JASON GIAMBI HALL OF FAME SPEECH
Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Jason Giambi:
Born Jason Gilbert Giambi
New Jersey Cardinals 1997; Staunton Cheap Seats 1998-2000; Kentucky Headhunters 2000-2007; Elyria 2008; Chicago Mobsters 2009; Bay State Minute Men 2010-2011; Coconut Creek Crushers 2012; Sacramento Capitals 2012; Pittsburgh Lumber Company 2014; Triple Creek Patriots 2015
Played 21 seasons for 10 franchises, with his longest and most successful stint being his eight years as a Kentucky Headhunter, for whom he won an MVP award in 2001, made seven postseason appearances and was a five-time All-Star (starting three times).
Drafted by the New Jersey Cardinals, played one season there before moving on to the Staunton Cheap Seats, hitting .300 or better in every one of his three seasons, while swatting 101 home runs.
His best season was his MVP campaign of 2001, when he hit .393, with 213 hits, 60 home runs, 204 RBI, 187 walks, and a 1.359 OPS. All were career highs.
His lifetime stats are .962 OPS, .292 batting average, 409 home runs, 1323 RBI, 384 doubles, 1136 walks.
He hit more than 30 homers and topped 100 RBI five times.
He made nine postseason appearances and played in two World Series.
It is my pleasure and honor to present the newest member of the MWBL Hall of Fame, Jason Giambi.
Jason Giambi‘s Speech:
Thank you, Mr. Commissioner. And thank you to the voters for this honor. I am truly humbled. It is a great feeling to join this distinguished group of players seated behind me, and I couldn’t be happier to be share this day with my fellow inductees David Ortiz, Ken Griffey Jr., and Alex Rodriguez.
I’d first like to thank my family for all their support, sacrifice, and love throughout my life and career. My folks always supported us and they got themselves two major league players for their trouble!
I’d especially like to say how happy I am to share this day with my wife Kristan.
I’d also like to thank my teammates, managers, and coaches for helping me be the best player I could be, and putting up with me along the way. I played on a lot of good teams, especially in Kentucky. I’d like to thank owner Brian Scantland for having the foresight and belief to trade for me. It was such a great feeling to play on so many contending teams. There’s nothing like the atmosphere of a pennant race or postseason games.
I also had some good years in Staunton, where I was able to establish myself as a consistent, productive hitter. Thank you, Jim Schwendeman, for giving me that opportunity. Of course, I was originally drafted by Stan Berger of the New Jersey Cardinals. Thank you, Stan, for getting the ball rolling on this whole thing!
Thank you.