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Jason Giambi has decided to retire after a twenty-year major league career, according to a statement that he released through Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. Giambi was said to be considering a comeback for his 21st season next year, but will retire instead of returning to the Indians in a role off the bench.
Giambi leaves the game with a lifetime .277/.399/.516 line with 440 home runs and 1,441 RBI in 2,260 games over twenty seasons with the Athletics (1995-2001, 2009), Yankees (2002-2008), Rockies (2009-2012) and Indians (2013-2014). He made the All-Star team on five straight occasions from 2000 to 2004, and also took home two Silver Slugger awards (2001, 2002) along with the AL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2005.
Giambi is best remembered for his 2000 season, in which he won the AL MVP award after hitting .333/.476/.647 with 43 home runs and 137 RBI in 152 games for Oakland. He finished within the top 20 in MVP voting on seven occasions from 1999 to 2006, despite doubt about his statistics due to suspicion of performance-enhancing drug use.