Jason Giambi decided he had taken his last swing. On Monday Giambi called it quits after 20 Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons and playing for four different clubs, his last being the Cleveland Indians. A five-time All-Star, Giambi is 44 years old and leaves the game with the reputation of being a big-time slugger at the plate.

With career numbers consisting of .277 batting average, 2010 hits, 440 home runs and 1,441 RBI, Giambi’s numbers alone justify at least some consideration for Cooperstown. However, his admitted steroid use earlier in his career will serve as a major blemish on his hall of fame resume, and voters will have to decide on whether or not his steroid stint was major enough to keep him out of the hall of fame.

Being able to continue his career and move forward past those times has not been taken lightly by Giambi. He has said he is grateful that the MLB and fans alike were able to accept him after his admitted to mistakes involving steroid use, and he expressed that gratitude in his retirement announcement:

“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 I am today.”

However, it has been rumored that perhaps Giambi won’t be walking away from the game entirely just yet. Earlier in the year, the Cleveland Indians offered him work in a non-playing role in the event he retired. Although the 44-year-old couldn’t run the bases or play the field well in his later years, he could still swing the bat with tremendous power.

It wouldn’t be crazy to assume he could teach others to do so, as well.

His career offensive capabilities bode well for his potential to be a hitting coach or even a mentor for an MLB ball club, and perhaps this is what the Indians had in mind when they offered him a non-playing position for the team.

Only time will tell what Giambi decides to do. However, he has a chance to remain around baseball beyond his professional playing career, and most likely with the Cleveland Indians. His teachings would undoubtedly be beneficial to a ball club that could use a few more big swings to send them into the playoffs.

Considering how well-liked he has been during his playing tenure with the Tribe, the fans certainly wouldn’t mind having him around for a bit longer, either.