Jason Giambi announces retirement after 20-year career

Twenty-year MLB veteran Jason Giambi announced his retirement to the New York Daily News on Monday through a statement.

Twenty-year MLB veteran Jason Giambi announced his retirement in a statement to the New York Daily News on Monday. 

Giambi played for four teams over the course of his career, spending the first seven with the Oakland Athletics before spending another seven with the New York Yankees. He also spent time with the Colorado Rockies before ending his career with two years in Cleveland. 

The 44-year-old played in just 26 games for the Indians in 2014, hitting .133 with two home runs. Giambi finishes with a career .277 batting average, 2,010 hits, 440 home runs, 1,441 RBI and a .399 on-base percentage. 

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From his statement:

"Ever since I was five years old, all I ever wanted to be was a Major League Baseball player. The Oakland A's, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians were a big part of helping that dream come true."

Giambi was the 2001 American League MVP and was named an All-Star in five straight seasons from 2000 to 2004. In 2000 he hit. 333 with a .476 on-base percentage, 43 home runs and 137 RBI.

In 2003, Giambi was linked to the FBI's investigation of BALCO and a year later he admitted to using several different steroids during the off-seasons from 2001 to 2003. In a 2007 apology, he told USA Today he "was wrong for using that stuff."

"I want to thank the fans for being a part of this incredible journey. I especially want to thank the fans that gave me a second chance to let me show you the human being you see today," he said in his retirement statement. 

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Giambi's brother, Jeremy, also played six seasons in the majors before retiring in 2003. 

- Molly Geary