Rivera ‘surprised’ Girardi not retained

HOUSTON — From Torre to Girardi to Rivera? No Mo. “I was thinking about it,” Mariano Rivera said with a laugh Saturday night at Minute Maid Park, “but no.”

The Yankees’ legendary closer never figured as a serious candidate to succeed his former manager, Joe Girardi. He did, however, express his gratitude to Girardi, who caught his first save in 1996, managed his last save in 2013 and saw plenty in between.

“I was surprised [by the Yankees’ dismissal of Girardi],” Rivera said. “I definitely was surprised, especially [since] Joe did a great job managing the team for so many years and especially this year.

“But it’s a business. I wish the best to Joe, my friend, my manager, my teammate. The New York Yankees, the orga- nization, I always will be a Yankee. I know the Yankees will try to get the best manager who’s going to bring the championship back home.”

In light of Girardi receiving criticism (most notably from Rivera’s ex-teammate, Mark Teixeira) about being too intense and about that intensity negatively impacting young players, Rivera said, “I think that Joe was fair to everybody. To the youngsters and obviously to the veterans.

“The veterans would be the ones who would help you to guide all these youngsters. That’s the reason sometimes managers have a greater relationship with the old guys than with the youngsters. That doesn’t mean that Joe put the youngsters to the side. He was always there for them. I was a witness of that. He definitely was great.”

Asked what it was like playing for Girardi, Rivera said, “Oh my god. To describe playing for Joe, it was fun.”

As for Girardi managing somewhere else, “I don’t see why not,” Rivera said. “It’s up to him. Joe, he will do what’s best for him and his family.”

Brandon Morrow has been spectacular for the Dodgers in relief. He appeared in his 11th game this postseason Saturday night in the Dodgers’ 6-2 win over the Astros, the most by a Dodger in a single postseason. He went 1 ¹/3 innings and did not allow a hit.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Morrow will be available again Sunday night and pointed out the new thought in baseball is to go to relievers before there is trouble brewing, even if it means taking the starter out early.