Girardi Deserves His Due
By Mike Silva ~ September 27th, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Joe Girardi was no shoo-in to make it through this season. Personally, I thought his uptight style and bullpen mismanagement reeked of Willie Randolph. We all know how well that worked across town. Now just a few months later Girardi has answered all his detractors and brought the AL East back to the Bronx for the first time since 2006.
Some will say it was easy considering he was given the best free agent hitter and pitcher this offseason. There is truth to that, but right off the bat General Joe was tested with the A-Rod steroid scandal and then subsequent hip injury. Early in the season he had the New York adjustment period for Sabathia and Teixeira, a porous bullpen, and an offense that looked old. It wasn’t that long ago that it appeared the Yankees would never win a game against the Red Sox. The 2008 version of Girardi would have made things worse, but this year he kept the faith in his ballclub and was rewarded. In short he loosened up a little bit and was given a lot back. Since May 8th, ironically A-Rod’s return, the Yankees are 45 games over .500.
The real test begins now. Can he bring home #27 to the Bronx? Although the Yankees have won 9 of 10 against Boston these teams are still very evenly matched. Remember, they split 18 games this season. First the business of the ALDS and either Detroit or Minnesota.
Let’s not forget to give due to the man who kept the ship steady even when things got tumultuous early in the season. Girardi proved us all wrong.
