HERE’S THE TRUTH

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Whether you love or hate the New York Yankees, one thing you must admit after all this time, the Yankees probably have the best manager in the major leagues right now.

Why do I make this claim? Let’s look at some facts.

The Yankees had a 10 game lead this year at one point in July, and now it has dissipated down to either a tie or one game lead in first place, depending on the day of the week. Like every team in the majors this season, the Yankees have had to juggle their pitching staff, and lineup, due to injuries. Granted their record is not good in August, when they lost most of the lead, but they also lost their closer, for too long, their first baseman and their third baseman for long stretches of time! Most teams would collapse at the weight of the losses the Yankees have experienced.

Yet when you watch them play, although there is frustration, there is very little of it. Having a captain like Derek Jeter lead the team, whether he is hurting or injured or not, yet goes out and sets an example day in and day out speaks for the man and the team, showing the way.

When they lose they just get ready for the next game, no anger, or finger pointing, and all this is under the cool leadership of their very capable manager. Joe Girardi is an exception to my rule that states: A manager is only as good as his team. Girardi has proven down in Miami just how good a manager can be, and just how influential he needs to be when the going gets rough.

Girardi managed the Florida Marlins to a 78–84 record and a wild-card contention even though the team had the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball, then on October 3, 2006: the Marlins announced that they had fired Girardi, despite him winning Manager of the Year. Girardi said only that he appreciated the opportunity to manage the club.

He has had a consistently winning record on the Yankees, managing replacements and using smoke and mirrors to win games. The man has been questioned about many of his managerial decisions and you could make arguments about his style, but he does win, under the worst of conditions, and fans can’t be privy to all there is to know about what move was made for what reason or reasons.

I think Yankee fans should stop reading the sports pages when it comes to Girardi and just let him manage.

That’s all I wrote, folks!