Joe is not returning. He has parted company with th New York Yankees.
Girardi led the Yankees to the World Series in 2009, and took them within one game of returning this season before falling to the Astros in Game 7 of the ALCS. The decision appeared to come from the Yankees side.
“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. “I’d like to thank the Steinbrenner family for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity.”
Girardi’s four-year contract was up after this month, and despite this season’s success his future was undecided. Yankees GM Brian Cashman’s contract is also expiring, but he is fully expected to return.
The Yankees confirmed the news after days of meetings with Girardi and Cashman.
“I want to thank Joe for his 10 years of hard work and service to this organization,” Cashman said in a statement. “Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we’ve decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position.
“As Hal Steinbrenner and I mentioned to Joe directly this week, he has been a tremendous Yankee on the field and away from it, as a player, coach and manager. He has a tireless work ethic, and put his heart into every game he managed over the last decade. 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.”
Girardi, the former Yankees catcher, had been on board since 2008 and finishes his run with a 910-710 record as Yankees manager.
“I would like to thank Brian Cashman and his staff for hiring me and always trying to improve the team. I would like to thank my coaches and support staff for their dedication to always trying to make the players better and get the most out of them,” said Girardi, who thanked countless members of the organization in his goodbye address.
Girardi came under harsh criticism during Game 2 of the ALDS after he opted not to challenge a play that likely cost the Yankees a win against the Indians. The team rallied to advance by winning the final three games and advancing to the ALCS.
“Finally, I’d like to thanks 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, especially the final six games which will remain in my heart forever,” he concluded.
The Yankees will now be late entrants into the process of finding a new manager. The Tigers landed Ron Gardenhire, the Red Sox will get Alex Cora when the World Series is over and the Mets lured Mickey Callaway from the Indians.
Since Cashman has a history of hiring people he is familiar with, the names of Kevin Long and Rob Thomson may prove to be in play.
Long was the Yankees’ hitting coach from 2007-2014 when he was fired with a year left on his contract. He has been the Mets’ hitting coach since 2015. He interviewed for the job Callaway got and is a candidate for the Nationals’ opening.
Thomson has been in the Yankees’ organization for 28 years and has been Girardi’s bench coach for the past four seasons after serving as the third-base coach for six years.
Another name to consider should there be an opening is Pete Mackanin, who was a pro scout for the Yankees in 2013 before coaching third base for the 2014 Phillies. In 2015 Mackanin took over when Ryne Sandberg was fired.
A year later the interim tag was removed and Mackanin signed a three-year deal. This past September the Phillies informed Mackanin he wouldn’t return to the dugout. Instead he was shifted to the front office with one year remaining on his contract.
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