Girardi’s put old job behind him, and
If Joe Girardi has any lingering bitterness or feels any sting from his divorce with the Yankees, he said he has put those emotions in the rearview mirror. It also doesn’t hurt that the former Bombers skipper has a shiny, new job with the MLB Network, which the network announced Wednesday.
“I’ve really tried to put it behind me, because I understand I could probably think about this for a long period of time, but it really doesn’t do me any good,” said Girardi, when asked on a conference call if he is still surprised he isn’t the Yankees manager. “I need to move on with my life. You need to grow as a person. I’ve probably been through all those moments.”
The 27-time World Series champion Bombers and general manager Brian Cashman declined to bring Girardi back last year after his contract expired, and instead hired Aaron Boone – the 2003 Yankee ALCS hero – to lead the roster of Baby Bombers and veterans in what fans hope will be another ride up the Canyon of Heroes this fall. Boone has no prior managerial or coaching experience.
Girardi wanted to return to the Yankee dugout for 2018 — he said he checked with his family to make sure they were “all in” – but the organization decided otherwise. Girardi won one championship, in 2009, during his 10-year tenure as Yankees skipper. Last season, the team came within one win of advancing to the World Series.
“For every manager, the biggest thing that you have to do, you have to find out what your niche is and then you have to be able to delegate,” said Girardi, when asked what Boone’s biggest challenge will be in his rookie year managing. “I don’t know Aaron Boone that well. There’s a lot that comes with being a New York Yankees manager. He’s a bright man, understands the game.”
Girardi said he had not reached out to Boone since the former ESPN analyst got hired in the Bronx, and Girardi also added that no other clubs with managerial vacancies approached him for an interview. But Girardi made it clear he still expects to manage again in the future. “I would like to, yes,” said Girardi, who was the Marlins skipper in 2006.
The team Boone inherited from Girardi has improved dramatically since Girardi got the boot, with slugger Giancarlo Stanton donning pinstripes after being traded from the Marlins. Baby Bombers Miguel Andujar and top prospect Gleyber Torres are also waiting in the wings, and Girardi said he could see both infielders cracking the big leagues in 2018.
“I think it’s possible. Obviously we got to see Andujar a little bit last year. Gleyber unfortunately got hurt