MLB: The Giambino does Denver in style

September 22, 8:37 PMMLB ExaminerTony DeMarco

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Jim Tracy saw enough of Jason Giambi from opposing dugouts over the years that he was elated when the Colorado Rockies signed the slugger last month.

"I've been on the receiving end of it when he was on teams I managed against,'' Tracy said. "So I know what kind of offensive player he is.''

But not even Tracy could have expected the perfect storm of pinch-hitting and production that Giambi has brought since his Sept. 1 return to the big leagues in a Rockies uniform. Check out these numbers:

A .400 batting average (6 for 15), two homers, 11 RBI, seven walks to boost the on-base percentage to .591, and an .867 slugging percentage. And the hits have been clutch, too -- including a bases-loaded walkoff two-run single on Sept. 2.

Yes, this is the same Giambi who hit only .193 with 11 homers and 40 RBI in 83 games for the A's before being released. Giambi credits Triple-A Colorado Springs coach Rene Lachemann for helping him put his swing back together during a short minor-league stay in August. And being back in a playoff race has Giambi, 37, stoked once again. 

"This is a great place to be; not only the guys, but how they play the game,'' Giambi said. "It's been incredible. And Jim Tracy;  he's a big reason why I came here. I heard a lot of great things from guys who've played for him. And since I've been here, I rate him up there with anybody as far as baseball minds go. He works the game really well. He's got a great feel for it.'

When Tracy calls on Giambi, it's mostly in a crucial pinch-hitting situation late in the ballgame. Giambi also has made two starts at first base in place of Todd Helton, who needs days off to rest his back. And Giambi's presence on the bench allows Tracy to start red-hot-hitting Seth Smith in left field and still have a dangerous left-handed power bat to turn to late in games.

"He's performed to the extent of who he is, and then some,''  Tracy said about Giambi. "Not just on the field, but what he's done in the clubhouse. He's a great teammate and a winning player.''

For more info: Giambi's rank among active big-league leaders: Home runs (8th with 409), RBI (9th with 1,330), extra-base hits (12th with 794).