24 hours after Joe Girardi expressed remorse for the biggest managerial gaffe in his career, the Yankees’ skipper has begun to wonder if he’ll be employed by the franchise next season.
“I think an organization has to do what they’re comfortable with, right?” Girardi told Randy Miller of NJ.com prior to the Yankees’ ALDS Game 3 matchup with the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night. “You may not always agree with the person that is either being fired or however it goes, but that’s [Yankees’ owner] Hal [Steinbrenner] and [general manager] Brian [Cashman’s] decision, and whatever their decision is I’ll live with.”
According to reports, Girardi, who’s managed the Yankees to 10 consecutive winning seasons, will soon sit down with his family to discuss his future in baseball, as his contract with New York expires this winter.
“Those are things that I handle at the end of the season,” Girardi said. “I’ve always been a guy that’s sat down and talked to my family first. I owe that to my wife and my children, so in saying that, [my contract] is the least of my concerns right now. My biggest concern is to win a game tonight and we can worry about that when the time comes.
“We talk about what’s best for the group of five because obviously in my life my family is always going to come first and I have to do what’s best for them.”
Girardi understands that the fanbase is divided on his worthiness to return as manager, and that his latest blunder might have tarnished his reputation.
“You hope it doesn’t come to that,” Girardi said. “There’s a lot of people that are upset with me and that’s part of [my job] and that’s something that I have to deal with. The only thing I can do is give my best to this team… moving forward. And that’s what I’ll do.”
Girardi, who’s been in Major League Baseball as both a player (1989-2003) and manager (2006, 2008-present), was asked by reporters if he has any professional aspirations outside of managing.
“I mean, there’s some dream jobs that I’ll never get to do,” Girardi said. “I think it would be fun to be in some different positions in the game. I do enjoy managing. I really enjoy the competition, the relationships. I enjoy watching people have success. And that’s all part of it, but again [my family] makes a lot of sacrifices so I can do this, and that’s why I need to talk to them first.”
With the Yankees on the brink of elimination, right-hander Masahiro Tanaka is scheduled to oppose Indians’ Carlos Carrasco, with first pitch set for 7:38 p.m.
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