I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t always listened to my mother.

Now, what mama says, goes.

Trust me, my backside will attest to that.

My mother would borrow my father’s thick, brown University of Alabama belt to make her point. I’m not saying I was beaten as a child, but I still have the letters B-A-M-A tattooed on my backside.

I believe if a child does something wrong, they should be punished for it. The punishment should fit the crime.

But when it came to being sick, I always listened to my mother.

Why do you think all the over-the-counter medicine companies use mother figures in their commercials?

Does the slogan, &uot;Dr. Mom&uot; ring a bell?

Despite some criticism, New York Yankees first baseman and power hitter Jason Giambi has placed himself on the bench during several games this season due to a reoccurring illness that has plagued him most of the season.

I’m sure Giambi, like anybody, was scared when the talks of cancer and other serious illnesses were brought up. And I’m almost positive he called his mother for reassurance and comfort.

If I was feeling run down all the time, especially if I was an in shape athlete, I would be scared. Not to mention, I would drive myself crazy if I couldn’t get any answers from physicians.

It was later found out that Giambi has an intestinal parasite of some sort. That’s got to be scary as well.

It’s a good thing Giambi used as much caution because now his trainer is mentioning the possibility the parasite could be potentially fatal. He’ll know the results of the many tests he has underwent by mid-week.

Critics are now comparing Giambi’s current statistics to his 2000 stats when he was selected as American League Most Valuable Player. Giambi is currently hitting .221 with 11 homers and 36 RBI.

Why are critics even mentioning his stats?

I have news for those critics. Giambi will quite possibly have his worst season ever and probably the worst of his career this year. He’s scared and isn’t worried about baseball.

Trust me, I would not be worried about work either. That’s right, baseball maybe fun, but it’s work to Giambi.

I don’t know if the ailing slugger rushed to his mother or not, but I know I would have. I don’t care if I’ve just got a stomach virus or the flu, I’m calling momma immediately.

I don’t care how old I am, I’ll always listen to mama.

Adam Prestridge is sports editor of The Greenville Advocate. He can be reached at 382-3111, ext. 122 or by e-mail: adam.prestridge@greenvilleadvocate.com