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.