10 Questions

Giambi on New York, egg creams and 'Mr. Steinbrenner'

Jason Giambi appreciates the history of the New York Yankees, the fan support, and the fact they will do whatever it takes to win. AP

TAMPA, Fla. -- The past few months have been a dream for Jason Giambi, the former Oakland A's slugger who became the biggest free-agent catch of the offseason when he signed with the New York Yankees. The Southern California kid, already the most sought-after guy in the Yankees clubhouse, took time out to talk with our John Donovan about a lot of things New York in this edition of 10 Questions.

Q: Why is it that East Coast baseball is so much better than the West Coast version? Or anywhere else for that matter?

JG: I think it's more of the fan following. Definitely. I think they know a lot more about the game and there's a lot of history that goes into a lot of the ballparks on the East Coast. That's the biggest reason.

Q: You have a reputation as a "free spirit," which might be kind of putting it lightly. Do you feel a need to rein that in with maybe the most professional franchise in sports? Do you need to straighten up and fly right?

JG: No. I really don't feel that way. And they haven't made me feel that way yet. That's been the great thing about it. They actually kind of enjoy how I've been so far. And I don't think that's gonna have to change.

Q: The Yankees have the history, the ghosts of Gehrig and Ruth and all that. Do you believe in ghosts?

JG: Ghosts. [Laughing.] I believe in a lot of things, but I don't know about ghosts. I believe things are meant to be, though.

Q: There are Yankee haters out there. Were you ever one?

JG: No. Actually, to be honest with you -- and this isn't BS either -- I've always respected them from afar. From the ownership to the fan support to the players, they do whatever it takes to win. And that's an exciting point of view, especially when you're a player.

Q: C'mon. They never got to you? What about being, I don't know -- frustrated -- by them?

JG: No. I always looked at it as a challenge. You knew they were the best. And if you want to try to make a mark in this game, you had to beat those guys. It was always a dream we chased with the A's, to try to dethrone these guys.

Q: All right. "Mr. Steinbrenner" or "George?"

JG: Mr. Steinbrenner. Definitely. As we become closer friends and things like that … who knows? Or until he tells me I can call him George.

Q: Give me a couple of things you're looking forward to, not about playing in New York, but just living there, being there.

JG: I definitely think it's going to be exciting being a part of that city. There's so much that goes on. Your life goes to another level when you play in New York, as far as just the people that know you and your exposure. It's going to be fun to be a part of it. You go home and you have a ton of things to do. So it's going to be pretty incredible. It's going to be a different way of life. I'm used to being a Southern California kid, so you go from driving your own car to taking taxis. Definitely a different lifestyle.

Q: Say you wake up in the morning in the Big Apple and you want a good bagel. What are you ordering?

JG: I don't think I'll ever go the bagel route. I don't get up early enough to eat breakfast. I'm not a breakfast guy. I just eat food.

Q: Ever have an egg cream?

JG: Ahhh … what is that?

[It's a New York thing. Milk and seltzer and chocolate.]

JG: Ummm, I don't think I'll be in a real big hurry to try that out.

Q: OK. Finally. Is all this stuff intimidating at all? The history, the expectations, everybody wanting a part of you?

JG: I look at it as exciting. All I ever wanted to be was a ballplayer. And to be living this dream, making it to the big leagues. I've always been a fan, and aware of the history of the game. And now getting this chance … you can have a chance to be a part of that history … it's definitely exciting.

 

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