CLEVELAND -- Jason Giambi pulled the red-and-blue block "C" cap off the hook in his locker, slipped it on and worked the bill, bending it to his exacting standards. Kyle Seager Jersey . Everything had to be just right. "Time to get that first one in," he said. After missing Clevelands first 18 games recovering from broken rib, Giambi was activated from the disabled Monday and was to make his season debut in the opener of a four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Giambi was batting seventh. Indians manager Terry Francona was thrilled to have him anywhere in his lineup. "Im really glad," Francona said. "He means a lot to what we do. If he wants to hit a homer or two today, thats welcome. But having him back is real good. Hes one of the more special people that weve all been around, so to have him back fighting with us is a good thing." The 43-year-old Giambi is in his second season with the Indians, who werent sure what they were getting when they signed him to a minor league contract before the 2013 season. And although Giambi batted only .183 in 71 games, he provided invaluable leadership in Clevelands clubhouse and produced a few spine-tingling moments, none bigger than a game-ending pinch-homer on Sept. 24 that beat the Chicago White Sox. The win came during a 10-game winning streak that put the Indians in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. "That moment is what keeps me coming back," Giambi said. "You dont forget those. Those are special. What made it great was the time it happened and how hard we worked. And if that game gets away -- ... It was special. It gave everybody a taste of that finish, to go to the playoffs and be a part of it." With Giambi returning, Francona juggled his lineup, giving backup catcher and cleanup hitter Carlos Santana the night off. Lonnie Chisenhall started at third and batted fourth. Francona noticed Santana lunging at pitches Sunday and thought he could use a mental break. "I thought it would be good for him because hes starting to chase some balls out of the zone," he said. "I thought he was getting a little anxious. Hes always had that volatile swing, and he stays in the zone so well, but yesterday I thought he started chasing. So I thought I would give him a night to kind of take it easy." Giambis return gave Francona another offensive weapon, a needed one for a team thats struggled offensively. "Its a big, powerful lefty bat who can change the score with one swing," Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis said. "He just adds a confidence to the rest of the lineup." Giambi has become something of a big-brother figure to many of the younger Indians. After he finished dressing for batting practice, Giambi walked past Kipnis locker and reminded him that time was running short. "You got three minutes, kid," Giambi yelled to Kipnis, who said his older teammates contributions go way beyond hitting home runs. "People just feed off his positive energy and the experience he has," Kipnis said. "He just makes you feel more comfortable. Youre more relaxed knowing hes on your side. You can go to him with anything." Yonder Alonso Jersey .C. -- Clemson celebrated a senior class Saturday that brought the program back as a national contender. Robinson Cano Jersey . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota (5): He was calm, poised, and looked comfortable all game. http://www.baseballmarinersofficial.com/felix-hernandez-jersey-c-5/ . A steady downpour and low temperatures were predicted for much of the night. No makeup date was immediately announced, although it was determined that the game will not be part of a doubleheader on Wednesday.DENVER - Jarome Iginla felt a little more youthful on his 37th birthday even as he became the old man of the Colorado Avalanche. Hes energized by the challenge of not only trying to keep up with the likes of speedy forward Nathan MacKinnon, who is half Iginlas age, but also of helping this rising squad take another step in its growth. "I dont want to be arrogant, but I still believe I can be very good," said Iginla, who celebrated his birthday Tuesday by signing a three-year, $16 million deal with Colorado. "And this is a dynamic group. I think they work hard and theyre committed, and theyre just going to keep getting better and better." The Avs are coming off a season in which they tied a franchise record with 52 wins in Patrick Roys first year behind the bench and returned to the post-season for the first time since 2009-10. Among their top priorities in the off-season? Adding some grizzled veterans to the squad. First, the team picked up veteran forward Daniel Briere from Montreal for right wing P.A. Parenteau and a fifth-round pick in next years draft. Then, Colorado acquired defenceman Brad Stuart from the San Jose Sharks for a second-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-rounder in 2017. On Tuesday afternoon, shortly after losing fan favourite Paul Stastny in free agency — he signed a four-year, $28 million deal with division rival St. Louis — the Avs worked out a deal with Iginla. It wasnt a laborious task, especially given the friendship between Iginla and Avalanche Hall of Famer turned executive Joe Sakic. The two have been tight since their days with Team Canada and when Sakic made his pitch, Iginla intently listened. Then again, one of Iginlas kids is named Joe at least in part because of Sakic. "(Sakic) is a winner so it definitely had something to do with this," Iginla said. Iginla has played in 1,310 regular season games with Calgary, Pittsburgh and Boston. He had 30 goals in 78 games for the Bruins last season. "Jaromes track record speaks for itself," Sakic said. "He is one of the top goal scorers of all time, as well as a great leader. His additiion will bolster our offence. Yovani Gallardo Jersey. " As for being the elder statesman of the team, Iginla just laughed. "I feel good," said Iginla, whos earned two Olympic gold medals with Canada. "As far as my game dropping off, I dont think it will. ... I dont come here expecting to do less." He joins a team that captured a surprise Central Division crown. The turnaround of the Avalanche led to quite a few post-season awards, too, with Roy taking home coach of the year, MacKinnon being named the top rookie and Ryan OReilly capturing the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for gentlemanly play. Semyon Varlamov also was a finalist for outstanding goaltender, which went to Tuukka Rask of Boston. Sakic was hoping to return the nucleus for another run, but wasnt about to break the bank to make that happen. Sakic said two weeks ago the team had a salary structure in place, setting the financial bar in deals with Varlamov, Matt Duchene and captain Gabriel Landeskog. These days, Sakic is attempting to work out a long-term deal with OReilly, a restricted free agent who led the team with a career-high 28 goals in 2013-14. In the meantime, Sakic orchestrated a deal to add the 34-year-old Stuart in order to bring more tenacity to the Avalanches blue line. He was third on the Sharks in blocked shots (114) and hits (122) last season. Stuart may be called upon to mentor defenceman Nick Holden, who signed a three-year extension that runs through the 2017-18 season. Briere is another scorer who could help offset the loss of Stastny. Iginla likes the additions of Stuart and Briere. "Its kind of neat to join a new team, but also having other guys in the same boat and get to come in together," Iginla said. "Thats pretty cool." One of the enduring images in Avalanche history is Sakic passing the Stanley Cup over to Ray Bourque for him to hoist after their win in 2001. See Landeskog doing the same for Iginla one day? "Thats a hope," Iginla said. "These guys, theyre driven. I think there are lots of good things already happening." ___ AP Hockey Writer Larry Lage contributed. China Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Wholesale Jerseys 2018 Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys 2020 NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys China ' ' '