After 20 seasons in the big leagues, Jason Giambi has decided to hang up his cleats, announcing his retirement on Monday.
Giambi, 44, played in just 26 games last season as a DH and pinch hitter with the Cleveland Indians. Following last season, Giambi had said that he would discuss with his family whether to keep playing.
Giambi originally announced his decision via a statement to the New York Daily News:
“After 20 seasons, I have decided to officially announce my retirement as a Major League Baseball player. “I really want to thank my wife, Kristian, for going on this journey with me. She’s always been my rock. She’s always been there for me with support and love, and I really couldn’t have done this without her. She’s been everything to me and I don’t think I can state in words how much she’s meant to me. I love you and thank you.
“To my two gifts from heaven, London and Tristan, Daddy’s coming home.
“I want to thank my dad, John, for teaching me this beautiful game and for all the hitting we did on the weekends. I want to thank my mom, Jeanne, for all the practices she took me to and for being the loudest voice in the stands. To my brother Jeremy, playing on the same team as him were two of my favorite years of my career. To my sister Julie, you were always there supporting me and loving me, and my niece, Jenna, who has always been there to support me. I love you.
“I also want to thank Arn and Nancy Tellem for always treating me like I was a part of their family. I love you guys so much and thank you. Also Joel Wolfe and Erin Estrada for all the support and love they gave me over my career, I love you guys.
“So many other people played a huge part in my career, so I also want to thank Ron Simms, Bobby Alejo, Tommy Bolin, Mark Phillipi, Marsha Utain and Barbara Reeder. I also want to thank Nike, Reebok, Oakley Sunglasses and Louisville Slugger for supplying me the tools of the trade all these years.
“Ever since I was five years old, all I ever wanted to be was a Major League Baseball player. The Oakland A’s, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians were a big part of helping that dream come true.
“To the managers, coaches and players, it’s been a tremendous honor sharing the field with you and thank you very much.”
“To the writers, local and national, and to the broadcasters, I want to express my appreciation to the media for covering the game we all love.
“I want to thank the fans for being a part of this incredible journey. I especially want to thank the fans that gave me a second chance to let me show you the human being you see today.
“Lastly, to the game of baseball: I started playing you when I was a kid and I’m leaving you a man. Thank you.”
Giambi admitted to PED use in 2003 after fallout from the BALCO scandal, but was earnest, upfront, and sincere enough to get a second chance, openly telling the USA Today in 2007:
“I was wrong for using that stuff…what we should have done a long time ago was stand up — players, ownership, everybody – and said ‘we made a mistake.”
He remained a popular and well-respected player in clubhouses around the majors despite his role in the PED scandal. Before coming to Cleveland in 2013, he was actually considered a finalist for the Colorado Rockies manager position but opted to continue his playing career after Walt Weiss was awarded the position. He was offered a position as hitting coach, but turned it down.
The Cleveland Indians have reportedly offered for him to return as a coach, but the prospect is not likely given Giambi’s alluding to spending more time with his family. He is likely to return to the game in a coaching role sometime in the future, however.
After stints with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, and Cleveland Indians, Giambi finishes his career with 440 homers, 1,441 RBIs, the 2000 MVP award and five All-Star selections. He is also the second player in MLB history to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats, doing so as a member of the Colorado Rockies in 2011.
