MLB Hall of Fame: Breaking down the 2020 ballot

Jason Giambi – first year on ballot

In reality, Jason Giambi‘s career can be broken down into two halves.

Prior to his injuries in 2004, Giambi was an all around force at first. He was a perrenial threat to hit over .300 with over 40 home runs, while his impressive batting eye consistently kept him amongst the league leaders in walks. Then, after injuries and an admission of PED usage, he became more of a three true outcome slugger – the power and batting eye were there, but he only batted over .250 three times in the final 11 years of his career.

Overall, Giambi had a strong resume. He was a five time All Star, and took home the 2000 AL MVP award. A two time Silver Slugger, he posted a lifetime .277/.399/.516 batting line, hitting 405 doubles and 440 homers. Giambi led the league in walks four times, and in on base percentage on three occasions.

However, there is that PED admission. Even asking for forgiveness from the voters has not manifested in a strong showing; just ask Mark McGwire and Andy Pettitte (who we will look at later). Giambi was a key part of the A’s success at the beginning of the century, and the Yankees run through the mid 2000s, but that is not likely enough to keep him on the ballot beyond this year.

Jason Giambi was a tale of two halves. The first half of his career was worthy of being inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame. The same could not be said for the second.