| Joe Girardi | |
|---|---|
 Girardi in 2020 | |
| Catcher /Manager | |
| Born: (1964-10-14)October 14, 1964 (age 61) Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 4, 1989, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 28, 2003, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .267 |
| Home runs | 36 |
| Runs batted in | 422 |
| Managerial record | 1,120–935 |
| Winning % | .545 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Managerial record at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Joseph Elliott Girardi (born October 14, 1964) is an American sports broadcaster and former professionalbaseball player andmanager inMajor League Baseball (MLB). Girardi played thecatcher position for theChicago Cubs,Colorado Rockies,New York Yankees, andSt. Louis Cardinals during a big league playing career that spanned from 1989 to 2003. He won threeWorld Series championships with the Yankees in the 1990s and served as the catcher for bothDwight Gooden'sno-hitter andDavid Cone's perfect game.
Girardi became the Yankees’bench coach in 2005. In 2006, he managed theFlorida Marlins and was named theNational League (NL)Manager of the Year, but was fired after just one season with the team. Girardi managed the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, winning the2009 World Series over the Phillies. He served as acolor analyst forMLB Network andFox Sports for two years before being named manager of thePhiladelphia Phillies in October 2019; he was fired midway through their2022 pennant season. He has also served as an analyst for Cubs telecasts on theMarquee Sports Network and for Yankees telecasts on theYES Network.
Girardi, the third son of Jerry, a former blue collar worker andUnited States Air Force veteran,[1] and Angela Girardi, was born inPeoria, Illinois and grew up inEast Peoria, Illinois. He attended high school at theSpalding Institute.[2][3]
Girardi enrolled atNorthwestern University inEvanston, Illinois, where he attended from 1983 through 1986. He played for theNorthwestern Wildcats baseball team, where he was a two-time All Big Ten selection and a three-time AcademicAll-American.[4] In 1984, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theCotuit Kettleers of theCape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[5][6] In 1986, he earned a bachelor of science degree inindustrial engineering and was awarded theBig Ten Medal of Honor, which recognizes one male and one female student from the graduating class of each Big Ten member school for demonstrating joint athletic and academic excellence throughout their college career.[7][8] He was the first freshman to be elected president of a fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega) at Northwestern.[9]
TheChicago Cubs drafted Girardi in the fifth round of the1986 MLB draft. He spent four seasons in the Cubsminor leagues system before making his major league debut. In 1986, Girardibatted .309 in 68 games with thePeoria Chiefs of theMidwest League. In 1989, he also played for theÁguilas del Zulia in theVenezuelan Winter League.[10]
Girardi made his Major League debut for the Cubs on April 4, 1989. During his rookie year with the Cubs, Girardi batted .248 with ahome run and 14runs batted in (RBIs) in 59 games played. In 1990, he played in 133 games, batting .270 with a home run and 38 RBIs. In 1991, he played in only 21 games, batting .191 with 6 RBIs. In 1992, he played in 91 games, batting .270 with a home run and 12 RBIs.[11]
The Cubs left Girardi unprotected in the1992 MLB expansion draft and theColorado Rockies chose him. During his first year with the Rockies in 1993, he played in 86 games batting .290 with fivetriples, three home runs, and 31 RBIs. In 1994, he played in 93 games batting .276 with four triples, four home runs, and 34 RBIs. In 1995, he played in 125 games batting .262 with a career-high eight home runs and 55 RBIs.[11]
After the 1995 season, theNew York Yankees acquired Girardi from the Rockies in exchange for pitcherMike DeJean. Girardi took the place ofMike Stanley.[12] On May 14, 1996, Girardi caughtDwight Gooden'sno-hitter. Girardi played in 124 games during the 1996 season, batting .294 with two home runs and 45 RBIs. In Game 6 of the1996 World Series against theAtlanta Braves, Girardi hit an RBI triple againstGreg Maddux that helped the Yankees win that game and ultimately the World Series.[13] When the Yankees made 25-year-old prospectJorge Posada the backup catcher, Girardi became his mentor.[14] The two catchers split time for the Yankees through 1999.[15] In 1997, Girardi played in 112 games batting .264 with one home run and 50 RBIs. During theWorld Series-winning 1998 season, he played in 78 games batting .276 with three home runs and 31 RBIs. On July 18, 1999, Girardi caughtDavid Cone'sperfect game.[16] During theWorld Series-winning 1999 season, Girardi played in 65 games batting .239 with two home runs and 27 RBIs.[11]
In 2000, Girardi left the Yankees and returned to the Cubs, where he was named tothat year's All-Star team, as an injury replacement forMike Piazza.[17] During the 2000 season, Girardi played in 106 games batting .278 with six home runs and 40 RBIs. In 2001, he played in 78 games batting .253 with three home runs and 25 RBIs.[11] On June 22, 2002, Girardi was asked to speak to the hometown crowd after the Cubs' nationally televised matchup with theSt. Louis Cardinals was cancelled by CommissionerBud Selig, after Cardinals pitcherDarryl Kile was found dead earlier that day. Taking to the field microphone behind home plate, an emotional Girardi fought back tears as he said that "due to a tragedy in the Cardinal family" there would be no game that day. He never specified what had happened, instead asking fans to be respectful of the matter as they found out about it on their own and to pray.[18][19] Overall, during 2002, Girardi batted .226 with one home run and 26 RBIs in 90 games played.[11]
On December 16, 2002, Girardi signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.[20] He appeared in just 16 games, accumulating 23at-bats in which he batted .130 with one RBI and a .361on-base plus slugging percentage.[11] After signing a contract with the Yankees in spring training 2004, Girardi retired and joined theYES Network.[21]
After aspring training stint with the Yankees in 2004, Girardi retired and became acommentator for theYES Network. He hosted the youth-orientedYankees on Deck, received good reviews and was offered a larger role on 2005 Yankee broadcasts, however he rejected that offer, as well as an offer from theFlorida Marlins to become theirbench coach with a guarantee to become the team's manager in 2006, although subsequently was appointed to that job. Instead, he became the Yankees' bench coach. He managed a game during aJoe Torre suspension, a loss to theKansas City Royals. Girardi remained the host of Kids on Deck in 2005, having shot his shows before spring training. During games, YES promoted Kids on Deck by showing Girardi sitting in the dugout during breaks in the game.[22]
Girardi was a broadcaster for the third, fourth, and fifth games of the2006 World Series forFox as part of the network's pregame and postgame team, along with hostJeanne Zelasko and regular analystKevin Kennedy.[citation needed] After fielding managerial offers for the 2007 season, Girardi instead came to terms with the YES Network to return to the broadcast booth for 60-plus games as a Yankees analyst and to co-host a new show on the network,Behind The Plate, withJohn Flaherty, also a former Yankees catcher. Girardi also served as a color commentator for the No. 2 booth (usually withThom Brennaman) onMajor League Baseball on Fox.[citation needed] In 2018, he joinedMLB Network as an analyst.[23] In August 2022, he joinedMarquee Sports Network as a part-time analyst forChicago Cubs telecasts.[24] On June 8, 2023, Girardi was offered a managerial position by theUniversity of Central Florida. However, he rejected the job offer in favor of remaining a color commentator for theChicago Cubs' broadcast.[25] In February 2024, he returned to the YES Network to work as an analyst for Yankees games beginning in the 2024 season.[26]
After the 2005 regular season, Girardi was named the manager of the Marlins, replacingJack McKeon.[27] His first notable action as manager was to prohibit facial hair, a policy similar to that of Yankees ownerGeorge Steinbrenner.[28]
The team had a 78–84 record with Girardi as manager,[29] and was in wild-card contention even though the team had the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball.[30] At $15 million, the Marlins' 2006 payroll was lower than the salaries of several MLB players. However, Girardi was nearly fired on August 6[31] when he got into an argument with Marlins ownerJeffrey Loria during a game. According to witnesses and video footage, the Marlins owner was heckling home plate umpireLarry Vanover. When the umpire warned Girardi about the harassment, Girardi and his bench coachGary Tuck then turned to Loria and told him to stop. Team executives had to talk Loria out of his stated desire to fire Girardi immediately after that game.[32]
On October 3, 2006, the Marlins announced they had fired Girardi as manager, and replaced him with Atlanta Braves third base coachFredi González.[33] Girardi said only that he appreciated the opportunity to manage the club. Girardi was thought to be among the leading candidates to replace New York Yankees manager Joe Torre after they lost in the2006 American League Division Series, but Torre remained with the team. Girardi was also a candidate for the manager position with the Chicago Cubs, to succeedDusty Baker; he interviewed for the job just days after leaving the Marlins. With his playing experience in Chicago, he was considered a front-runner for the position.[34] However, the Cubs chose to go with veteran managerLou Piniella. Girardi took himself out of the running for theWashington Nationals' managerial job shortly thereafter and returned to the broadcast booth for the YES Network in 2007. He said taking another managerial job would have meant a third move in as many years for his family.[35] Despite Girardi's firing, he was rewarded for his achievements with the Marlins in 2006 with theNational LeagueManager of the Year Award[36] and theSporting News Manager of the Year Award for the National League.[37]
In June 2007, after theBaltimore Orioles fired managerSam Perlozzo, Girardi interviewed for and was offered the position with the Orioles; he turned it down.[38]
When the Yankees' managerial position became vacant after the 2007 season, the Yankees interviewed Girardi,Tony Peña, andDon Mattingly. On October 29, 2007, Girardi was reported to be the Yankees' choice[39] and the next day he signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth about $7.5 million.[40] Girardi chose to wear number 27 to signify his wish to lead the Yankees to their 27th world championship.[41] Girardi is a health enthusiast and banned sweets such as ice cream and soda in the clubhouse.[42]
On August 2, 2008, Girardi participated in his firstOld Timers' Day, the last such game played at the originalYankee Stadium. Girardi participated in the next Old Timer's Day on July 19, 2009, the first in the new Yankee Stadium, as well as every one since then. Girardi's first year as a Yankees manager was unsuccessful as the team was eliminated from postseason contention for the first time since 1993, finishing 2008 with an 89–73 record, third in the AL East.[43]
In 2009, his second year as manager, the Yankees were a much improved team. He led the Yankees to their 40th AL pennant and their 27th World Series title (defeating the Philadelphia Phillies), his first World Series title as manager and the Yankees' first since 2000.[44]
Before the 2010 season, Girardi changed his number to 28. Newly acquired center-fielderCurtis Granderson had worn 28, but agreed to change his number to 14.[45]
Following the 2010 season, Girardi and the Yankees agreed to a three-year deal to keep him as the Yankees' manager.[46]
The Yankees' 2011 season was plagued by injuries that caused disabled list stints for several key players. Despite the setbacks, Girardi managed to lead the team to the AL East title.Rob Parker ofESPN commended Girardi's performance and felt his efforts were deserving ofAmerican League Manager of the Year, but felt he would not get the award due to the Yankees high payroll and what Parker alleges is an anti-Yankee bias.[47] The Yankees were defeated by the Detroit Tigers 3–2 in the divisional round.[48]
On June 15, 2012, Girardi won his 500th game as a manager.[49] The Yankees reached the playoffs and defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3–2 in theALDS, but were swept by the Detroit Tigers in theALCS on October 18, 2012. Girardi's 2013 season was marred by numerous player injuries and controversies, resulting in the Yankees finishing 85–77 (tied 3rd in AL East) and missing the postseason for the first time since 2008.[50]
On October 10, 2013, Girardi signed a four-year deal worth $16 million to remain as manager of the New York Yankees.[51]
In 2014 the Yankees finished 84–78, (second place in AL East) and did not qualify for the postseason for the second straight year. In 2015, the Yankees finished 87–75, (second place again in AL East), clinching the topwild card spot which marked the team's first playoff appearance since 2012, but they lost to the Houston Astros in the2015 American League Wild Card Game. On May 21, 2016, Girardi managed his 1,500th game.[52]
After missing the playoffs again in 2016, the Yankees finished 91–71 in 2017, second place in the AL East, and qualified for the postseason as the first Wild Card team in the AL. In 2017 he was successful on a higher percentage of replay challenges than any other MLB manager with 10 or more challenges, at 75.0%.[53] The Yankees beat the Twins, 8–4, in thewild card game and advanced to the ALDS, where they played the Cleveland Indians. After falling behind 0–2, amidst a controversial decision to not challenge a potential hit-by-pitch, Girardi's Yankees rallied back to win three games in a row and faced theHouston Astros in theALCS. The series began in Houston, and after again falling behind 0–2, the team won all three games at Yankee Stadium, but the season ended after losing Games 6 and 7 back in Houston. Afterward, Girardi's contract expired and on October 26, the Yankees announced he would not return as manager, being replaced byAaron Boone.[54][55][56]
On August 7, 2019, he became theUnited States national baseball team manager at the2019 WBSC Premier12.[57] But, on October 16, 2019, he canceled so that he could seek managerial opportunities in Major League Baseball.[58]
On October 24, 2019, thePhiladelphia Phillies hired Girardi as their manager, replacingGabe Kapler.[59] In his first season with Philadelphia, Girardi's management resulted in the worst season ERA for any bullpen since 1930.[60] The Phillies missed the playoffs by one game, also finishing behind Kapler's San Francisco Giants in the standings.[61] In his second season with Philadelphia, the Phillies had the most blown saves by any team in MLB history.[62] The Phillies again barely missed the playoffs, eliminated with three days left in the 2021 season.[63] Meanwhile, the Giants won the most games in franchise history,[64] earning Kapler the 2021 Manager of the Year Award.[65]
On June 3, 2022, the Phillies fired Girardi after the team started the season with a 22–29 record.[66] After firing Girardi, the Phillies won 14 of their next 16 games and went on to win the National League pennant.
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
| FLA | 2006 | 162 | 78 | 84 | .481 | 4th in NL East | – | – | – | |
| FLA total | 162 | 78 | 84 | .481 | – | – | – | |||
| NYY | 2008 | 162 | 89 | 73 | .549 | 3rd in AL East | – | – | – | |
| NYY | 2009 | 162 | 103 | 59 | .636 | 1st in AL East | 11 | 4 | .733 | WonWorld Series (PHI) |
| NYY | 2010 | 162 | 95 | 67 | .586 | 2nd in AL East | 5 | 4 | .556 | LostALCS (TEX) |
| NYY | 2011 | 162 | 97 | 65 | .599 | 1st in AL East | 2 | 3 | .400 | LostALDS (DET) |
| NYY | 2012 | 162 | 95 | 67 | .586 | 1st in AL East | 3 | 6 | .333 | LostALCS (DET) |
| NYY | 2013 | 162 | 85 | 77 | .525 | 3rd in AL East | – | – | – | |
| NYY | 2014 | 162 | 84 | 78 | .519 | 2nd in AL East | – | – | – | |
| NYY | 2015 | 162 | 87 | 75 | .537 | 2nd in AL East | 0 | 1 | .000 | LostALWC (HOU) |
| NYY | 2016 | 162 | 84 | 78 | .519 | 4th in AL East | – | – | – | |
| NYY | 2017 | 162 | 91 | 71 | .562 | 2nd in AL East | 7 | 6 | .538 | LostALCS (HOU) |
| NYY total | 1,620 | 910 | 710 | .562 | 28 | 24 | .538 | |||
| PHI | 2020 | 60 | 28 | 32 | .467 | 3rd in NL East | – | – | – | |
| PHI | 2021 | 162 | 82 | 80 | .506 | 2nd in NL East | – | – | – | |
| PHI | 2022 | 51 | 22 | 29 | .431 | Fired | – | – | – | |
| PHI total | 273 | 132 | 141 | .484 | – | – | – | |||
| Total[29] | 2,055 | 1,120 | 935 | .545 | 28 | 24 | .538 | |||
Girardi and his wife Kim Innocenzi-Girardi live inPurchase, New York and have three children.[67] Girardi is ofItalian descent and is a devoutChristian.[68]
While driving home after winning the 2009 World Series, Girardi stopped to help a car crash victim on a dangerous blind curve of theCross County Parkway inEastchester, New York. Police said Girardi put his own life at risk while trying to help the driver who had just crashed into a wall. The driver said she had no idea who Girardi was until the responding officers identified him. The next day, Girardi said, "I think the most important thing is that, obviously, there's a lot of joy in what we do, but we can't forget to be human beings when we help others out."[69][70]
On October 6, 2012, during the2012 ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Girardi's father Jerry Girardi died at the age of 81. He hadAlzheimer's disease and spent the past several years in an assisted care facility.[71] His mother had died from cancer while Joe was a student-athlete at Northwestern University.[72] Joe Girardi has four siblings: John Girardi, George Girardi, Maria Girardi, and Gerald Girardi.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York YankeesBench Coach 2005 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
