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Giambi: Good Deeds Should Get as Much Recognition as Bad Deeds

Giambi lends helping hand to friend - In Katrina's wake, A's coach Washington moved by donation
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com

OAKLAND -- When Jason Giambi found out that A's third base coach Ron Washington had lost both his house and his mother's house during Hurricane Katrina, he decided he wanted to help his old friend.

Oakland players had already started collecting money to help their coach, putting together about $9,000 to start. Giambi more than doubled that himself, adding $20,000 to the fund.

"Nothing surprises me about Jason; he's a very generous individual," Torre said. "He cares for people a great deal."

Washington was Giambi's coach when he played for the A's, throwing batting practice to the former AL MVP on a regular basis.

Giambi and Washington spoke briefly this weekend while the Yankees were in Oakland, and the conversation turned emotional. Washington, who has 16 relatives that fled New Orleans for Alabama after the storm, was very moved by Giambi's gesture.

"I asked how his family was doing, because I know he's from that area, and he said they pretty much lost everything," Giambi said. "I've known Wash longer than most of those kids in that clubhouse, so it was something I felt I wanted to do.

"He couldn't even speak; he couldn't stop crying," added Giambi. "He almost got me going. He's an incredible man. He was pretty choked up."

Mark Feinsand is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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