PHOENIX — Jason Giambi is watching the chaos of the New York Yankees' training camp from afar for the first time in eight years, and he's impressed with what he's seen from his former teammate Alex Rodriguez.

Giambi, who was among the first major leaguers to acknowledge his involvement in steroid use with an indirect apology at Yankees' spring training in 2005, credited Rodriguez for being forthright this week when he discussed his use of performance-enhancing drugs at a news conference with about 200 reporters.

"Everybody wants to divide Alex out like there's some tension but he's a good teammate," Giambi said from the Oakland Athletics' training camp on Thursday. "I don't know what everybody expected but he did a good job and I applaud him for it. It's not an easy thing to do. I know, I've been through it. He cares and I hope to see him do well."

Looking relaxed and sporting growth on his chin that was forbidden in his seven ringless years in New York, Giambi also said that he would testify if called in the Barry Bonds case and that he hadn't read Joe Torre's book.

Giambi said he had a great relationship with Torre.

"All 25 guys got along in New York," Giambi said. "That was what we had to do. I had a great time and a lot of fun there. In New York, there was always something going on. There were 55,000 fans in the stands every night and it was fun to be a rock star. That's what it felt like. It's also fun playing here. You have a camaraderie in a different way in a smaller market."

Giambi joked with teammates and coaches as he went through drills at Papago Park for the first time since leaving Oakland after the 2001 season.

"It's kind of like coming home," he said. "I'm like the new guy coming back. I had to acclimate myself back into things. It felt good."

Giambi, a .308 career hitter with the A's, said he would take on whatever role the team needs.

"I've seen a lot of these teams and a lot of guys in the bigs," he said. "When I was in Oakland, there was Eck, (Rickey) Henderson, McGwire and I'd pick those guys brains all the time. They really helped my learning curve to become a superstar. It was cool today when I first walked through the door, guys were excited for me to be here. I told them I won't do balloons and stuff like that. I don't do parties and shows, but we'll have fun and go out to dinner."

A five-time All-Star and 2000 AL MVP with the A's, Giambi left New York ranked 10th on the Yankees' all-time home run list with 209. He's also 10th on the A's all-time list with 187.

Now that the left-handed batter won't be aiming at the short porch in right field at the new Yankee Stadium for 81 games, he's going to work on getting back to his old way of hitting.

"I used to hit the ball the other way," he said. "I want to be a more complete hitter, get my average up. Hopefully we can take the pressure off the pitchers and give them a cushion every night so they don't feel like they need to throw a shutout every time."