GOODYEAR, Ariz: Jason Giambi is back in the Indians clubhouse, but this time it’s with fewer strings attached.
Giambi, 45, on Monday had his first full day on the job as an Indians guest instructor during the spring. It’s his first foray into coaching, something that’s always seemed like an eventuality given Giambi’s experience and ability to communicate with teammates.
But for now, it’s only a test run. He wants to see how things go. Later on, he’ll determine if he’d like to pursue full-time employment on a coaching staff, particularly with two small children at home.
“I just wanted to come get my feet wet, to let everyone know I’m still interested,” Giambi said. “I didn’t want to be five years out of the game and then try to come back in. … It’s a big commitment, especially coaching. There’s a lot of hours involved. I want to make sure I have time with my kids. I waited a long time for them, so I wanted to make sure that they’re taken care of.”
Giambi spoke with several teams about coaching but chose the Indians for two reasons.
The first was they were the only team to call about a spring gig instead of an immediate, full-time position.
The second was he felt the best connection with the Indians, his most recent team as a player.
“It’s the biggest connection I have where I felt I could really help,” Giambi said. “I’ve played with a lot of these guys. I’ve played in Oakland and a few other places but it felt like this is the place I should get my feet wet because I have the biggest connection to all of these guys. That’s why I chose here.”
Giambi was certainly welcomed back to the Indians clubhouse. Manager Terry Francona has never hidden his admiration, long calling Giambi not just a veteran, but the veteran.
“It’s not just his knowledge of the game. It’s the way he’s able to deliver it,” Francona said. “People gravitate towards G. … He has a way about him. He’s very honest. He’s been there, he’s done it — all of it.”
Indians fans will best remember Giambi for his walk-off home run in 2013 that came in the middle of the club’s run to the postseason.
He was then let go in early 2014 and later retired, giving him a little more than a year and a half away from baseball.
Giambi loved the time off — especially getting to go to a barbecue on the Fourth of July — but wanted to see how he took to coaching. For now, he’ll help out the Indians in Goodyear.
“He’s so beloved around here,” Francona said. “He’s beloved everywhere, but he’s so revered and it’s so nice to have him. For as long as we have him, it’ll be really nice.”
Good start
One of the players Giambi spent the most time with on Monday was left fielder Michael Brantley, who’s now hitting off a tee as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery.
Brantley is progressing well thus far and will continue on his own hitting program this spring.
He’s pushing it to return to the lineup, but within reason.
For now, he’s just happy to be hitting in any form.
“I missed not picking up a bat, not being able to swing a bat,” Brantley said. “I pride myself on hitting and getting ready for the season. Anytime I have a bat in my hand, I’m happy.”
Brantley is closely following the schedule laid out by the Indians training staff. When he can push forward, he is. The club has entrusted Brantley to communicate with the staff and to know when too much is too much.
“I love the fact that he’s pushing because I think he’s getting better quick, which is good, but I think he’s got a good grasp of things,” Francona said. “He’s already assured us he’ll be very honest and that’s good enough for us. There’s a lot of trust there that he’s built up, as [there] should be. He deserves that.”
Brantley hasn’t put a specific timetable on his return, instead saying he’ll be back when he’s able to be back. The team originally gave a timetable of five to six months, putting his probable 2016 season debut in May.
There seems to be cautious optimism with Brantley as spring camp gets underway. Giambi liked what he saw on Monday.
“He looked great. He looked really free,” Giambi said. “It didn’t look like he was babying it at all, which is really encouraging. He looked really, really good.”
Whenever his shoulder is ready, Brantley will be as welcomed back to the lineup as Giambi was as an instructor.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at www.ohio.com/indians. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/RyanLewisABJ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RyanLewisABJ