Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

[elicoleman]

They just got finished talking about this on OTL and I thought I'd pose the question here on OS. Please keep it civil...I know how heated some of the debates around steroids can get heated.

Should Giambi win Comeback Player of the Year? If not, who would win it? Also, if you think no for Giambi, should they take away Canseco's 1993 Comeback of the Year award, since it was steroid induced?

Let me just start out by saying, I don't really sway either way. Obviously, some people are going to say he doesn't deserve it because of the steroid issues and that he gets what he deserves (as far as the parasite). However, since July 1st, he's been on an absolute tear. There is no denying his numbers since then.

I've got to think that no matter what, this guy was absolutely frail and weak and have nothing left. The way he's put it on since July has been a comeback in and of itself. The questions will be asked...Has he started back on the enhancers, which can't be detected?

Obviously, this isn't an MVP award or anything, but still something of some value.

2004 Stats
Games : 80
ABs : 264
AVG: .208
HRs : 12
RBIs : 40
Runs : 33
OBP : .342
SLG : .379

2005 Stats (17 Games Remaining)
Games : 125
ABs : 378
AVG : .280
HRs : 30
RBIs : 79
Runs : 64
OBP : .441
SLG : .553

Thoughts/Opinions?

[VTek33]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I honestly don't see how you can give it to him. Yes, he's a had a great year...More power to him. But I don't see why you would reward a player for having a crappy year last year and a good year this year. This isn't just for Giambi, this is for anyone. If Manny Ramirez hits .260 with 10 HR and 35 RBI in 2004 then hits .325 with 45 HR and 150 RBI in 2005, I don't see why he should be rewarded for that. "Congrats, you were ****ty last year and you're good this year! Have an award!"

Of course, one could make a case on who else would you give it to(?) The obvious choice in the National League would be Ken Griffey Jr.

A player that comes to mind in the American League is Paul Byrd.

[remix]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I wouldn't mind if he won it IF the Yankees reach the playoffs. If they don't, I give the vote to Sexson. The guy played only 23 games last year and this year he has started 137 while appearing in 140 of them. He's got 36HR 107RBI and 88R's for that lack luster offense.

[rsox]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I would give it to Sexson as well. Sexson was a huge question mark coming in to this season after tearing up his shoulder last season and he has shown that he is back to form hitting the way he used to in Milwaukee.

With Giambi you can use many arguments about why he should not win it. The two i will use are: 1) he is coming back from a self-inflicted illness, not an injury and 2) you can use the same argument in Giambi's CPOY bid as people use against David Ortiz for MVP which is look at the lineup around him-Jeter, Sheffield, Rodriguez, Matsui. He should be putting up these kinds of numbers with those guys around him. People say Ortiz should not win MVP because of Manny Ramirez hitting behind him and putting up similar numbers, well Giambi isn't doing anything he should not be doing considering he probably see's better pitches than Sheffield and Rodriguez.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

Sexson or Giambi in the AL, gotta go with Griffey in the NL.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

Giambi should win. He has comeback written all over him. He used to be real good, things got cloudy, and he overcame adversity

[poster]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I will give him credit for coming back, he has turned it around. That being said why should he be rewarded for coming back from cheating. It's not like he came back from a torn ACL. You could talk about the parasites, but I heard too many times that it could have been a result of the side effects of steroids. No way to prove that, but no way to prove it wasn't the reason. I say no way.

[Stu]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

Giambi should win. He has comeback written all over him. He used to be real good, things got cloudy, and he overcame adversity

I strongly disagree. Like poster said, why should he be rewarded for coming back from cheating? Especially since there are still questions surrounding the nature of his comeback. Most people just assume he's using an illegal substance again, which is pretty telling.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I strongly disagree. Like poster said, why should he be rewarded for coming back from cheating? Especially since there are still questions surrounding the nature of his comeback. Most people just assume he's using an illegal substance again, which is pretty telling.

I feel like he came back mentally more than just physically. We've seen what being caught with steroids can do to you..just look at Raffy.

[ehh]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I strongly disagree. Like poster said, why should he be rewarded for coming back from cheating? Especially since there are still questions surrounding the nature of his comeback. Most people just assume he's using an illegal substance again, which is pretty telling.

The problem with that argument is that no one knows how much of an effect steriods had Giambi's health. With the tumors, the intestinal parasites, eye problems, etc.


It's not like he just lost strength for a season and was totally healthy besides that. No one knows if Giambi's more serious healthy issues were steriod related because there is no evidence that the two are linked together.

[elicoleman]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I feel like he came back mentally more than just physically. We've seen what being caught with steroids can do to you..just look at Raffy.

I don't know how much they fact the mental side of a comeback with this award, but that is a great point. This man was getting the worst of boos at every ballpark, even his own. When you feel like you aren't even wanted by your own team, that's got to have some kind of effect on your psyche.

[Stu]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I don't know how much they fact the mental side of a comeback with this award, but that is a great point. This man was getting the worst of boos at every ballpark, even his own. When you feel like you aren't even wanted by your own team, that's got to have some kind of effect on your psyche.

And it was all self inflicted. It baffles me why anybody would feel sorry for this man.

[Stu]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

The problem with that argument is that no one knows how much of an effect steriods had Giambi's health. With the tumors, the intestinal parasites, eye problems, etc.


It's not like he just lost strength for a season and was totally healthy besides that. No one knows if Giambi's more serious healthy issues were steriod related because there is no evidence that the two are linked together.

That uncertainty should be enough to keep the award out of his hands IMO.

[Stu]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

I feel like he came back mentally more than just physically. We've seen what being caught with steroids can do to you..just look at Raffy.

I'm supposed to feel sorry for him, or be impressed with his comeback because of the mental issues surrounding him getting caught cheating?!?!?!

[Thrash13]

Re: Giambi : Comeback Player of the Year?

Let me just start by saying I hate the Yanks and most players on their team. The next thing I notice is the two people that strongly agree with Giambi being Comeback Player of the Year have Red Sox avatars in their profile. So their opinions really are skewed if you ask me, and that is silly.

The award is "Comeback" player of the year, and Giambi has made an awesome comeback. I don't see anywhere on the award where it says you have to come back from an injury. It is for players who have a terrible season or two and then really break out again the next season. Giambi fits this category, and my vote would go to him if I had a vote.

Richie Sexson is very deserving as well, but Giambi has single-handedly carried the Yanks at times this season.