Girardi fired from Yankees
NEW YORK — Joe Girardi was fired as New York Yankees manager Thursday after a decade that produced just one World Series title for a team that expects to win every year.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman announced the move five days after New York lost to Houston in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series.
“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 agent, Steven Mandell. “I’d like to thank the fans for their great support as a player, coach and manager and the lasting memories of their passion and excitement during the playoff games.”
An intense and driven former All-Star catcher, Girardi was at the end of his four-year contract and said last weekend he had to speak with his family before deciding whether he wanted to return. New York made the decision for him.
“Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we’ve decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position,” Cashman said in a statement.
Girardi’s 910-710 regular-season record with the Yankees is sixth in victories managing the team behind Joe McCarthy (1,460), Joe Torre (1,173), Casey Stengel (1,149), Miller Huggins (1,067) and Ralph Houk (944).
Cashman said he and owner Hal Steinbrenner had spoken directly with Girardi this week.
“He has a tireless work ethic, and put his heart into every game he managed over the last decade,” Cashman said. “He should take great pride in our accomplishments during his tenure.”
New York became the third of the 10 postseason teams to remove managers, joining Boston and Washington. There is no clear favorite to replace him, and candidates from within the organization could include bench coach Rob Thomson, Triple-A Scranton manager Al Pedrique and Class A Tampa manager Jay Bell.
Willis to lead Indians’ pitchers
The Cleveland Indians have hired Carl Willis as their pitching coach to replace Mickey Callaway, who left to manage the New York Mets.
Willis is back for his second stint with the club. He served as Cleveland’s pitching coach from 2003-09, when he tutored Cy Young pitchers CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee among others.
The 56-year-old Willis spent the past two seasons with the Boston Red Sox.