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Giambi wins tight MVP vote

Mark McGwire's successor with A's earns AL award by 32 votes.

By JOHN ROMANO

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 16, 2000

They never will forget Mark McGwire in Oakland. But, at least for a day, they might pretend they are better off without him.

Jason Giambi, the man who replaced McGwire at first base in Oakland in 1997, was named the American League Most Valuable Player on Wednesday.

Giambi edged two-time AL MVP Frank Thomas of the White Sox, earning 14 of the 28 first-place ballots and finishing with 317 points to 285 for Thomas.

When informed of the award Tuesday night, Giambi's first impulse was to call McGwire.

"I wanted to thank him first, before anybody, because of what he meant to me and my career with all the things he's done for me," Giambi said. "He was so excited for me. We have such a special friendship. He's everything from my mentor to big brother. He couldn't wait for me to get back home (in southern California) so we could go hang out together.

"I love him to death. He's meant so much to me."

The Athletics dealt McGwire to the Cardinals midway through the 1997 season when it became apparent they were not likely to re-sign him at the end of the season. The trade, which brought Oakland a rather nondescript group of pitchers, was made easier because Giambi was waiting in the wings.

Giambi had hit .291 with 20 home runs the previous season while playing third base, leftfield and designated hitter and filling in for McGwire at first. Giambi's average and home run totals have risen consistently since.

Oakland lost 88 games the season after the McGwire trade, but it became a contender in 1999 and, in 2000, won its first division title since 1992. Giambi virtually carried the Athletics down the stretch, hitting .396 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in September.

Giambi, 29, said a left shoulder injury was the impetus for his hot finish. With the team struggling, Giambi had to sit out a few days after receiving a cortisone shot.

"It was a blessing in disguise. It gave me a second wind coming into September," Giambi said. "The ball looked like a beach ball, the same way every hitter describes it when he's in that zone. It was just that mental attitude I had when I was coming to the ballpark. It was not a question of whether I was going to get a hit, but how many hits I would get and would I have a home run. I was that focused."

His numbers were nearly identical to Thomas' (Giambi hit .333 with 43 homers and 137 RBI; Thomas hit .328 with 43 homers and 143 RBI), but voters apparently were swayed by Giambi's hot finish and the fact that Thomas spent most of the season as a designated hitter.

Toronto's Carlos Delgado also had similar statistics (.344, 41 homers, 137 RBI), but did not get as much support because the Blue Jays failed to make the post-season. Delgado finished fourth behind Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Giambi's victory finally gave Oakland fans something to cheer about after a succession of near-misses in post-season awards. Art Howe was runner-up in the Manager of the Year award, Terrence Long was runner-up for Rookie of the Year and Tim Hudson was runner-up in the Cy Young Award.

The challenge now facing Oakland is keeping its young, core group of players together. Giambi has one year remaining on his contract and is negotiating an extension. He said his preference is to remain in Oakland, where his brother, Jeremy, is a teammate.

"I am truly honored to be selected for this award, especially with guys like Frank Thomas, Carlos Delgado and Alex Rodriguez out there," Giambi said. "This is a boy's dream come true. This was truly a fairy tale year with my brother here and the A's winning the division. I am truly honored."

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