I always got a kick out of Girardi’s dustups with umpires, so I thought the above photo was a fitting way to say goodbye. Was I surprised that the Yankees decided not to renew his contract? No. And not because of the postseason blunders, but rather because 10 years managing the Yankees is a long time. What’s more, Hal is all about cost-cutting, and a new contract for Girardi would have been expensive. And maybe he wasn’t beloved by the players, who am I to say? He wasn’t as tight with Cashman as he used to be, that I know, so maybe that figured into the decision.
In any case, I thank him for bringing the 2017 team farther than anyone predicted they’d go. I thank him for his dedication and work ethic. And I wish him well. (Prediction: he’ll land with the Nationals.)
Who will replace Girardi? Someone less expensive. Someone within the organization, perhaps. Someone younger. Someone deemed to be able to handle a major market like New York with its media demands. Someone who can work with both veterans and the big corps of young players we have. Of course, by the time I finish typing this, someone may already have been hired.
To sum up, change is good, I think. I’m okay with this decision.
I feel a little bad for Joe. He managed some pretty mediocre teams the past few years, but always kept the Yankees competitive. Now we have a good team, and he gets let go. I think he did a better job then he gets credit for. It’s hard to imagine someone else there. But then again, it was hard for me to imagine someone other then Joe Torre at the helm, so I am sure I’ll adjust. I was thinking he would land with the Nationals also. If he even wants to manage again.
Having a hard time being interested in the World Series. I understand it’s great and both teams are great, but if the Yankees aren’t involved, eh. I have other things going on in life.
I’m not sure Joe even wanted to keep managing, Darren. He kept saying he needed to talk to his family. Maybe he was exhausted from it all. I agree that he managed well overall, but like Farrell and Dusty Baker, two other managers who got their teams to the postseason, it wasn’t enough for management to keep him. Kind of stinks, but as I wrote, I think change is good. I couldn’t imagine life without Torre and then I could. The same will be true after Girardi. I haven’t watched the WS because even though I prefer the Dodgers, I’ve had enough of the Astros to last a lifetime!