There are no misperceptions of his intentions. Jason Giambi wants to become the next manager of the Rockies.

He is willing to retire as a player to make this happen. He is willing to work within the framework of baseball’s most unusual infrastructure.

Giambi’s candidacy went from intriguing to legitimate after his impressive interview Thursday. He is expected to have another meeting, likely with general manager Dan O’Dowd and owner Dick Monfort.

The Rockies aren’t even sure they will look at outside candidates anymore, a hint of how seriously they are taking Giambi.

The idea of a veteran player taking over the Rockies without any coaching experience seemed preposterous last February. Jim Tracy was given an indefinite contract extension. It was a handshake deal, guaranteeing only the 2013 season. But nobody figured that Tracy would be gone this month. Disappointing results on the field and a restrictive role going forward led Tracy to walk away rather than accept a $1.4-million check. His move stunned Rockies officials. Hiring Giambi would produce a national shock.

Outside of Colorado, Giambi is still viewed through a kaleidoscope, the life of the party, a tainted slugger who admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs in the BALCO case years ago.

Leader of a fraternity? Yes. Leader of a baseball team? Few saw this coming.

But Giambi has carved out a new reality since joining the Rockies in 2009, changes that have put him in this position. He became a reserve, coming full circle as a player. He has gone from a rookie getting hazed by Oakland’s veterans to the 2000 American League MVP to the object of affection and scorn with the Yankees to a pinch hitter with the Rockies.

During this time, he changed his lifestyle and diet. When he’s surrounded now by empty bottles at night, it’s from feeding his and his wife’s first-born, infant daughter, London. He spent the past three seasons talking strategy and discussing moves with Tracy and bench coach Tom Runnells, who remains a strong candidate for the Rockies’ top spot as well.

Giambi’s story, in many ways, mirrors that of Clint Hurdle, who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a teenager. He lived with fame and disappointment, and when he stopped drinking, he emerged from his Rockies hitting coach job to the manager’s post.

The difference is obvious: Hurdle climbed the rungs in the minor leagues and coaching ranks after his playing career. He worked a variety of roles.

But Giambi is only three years younger than Hurdle was when he took over for Buddy Bell in 2002. What has transpired in Chicago and St. Louis this year makes Giambi’s ascension more feasible. It’s a copycat league, and Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny transitioned seamlessly into the manager’s spot. Ventura led the surprising White Sox to a near playoff berth this season, and Matheny guided the Cardinals back into the NLCS.

There are understandable questions about Giambi, namely whether he can be a disciplinarian with former teammates. Observing him for over three seasons, he clearly has the players’ respect. He provides advice on everything from hitting stances to pitch sequences to how to deal with injuries.

And I have seen his edge. He likes to be liked. But he doesn’t like everything and everyone. He has strong opinions. I believe players would play hard for Giambi, not wanting to let him down or let this experiment fail. He understands pitching through a hitter’s eye. This isn’t a bad thing. Hurdle was like this. He didn’t talk mechanics, but he knew guys’ strengths and which pitches got hitters out. Hiring a veteran pitching coach such as Bob McClure would help in this regard as well.

For an experiment such as this to work, Giambi would have to work in concert with assistant general manager Bill Geivett. The two have had a good relationship. Hiring Giambi, for most teams, would seem like a huge leap in faith.

But the Rockies have narrowed the manager’s responsibilities. He’s responsible for in-game strategy and dealing with the media. In this framework, Giambi should be viewed as a serious candidate.

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck