By RONALD BLUM
AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When Joe Girardi left the dugout every few
minutes to switch relievers against the Angels, some wondered
whether he was getting paid per pitching change.
When he left slumping Nick Swisher in the lineup, he was
criticized. When he put in a pinch runner for Alex Rodriguez,
his judgment was questioned. Now, his decision to go with a
three-man rotation in the World Series is hotly debated.
In a sport filled with second-guessing, no one is analyzed more
than the manager of the New York Yankees. Especially the manager
who succeeded Joe Torre.
"Anything involving the Yankees is going to be scrutinized, is
going to be looked upon, is going to be dissected," team
president Randy Levine said Wednesday. "In any position such as
that, it takes time to really feel comfortable. And it took Joe
very little time."
From his very first day in spring training last year, it was
clear Girardi's Yankees would be different from Torre's, the
shift not only in generations but in style.
Instead of holding a cup of green tea, Girardi gripped a banana.
Instead of a Daily Racing Form on his desk, there was a silver
Blackberry, a black ThinkPad laptop, sunflower seeds and a
health drink. His crew cut gave him a no-nonsense appearance,
and he kept to a schedule with the precise punctuality of the
German train system.
And yet there was some letting loose, too. He threw a little
batting practice - to 8-year-old daughter Serena, who followed
with a cartwheel, and 6-year-old Dante, who then put on the
catcher's gear. Lena Girardi, then just 17 months old, toddled
around in a blue batting helmet.
There were growing pains for dad throughout 2008, especially as
the Yankees faded from contention and their streak of
consecutive playoff appearances ended at 13. Reporters felt he
withheld information, especially about injuries.
Torre became a beloved figure when he managed the Yankees to
four World Series titles from 1996-00, deflecting criticism with
his stories of Bob Gibson and the good ol' days. Even though he
failed to win another championship during his final seven
seasons, Torre left a huge shadow that Girardi stepped into.
"I think it would have been somewhat difficult for any manager
to do, because he was here for so long - the relationships that
he had with the players, the media, with everyone involved.
Obviously, I understood that going in," Girardi said when spring
training began this year. "It wasn't going to be easy to replace
him. I never tried to replace him. I just tried to be myself."
As they ran wind sprints on hot Florida mornings, players
quickly noticed the shift.
"He's going to be a little tougher on us than we got it in the
past," catcher Jorge Posada said.
Girardi was voted NL Manager of the Year in 2006, receiving the
honor after the Florida Marlins fired him following his only
season. Despite keeping a team with 22 rookies in contention
until September, he didn't get along with owner Jeffrey Loria.
"You learn a lot about people. You learn a lot about how to wear
different hats, what relationships mean and the importance of
doing everything in your willpower to get the most out of your
players, no matter what it really takes," Girardi said.
A catcher who won three titles with Torre's Yankees from
1996-99, Girardi beat out Don Mattingly to become Torre's
successor two years ago. Unlike Torre, he doesn't face daily
criticism from owner George Steinbrenner, whose role has
diminished in recent years as his health has declined.
"How I would have handled the pressure, I can't tell you,
because I was never in his shoes," Girardi said. "I think for
me, pressures always came from within, because I want it really
bad. I want it for the organization, I want it for Mr.
Steinbrenner and his family, and I want it for the guys in that
room."
And in the playoffs, the glare has intensified, especially
following losses to the Angels and Phillies. "YOU BETTER BE
RIGHT," the back page headline of the Daily News read Wednesday,
referring to his three-man rotation.
"That pretty much happens a lot here in New York during the
regular season, as well, so you get kind of used to it," he said
before Game 6. "The interesting thing about what people were
calling second guessing that I've always thought is curious is
they don't know if their idea would have worked."
In at least one way, Girardi admits the Philadelphia Phillies
have his number. When he became manager, Girardi took uniform
No. 27, putting the quest for the Yankees' 27th title right on
his back. He had worn No. 25 as a player with the Yankees and
manager of the Marlins, and No. 52 as a New York coach (Jason
Giambi had No. 25 at the time).
If the Yankees win the World Series, will he switch over the No.
28, last used by Shelley Duncan late in the season?
"I really haven't thought a whole lot about that. I'm sure my
kids would have recommendations what my uniform number should
be," Girardi said. "I don't like to think too far ahead."
There has been some sadness along the path. His father Jerry was
diagnosed with Alzheimer's more than a decade ago and the two,
who shared clubhouse celebrations in Joe's playing days, haven't
really been able to celebrate together his achievements thus far
as the successor of Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy and Casey
Stengel.
He's not sure his dad is even aware he's managing in the World
Series.
"I got a few words out of him," Joe Girardi said. "There's a
glimmer of hope."
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