SORRY JOE... YA GOTTA GO!
Girardi kicked to curb after 10-year Bx. run
IT WAS time for Joe to go.
In the end, that was the sentiment from Brian Cashman to Hal Steinbrenner, who ultimately signed off on the GM’s recommendation that a managerial change was needed.
And so Joe Girardi is officially out after a decade as skipper of the Yankees — including a World Series title in 2009. Girardi, 53, averaged 91 wins per season and never had a losing record.
However, over time, the relationship between Girardi and Cashman had frayed, sources said. Both were on expiring contracts, though Cashman is a virtual lock to return. Girardi was in the final year of a four-year, $16 million deal.
In recent days, rumors swirled as many in the organization went silent. Girardi and Cashman were both seen leaving Yankee Stadium within minutes of each other early Wednesday afternoon. A day later, the news of their separation was official. According to sources, Cashman made up his mind on the change Wednesday, but wanted to sleep on it.
“With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back,” Girardi said in a statement released by his Chicago-based agent Steven Mandell. “I’d like to thank the Steinbrenner family for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity. I would like to thank Brian Cashman and his staff for hiring me and always trying to improve the team.”
Girardi had been at the helm since 2008, the final year at the old Yankee Stadium. He finished 910-710 in the Bronx. He wasn’t always the best at dealing with the media, and he may not have had the best relationship with his players, but he did win — a lot.
“I want to thank Joe for his 10 years of hard work and service to this organization,” Cashman said in a statement. “Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we’ve decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position.
“As Hal Steinbrenner and I mentioned to Joe directly this week, he has been a tremendous Yankee on the field and away from it, as a player, coach and manager. He has a tireless work ethic, and put his heart into every game he managed over the last decade. He should take great pride in our accomplishments during his tenure, and I wish Joe and his family nothing but success and happiness in the future.”
The next manager — and you can bet Cashman already has candidates in mind — will likely be both analytically and clubhouse-savvy. He’ll also inherit a roster loaded with young talents like Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Greg Bird and Luis Severino. The farm system is deep, with prospects like Gleyber Torres, Miguel Andujar, Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield knocking at the door. And come 2019, the Bombers will have a ton of salary cap space to spend on potential free agents like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Clayton Kershaw (if he opts out).
With all of that comes a lot of pressure to deliver immediate results. Internal candidates could include Rob Thomson, Tony Pena, Josh Paul, Tim Naehring, Al Pedrique and Jay Bell. Kevin Long, a candidate for the Mets managerial job before it went to Mickey Callaway, is the Bombers’ former hitting coach and could also be a possibility.
Girardi had spoken about talking with his family regarding his future at season’s end. His lowest moment came in Game 2 of the ALDS, when he faltered by failing to challenge a controversial potential strike-three call, which led to his team collapsing and falling into an 0-2 hole in Cleveland. A ton of criticism followed, forcing Girardi to admit he’d made a mistake, something that rarely if ever had happened before.
But the Yankees rallied to win three straight and advance to the ALCS, where they lost to Houston in seven, falling one win shy of the World Series. And for Girardi, that proved to be the end in pinstripes.
“He was a great manager,” Todd Frazier, the midseason trade acquisition who played a pivotal role in the Bombers postseason push, told the Daily News. “I enjoyed playing for him. He’ll be missed. I hope the best for him.”
If he does want to continue
managing, the Nationals have a vacancy and a contending roster. If not, Girardi could go the TV route or try to get a position in the league office, given his love of the game and all its rules and regulations.
Girardi ranks sixth in regular season wins in Yankees history behind Joe McCarthy (1,460), Joe Torre (1,173), Casey Stengel (1,149), Miller Huggins (1.067) and Ralph Houk (944).
He made his managerial debut in 2006 with the Marlins, but was fired after a single season despite winning the NL Manager of the Year award.
A key piece of the Yankees’ 1996 title team, Girardi spent four seasons as a catcher with the Bombers as part of a 15-year big-league career. One of his biggest moments as a player came in Game 6 of the ‘96 World Series — 21 years ago Thursday — when Girardi hit an RBI triple off Greg Maddux in the Yankees’ titleclinching, 3-2 victory over the Braves.
Girardi, an Illinois native, was drafted by the Cubs in 1986, playing his first of four seasons with Chicago in 1989. He was traded to the Yankees after three seasons with the expansion Colorado Rockies ahead of the 1996 season.
After winning three titles in pinstripes, Girardi returned to the Cubs for another three seasons, making the All-Star team in 2000. He finished his playing career with a short stint with the Cardinals in 2003.
Girardi went back to the Bronx in 2005, making his coaching debut as bench coach on Torre’s staff.