ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ONE YEAR LATER, GIAMBI NOW ENJOYING HIS SEASON.

Byline: Joe Haakenson Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - Only a year ago, Jason Giambi's world seemed to be crashing down on him. Injuries and illness contributed to his worst season in the majors in 2004, then in December of last year the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Yankees' first baseman/designated hitter testified to a federal grand jury he used steroids and human growth hormone.

The Yankees reportedly tried to find a way to void the remaining $80 million of Giambi's contract, but ultimately figured they were stuck with him.

Now, Giambi is hitting third in what is arguably baseball's most intimidating lineup. After a slow start, he hit .271 with 32 homers and 87 RBIs, and he had two hits and an RBI in Game 1 of the American League Division Series Tuesday night.

``I think the last couple of years have been tough for Jason,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. ``He had some injury problems during the 2003 World Series with us, and last year was a nightmare for him, and all winter, basically.

``I think right now he's really enjoying himself. He's probably enjoying himself more than anybody else if you go back more than 12 months and see where he was over the last year or so. He's worked hard, it's not something that just happened to drop on his doorstep. It's something he's been working for and trying to work through, both emotionally and physically.''

--Colon's a 'long shot': Bartolo Colon is the odds-on favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award, but Angels manager Mike Scioscia said ``it's a real long shot'' that he will bring Colon back on three days' rest to start Game 4 of the ALDS on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

``We're really counting on good games from Paul (Byrd in Game 3) and Wash (Jarrod Washburn in Game 4),'' Scioscia said. ``For Bart to come back on three days would be a stretch, not that we wouldn't consider it.''

Colon's final start of the regular season, Sept. 29 in Oakland, came on three days' rest. And though Colon got his 21st victory, Scioscia said Colon wasn't ``crisp.'' Colon has been bothered by sore back the second half of the season.

--Up to the challenge: Facing Randy Johnson in Game 3 on Friday presents a tall order for the Angels, but Scioscia doesn't see it as anything above and beyond what's normal this time of year.

``All their starters are throwing well, Randy included,'' Scioscia said. ``(Mike) Mussina, (Chien-Ming) Wang, (Shawn) Chacon, they've been very effective the last month to get to this point. Whether it happens to be Randy or another pitcher, the challenge is real.''

Johnson is 15-6 with a 2.93 ERA in 29 career starts against the Angels, but is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts against them this season.

--In defense of Anderson: Scioscia defended Garret Anderson after the Angels' left fielder was criticized for not catching Robinson Cano's three-run double in the first inning of Game 1. Anderson was told to play shallow by Angels coaches, and Cano hit the ball over Anderson's head.

``It's all positioning,'' Scioscia said. ``Garret ran a great route and was running well, the ball just beat us to the gap. When Garret's healthy he's a good outfielder, and he's healthy now.''

--Slight change: The Angels' lineup was the same Wednesday for Game 2, with one flip-flop in the batting order. Bengie Molina moved up to fifth and bumped Darin Erstad down to sixth. Erstad struck out in his first three at-bats Tuesday before getting an RBI single in the ninth.

``Bengie's really been swinging the bat well the last month, and it takes pressure off Ersty trying to hit behind Vlad (Guerrero),'' Scioscia said. ``There's a lot of pressure in that position. You know Ersty, he's very demanding of himself. He expects himself to rise to the occasion and be the guy.''

--Also: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was a guest in Angels owner Arte Moreno's suite for Wednesday's game. ... The Angels are Yankees are off today to travel to New York. Game 3 is Friday at 5 p.m.