower on Aug 1, 2005 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions

all is forgiven

Jason was on my crap list for dumping the A's for the money to go to our worst enemy. But he has now suffered over these years as much as any player has, having his soul eaten away and then his performance, then his reputation, and he has gained no rings for his betrayal.

All accounts are settled. I wish him no specific ill anymore.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 9:54 PM PDT reply actions

I actually applauded him today

Because I was happy he torched the Angels. But it felt kind of funny.

by EastBayTeam on Jul 31, 2005 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

meep meep

At some point, when your betrayer has fully transformed into Wile E. Coyote, you have to let go. That's where I'm at.

The other person on my sold-us-out-for-money-to-go-to-the-enemy-that-just-beat-us crap list is Keith Foulke. As you can imagine, it is not easy to get on this list, but Keith did it.

Unfortunately, Keith did get a ring out of the betrayal, but he is currently getting shredded in the press and with the fans. After a couple more years of torture, I'll be cool with him.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

be careful what you wish for....

Do you want NY or Boston as the A's first round playoff opponent?

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Jul 31, 2005 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

this is one year

I will be jazzed to just make the playoffs. And as you've pointed out, they are not the Evil Empires of the last few teams, but their decrepit, decaying yet powerful animated corpses lurching forward seeking one last taste of victory.

I feel poetic tonight. Last night of high speed internet for ten days. I'm pumped up. I feel like freestyling like paz!

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

oh by the way

Giambi is a better fielder than Byrnes, and I have the numbers to back it up.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 9:55 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, but

have you seen Byrnes's numbers against LHP?

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?

I want to see.

No, I do not want to FIRE MACHA NOW, nor do I think Blanton is fat. Now leave me alone.

by pbruins92 on Aug 1, 2005 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions

So he writes a diary dissing Giambi...

Big deal. A lot of A's fans don't like Giambi.

independencefieldsac.org
Please help disabled kids in Sacramento play baseball by helping the Rivercats build a specially equipped field for them.

by kaweahkaweah on Jul 31, 2005 10:06 PM PDT reply actions

i will edit and than walk you to death

i need some help, i am little confused, so should i look up to jason giambi now that his prescription has been refilled, i mean when the #### do these cheaters get tested because that means this dumbass sellout hasnt taken a piss in about 2 months. i mean the media is sucking his whatever is left of his babymaker like this cheater beat prostate cancer and saved some kids from drowning, this is has to be the most retarded and awkward thing, i mean how the #### do you praise a steriod user who cheated to become a better player and get a huge contract from the retards who are running the yankees, i mean what if im living a normal life and out of nowhere i beat the #### out of danica patrick and lance armstrong and dont apologize for it and then keep living a normal life with no consequences, WTF, am i missing something.

billy beane 4 world bank prez

by pav on Jul 31, 2005 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

Wow

Take a deep breath, life goes on.

Olympian Amil Gartenamo, world record holder in both the javelin and the hundred yard dash--only person who ever died by throwing a spear into his own back.

by Furious George on Jul 31, 2005 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

i just took a deep breath

but still for some reason something in me still want me to shave his 5 0 clock shadow and slap him with jeremy gimabi's bong

billy beane 4 world bank prez

by pav on Jul 31, 2005 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions

why am I reminded

of the weird gibberish that spammers put in to evade spam filters?

And pav, if you're going to mention Danica Patrick then you damn well better post some pictures. Cupcake up.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

who the hell is danica patrick

billy beane 4 world bank prez

by pav on Jul 31, 2005 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

hmm

I'll try to answer in language you can understand.

pav dude I was talking to the other pav who posted the post about danica who happens to be a real cutie who happens to kick ass in racing like annika on the mens circuit except she makes the cut which is more than I can say about those * * * * pencil-genital teen-brained boys and men who follow Anna K who hasn't won jack proving that silicone and bleach can get you millions of dollars from gullible punks who try to prove to each other they're hetero by lusting after the most obvious and vapid targets * * * * that and when I say punks I don't mean like the Ramones sorry Billy or Television or even Rancid or Op Ivy I'm talking boys who haven't grown strong enough to like a woman with her own strength which brings me back to Danica who is a hottie but she also kicks butt in a sport which some might say is only a sport because it has a logo, I mean u don't call frickin model plane racing a sport right, and u don't call hot dog eating a sport though it does show up a lot on sportscenter top ten but anyway forget the toys and at least go for the women like daniela hantuchova who's won frickin tournaments and danica patrick and anyone else whose hot talented and whose name starts with dan peace out cupcake up.

I feel strangely refreshed.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Cucake up!

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa

danica is a woman, i thought it was a little boy with great ambitions and wild dreams of actually WINNING anything first before espn brainwashed the #### out of you

billy beane 4 world bank prez

by pav on Jul 31, 2005 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I am officially stupider

than I was ten minutes ago.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

brainwashed?

you better do some research pav I don't watch espn and their punk-ass poker marathons whats the s stand for straight flush and when I say punk see the last post anyway if you want to blame my condition on anything you better step up and call out paige davis and her trading spaces marathon ass hey does it bother you that your name is an anagram of AVP which I believe sponsors volleyball butts peace out cupcake up

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

ok, that made some sense i guess

but it doesnt bother me that my name is an anagram of avp but if you want to do RESEARCH on what does bother me, how about giambi brother's rainbow showers on posada's hand, how about scoscia's pregnancy, how about that albino pothead who does angels games, how about john kruk and harold reybold's love child almost shaving brian sabean's fabolous facial hair, how about lance armstrong's other ball, how about jeff brantley's sweet babymaking smirk, how about passing out while watching any giants game, how about yankees, angels and red sox BUYING pennants rather than earning them, how about landscaping the #### out of your enemy's lawn and what about a little kid who just happens to have a tv friendly face and havent won nothing and getting more recognition than an underdog left for dead baseball team with a 56 milion payroll which defies any odds or mainstream media logic.

billy beane 4 world bank prez

by pav on Jul 31, 2005 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions

trying to read..

got to "but"... brain explodes

Welcome to Oakland - Where our Barry doesn't need to cheat!

by JLaff on Jul 31, 2005 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I like to think

Blez envisioned exactly this kind of reasoned discourse when he put AN together, except maybe with more punctuation. And less psychotic.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh yes

who ####in needs argumentative discourse when we can forgt all god#### grammer and talk like ####in 12 yer odls on instnt messengar

Well, there goes that English degree.

Welcome to Oakland - Where our Barry doesn't need to cheat!

by JLaff on Jul 31, 2005 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't believe in role models but you mine.

Except what the # # # # are you talking about rainbow showers is this some scat porn version of game three 2002 on espn playboy classic, who the hell is krukreynolds love child, lance's other ball is happily married living a suburb of saint louis and owns 652 jack in the box restaurants local of course, and what kind of landscaping are we talking spelling BITE ME with roundup or driving a john deere through a hedge peace out cupcake up.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

why are you people arguing

with a computer program that randomly generates comments? seems like a waste of time...

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 1, 2005 3:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I've got to recommend this post.

Not because it was good or anything but because of the hysterical 'sidebar' that was launched from it.

I'll tell you what; I'll give it a "1".

http://www.cafehayek.com ~ a blog for classical liberals

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 1, 2005 4:12 AM PDT up reply actions

in that case

i'm giving it a "2" just to be different!

also because i like his sig...

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 1, 2005 4:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Giambi is best when....

he's hitting .220 and killing them on the field as well as in the bank account.

I have a co-worker who is a huge Yankee fan, and she rues the day that NYY signed him. She's convinced that the franchise is cursed since he signed with them.

"Yucky Head Bad Guy!" - my 5-year-old daughter to Manny Ramirez. She got ice cream immediately afterward.

by DMtShooter on Jul 31, 2005 10:45 PM PDT reply actions

Well,

the Yankees measure success in World Series, and since he's arrived they've won, um, none. But my brain tells me that the playoffs are a crapshoot and that Giambi has nothing to do with it.

Still, it's fun to think about the curse of the Giambino, as it were.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of franchise killers...

...remember when EBT was calling Chavez a franchise killer?

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Good Memory

I did call Chavez a franchise-killer. I admit it. And now I admit that I was wrong. Chavez, despite his huge paycheck, horrifying comments to the media, consistent underperforming and general unclutchness despite being the supposed "leader," has NOT succeeded in killing this franchise. I am grateful that all his efforts in April and May and the 03 playoffs went for naught. Luckily, even his unclutchness couldn't dampen the spirit of the new A's.

My bad.

by EastBayTeam on Aug 1, 2005 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

Huh

How did THIS make it to the recommended diaries list? FYI.. that turd just helped us get within a stone's through of the division lead.

Welcome to Oakland - Where our Barry doesn't need to cheat!

by JLaff on Jul 31, 2005 11:30 PM PDT reply actions

Spell check

through = throw

Welcome to Oakland - Where our Barry doesn't need to cheat!

by JLaff on Jul 31, 2005 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

The fact this made the recommended list is really cracking me up. But it's probably really because talking pazese has damaged the parts of my brain controlling punctuation and it tickles.

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions

to return to the topic

If there were an actual awards show for Turd of the Year, what do you think the set would look like? Theme music? And god forbid, the trophy?

by Apricot on Jul 31, 2005 11:31 PM PDT reply actions

All I know is this:

Joan Rivers would be there.

Fearing Mecir since 2000.

by salb918 on Jul 31, 2005 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions

When Giambi chased the big money

I could accept that.....but when he started badmouthing the A's, and genuflecting the Yankee Altar under the watchful and approving eye of his dad (a lifelong Yankee fan) is when I joined the chorus of BOOs at the colisium. I know Chavey still thinks "G" is the greatest thing since apple pie, but Chavey can't be perfect!!

by robertmelvin on Jul 31, 2005 11:37 PM PDT reply actions

i still like giambi

because he was a lot of fun to watch while he was here. why should i blame him for taking the money?
why should i care if he said a few things, not very seriously, about oakland?
i want the yanks to suck, but i don't wish g any harm.

i don't get the anger for him. i don't get booing him, or ichiro for that matter.

i don't care about steroids. i've tried, but i can't care.

what's the deal with ichiro? i was at what i think was his first game here, when he threw out t-long, and people were booing him for no reason. one of the only times i've been embarrassed by our crowd. (the other time i can think of was when there was cheers and really psychotic comments when there was a nasty collision of 2 red sox players in the playoffs).

by danh on Aug 1, 2005 12:11 AM PDT reply actions

east bay team: too bad chavez didn't retire, huh?

"It's at the point where I'm rooting against Chavez in the hope that he'll retire. He looks miserable enough, and if he retires, he forfeits his contract, right? Otherwise this guy is a franchise-killer."

is that off topic? because i'm not really sure what the topic of this diary is...

If I weren't playing baseball, I'd be... "in the Ultimate Fighting Championship." -Rich Harden

by xbhaskarx on Aug 1, 2005 3:17 AM PDT reply actions

I wouldn't miss Chavez

Melhuse could play 3rd, and with the extra money off the books we probably could've swung a deal for Manny Ramirez. Chavez is not a bad player, but he doesn't merit the contract or the status as the only homegrown player to stick around, considering the actual starpower that has vacated this team due to financial reasons. My point was that as long as Chavez sucks up the money he does, it hurts the team. Luckily we're playing well despite his chronic inconsistency and lack of clutchness. This guy's only good for the stat-padding home run. You DO NOT want him up when the game is on the line. I would take Scutaro, Kendall, Kotsay, Kielty or Ellis over our $11 million sack of pistachio nuts any day with the game on the line.

by EastBayTeam on Aug 1, 2005 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions

What is clutchness?

I am one of the people that don't believe it exists. Players are always trying to get a hit (or get on base)and I doubt a RISP makes them try harder. I chalk it up to luck, players who don't try hard to not make an out every at bat aren't in the majors.

No, I do not want to FIRE MACHA NOW, nor do I think Blanton is fat. Now leave me alone.

by pbruins92 on Aug 1, 2005 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions

I think clutchness exists

Some people just perform better when the pressure is higher, others wilt. Compare Scutaro to Chavez. Or just search your memory: where is Chavez's big hit for the A's? This guy has been a regular since 1999, and I swear I can't remember a single huge hit this guy has come up with. Maybe he will improve, but personally I don't think this guy will ever live up to his potential. There's nothing worse than seeing an underperformer, and with the game on the line, NO WAY do I want Chavez up at bat. No way. The best you could hope for is that he'll walk, but more than likely he'll strike out.

by EastBayTeam on Aug 1, 2005 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Giambi

has made a remarkable turnaround in the past several weeks. I had this guy buried (career wise) just a couple of months ago.

I did love seeing the Yanks suffer when Giambi's wheels were coming off, them being stuck with that 120 million contract. But he has really fought back. Good for him.

On the other hand, when he speaks, he can be terribly annoying.

by sommers on Aug 1, 2005 4:23 AM PDT reply actions

Remarkable turnaround...

...yeah, odd that. Goes from 'can't hit a homerun now that they're testing' to 'most homeruns in the month from any Yankee ever.'

I have to say, only an eternal optimist would believe his sudden upswing is down to 'natural ability'. He's juicing again, no doubt about it, and if you ever hear boos coming from me aimed towards Giambi, it'll be not because he fled Oakland for big money, but because he's a filthy drug cheat who has stained a hundred plus years of baseball history.

by Ozzz on Aug 1, 2005 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Then color me an eternal optimist

And I'll say that only a true cynic would believe that a guy who was so sick he thought he was dying would return to the same behavior that took him there.

I do not believe that Giambi is on the juice again. He could ALWAYS hit - it's not too hard to believe that he's on a tear because he's a good hitter who's seeing the ball well.

by Dog Days on Aug 1, 2005 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Sure it is.

Especially when a month ago he was being talked of as tradebait, or perhaps being designated for assignment.

Hmm.. not hitting anything, weight mysteriously down to pre-boom years levels... talk of trades, then he suddenly bulks up again and hits like Superman.

Suspicious doesn't seem to cover it.

by Ozzz on Aug 1, 2005 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions

"bulks up again?"

When did he bulk up again? Seriously, that "fact" may feed your argument, but it's simply not true. He looks the same now as he has all season. You can point to his increased production as evidence of your theory, but his body hasn't changed.

I realize that we could argue about this forever, since you clearly think he is using again and I clearly don't. So I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, since neither of us knows what he's doing.

by Dog Days on Aug 1, 2005 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions