After much thought … Joe must go.
That was the bottom-line message of Brian Cashman’s statement. “I want to thank Joe for 10 years of hard work and service to the organization”. “Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we have decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position.” Brian complimented Joe on his “tireless work ethic” congratulated him by saying “he should take great pride in our accomplishments during his tenure, and I wish Joe and his family nothing but success and happiness in the future.”
With that announcement, Joe Girardi’s Yankee managerial book (binder) was closed.
To the surprise of most, including Girardi himself, Joe was not offered a new contract. The question becomes … why ? Was it because of the non-challenge of a key play in game 2 of the ALDS game in Cleveland?
UPON FURTHER REVIEW:
The non-review was not the start of the rift between Joe and Cashman. Brian in his own words said “Everything the organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration..”. Yes, Joe made a mistake not challenging a play that cost the team a win in the ALDS but they came back from 0-2 to win that series vs. the team with the best record in the A.L. Many felt the 102 win Cleveland Indians were the best team in baseball this year. In fact the Yankees got to within one win of the WS, giving the 101 win Houston Astros all they could handle. So the question again is .. why did Cashman decide previously that he would recommend to Hal Steinbrenner not to bring back Girardi ?
Did Brian Cashman make such a crucial decision because he wanted someone …
Younger? Maybe but my gut says .. No. Joe is 53 years old, in phenomenal shape, and as competitive as ever. Cashman specifically mentioned his “tireless work ethic”.
More dependent on Analytics ? Possibly…..but Girardi was criticized by some for being “Binder Joe” and too dependent on analytics.
Here’s my concern : I hope this is not about Joe being too hard on some of the players. More specifically, I hope this is not all about Girardi criticizing Gary Sanchez. Here is the column I wrote on the topic back in August. One of the things I like best about baseball in general, compared to the other pro sports, is that the players do not rule. We know on the field “Judge Rules”. Let’s hope when it comes to off the field & in the locker-room , it’s the manager and not Sanchez who rules.
When the Yankees were eliminated in game 7 of the ALCS, it was painful, but there was also such a feel-good vibe to the young team and what they accomplished, mainly because the perception was that the team got along well and the future was so bright. The future is still bright, but the feel-good aspect of the team is in question due to the managerial uncertainty. Keep in mind that in the 10 years under Girardi the Yankees had more wins (910) than any other team in MLB. The organization says they won’t announce who their next manager will be until after the conclusion of the World Series.
28? WE HAVE TO WAIT:
The World Series ends tonight. There is nothing more exciting than a game 7. Historians have noted that this is the first WS that has gone the distance to a decisive game between two 100 win teams since 1931. It is an epic Series between the Dodgers & Astros. The Yankees were one game away from getting there. Now we wait to see who will be World Champs & more importantly to Yankee fans, who will replace #28 in the dugout, and lead the Yanks in their quest next year for .. #28 ?
