DEVON GRANDY (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
While Jason Giambi and his arguably distasteful slump-breaking method have been well-documented both here and in the more mainstream media, one thing is certain after yesterday’s day epic game between the Yankees and the Blue Jays: Giambi knows how to win a game in style. For those of you who didn’t see or read about the game, Jason Giambi, the (formerly) struggling, often-booed, golden thong-wearing Yankee first baseman, hit a pinch-hit, two-run, walk-off, upper-deck, hyphenated-adjective-defying homer in the bottom of the ninth on an 0-2 count.
The best game of the season, an analysis of Giambi’s thong-wearing effectiveness, and a huge Red Sox brawl, all after the jump:
The game itself was both exhausting and hugely exciting, as evidenced by its convoluted box score and nearly four hours of playing time. Jorge Posada, the Yankees’ starting catcher, returned to his spot behind the batter’s box to a standing ovation from the Yankee Stadium crowd after more than a month on the disabled list. Posada’s addition to the batting order completes the original lineup that the Yankees began the season with before being heavily depleted by injuries. Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankee ace pitcher, failed again to break out of his rough patch, and has not had a decision in three starts (nor a win in six). He and relief pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Veras, and Kyle Farnsworth were not received well by the crowd, with Wang and Farnsworth drawing raucous booing for their struggles on the mound. Other highlights from the game include:
- Extremely aggressive tag-ups by Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon from third base, both of whom scored by roughly knocking the ball from Toronto catcher Rod Barajas while sliding into home plate.
- Both teams combining for three double plays, the best of which was executed by the Yankees via Betemit (1B) to Jeter (SS) to Veras (P). That’s right: a 3-6-1, which is extremely uncommon.
- Shelley Duncan pinch-running for Posada, to be replaced at the next half-inning with Jose Molina behind the plate.
- Brad Wilkerson, as a defensive replacement in right field, reaching up at the wall to rob Johnny Damon of a go-ahead, three-run homer in the 8th.
- Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui somehow lining singles through the Blue Jay infield in the bottom of the ninth to bring the game to 8-7 with the tying run on first.
But here’s what makes it all so beautiful is that desperate moment with hope running out as Jason Giambi sent a towering, triumphant blast into the upper deck above right field. Giambi, rounding the bases, arrived at home plate to find the entire Yankee dugout waiting for him gathered around the batter’s box, enclosing him as, with a euphoric leap, he landed on the base to officially end the game. And as he walked with his exuberant teammates back to the locker room, Jason Giambi lifted his batting helmet to the Yankee Stadium crowd that had previously booed him so many times in what must have been his first curtain call in years.
All of this against what is currently the best pitching staff, both starting and relieving, in Major League Baseball. And while the Yankees are still floundering around both the .500 mark and the bottom of the division, on this bright blue afternoon, Yankee Stadium’s ghosts showed up once again for a majestic, logic-defying victory that literally brought tears to this fan’s eyes as he watched the live broadcast from his laptop in Buenos Aires.
For the record: Jason Giambi is not nearly one of BOTO’s favorite players, due to the fact that he is an average defensive player at best and has several frustrating batting habits, not the least of which is striking out. However, for a power hitter in what may be the twilight of his career, Giambi still occasionally shells out nice pieces of hitting, particularly over the last month; that’s right, Giambi has batted superbly since the thong story broke three weeks ago, and is now hitting a respectable (for a slugger) .258 on the season. So has the public revelation of his underwear secrets marked a turning point for Jason Giambi? Does his clutch hitting against Toronto signal a revitalization for the Yankees, particularly with the original lineup back? Only time will tell, but perhaps it’s okay after all for those who are neither supermodels nor Democratic presidential nominees (woo hoo!) to wear golden thongs every once and a while. 
Finally, a lovely, juicy brawl between the Rays and the Red Sox last night, including what looks like most of the Tampa Bay defense decking Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp after the latter charged the mound; unfortunately, the Red Sox won, but apparently later in the game Manny Ramirez had to be separated in the dugout from his own teammate Kevin Youkilis after the two entered a shouting match in Spanish. So, with the second-to-last-place Yankees looking like winners and the division-leading Rays and Red Sox both looking like ten-year-olds (in front of a predictably enthusiastic and cheering Boston crowd), this half of BOTO bids you farewell, until he returns to you mid-weekend upon returning to the States. He promises not to let Nicole continue her undiluted stream of Mets commentary.
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2 comments so far...
In a postgame interview asked about the status of his mustache after the homer, Jason Giambi shouted. “The Mustache STAYS!” Heaven help us if he is asked about the golden thong; he may start to wear it outside his pants.
Isn’t the bottom of the 9th when the stars should shine? Either way, I can’t believe Giambi is getting payed for his position in the line-up. He was golden in the 90’s but it’s way too late for him to still hit .258 for the highest payed team!!!! Good god, I can’t honestly believe I’m here in Australia and following the season while Giambi is taking down the entire team… We need changes and we need them soon!!!!!!!!!
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