From Bob Klapisch:
But there’s more to managing than simply bodysurfing a winning streak. Girardi looked crisp and in control when the Yankees were mauling the AL a month ago, launching all those crazy comebacks. But now they’re struggling — the Red Sox’ domination of the Bombers is nothing short of humiliating — and Girardi’s confidence has turned to a square-jawed form of desperation.
That’s why A-Rod played every day until he couldn’t bring his bat through the strike zone anymore — and, as he’s hinted, his hip is so stiff. It’s the reason why no one comes to Sabathia’s rescue in the seventh or eighth innings.
It’s because Girardi knows his managerial career will be over if he gets fired by the Yankees. The team is feeling the angst over ticket sales — they failed to sell out the Subway Series and are urgently reminding fans that seats are available for the Red Sox series in August.
I have to strongly disagree with Bob here. Girardi has not changed his managing one bit since the team started losing. He has leaned on CC during good times and bad, and the same can be said about A-Rod. He has said from the start that he would be willing to use Mariano for 4 outs, and did so against the Mets because it was the right tactical move. If anything, the critique on Joe in the past is that sometimes he is too concerned with resting players and usage than winning the game at hand, a criticism that I do not suscribe to. There is no desperation in Joe’s managing, although it would make for a more compelling story if there was.
What do you think? Do you see Joe as acting out of desperation? Have you noticed any changes in his style lately?
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4 Responses to Klapisch: Girardi Managing Scared
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TIQ IQ
I think he is doing just fine. He’s trying to play his best hand. Perhaps with A-Rod he has to re-think things (looks like that is taken care of), but for the most part he seems to be doing a pretty good job at giving our team a chance to win each game.
Too big a deal is being made from a cold streak that happens to all teams. If I recall in May he was the best manager under the sun. The truth is the team is going to go through good stretches and some bad ones and you can’t pin it all on Giardi.
I think Girardi’s been through enough seasons in his career to realize that pennants are won in July and August.
I do think he has to be wondering what’s going to go wrong next.
I was once a fan of Bob Klapisch, but I came to the conclusion a while back that he is a very angry, bitter guy. He seems to take everything that goes on with the Yanks personally, and lashes back with some brutal language.
I know he was a big fan of Torre, and was very upset by how he left the team. But his pieces read like a vendetta, so its hard to view his opinion as being objective.
It is a manager’s job to get the most out of his players. Girardi has failed miserably at this. He often makes exactly the wrong move and it has cost this team many games this season. I was a big supporter of his when Torre was let go, but in a year and a half, he has shown me nothing to indicate that he will be a good manager or guide this team to a championship. Time for a change unfortunately.