I’ve never seen Joe Girardi as angry as
he was yesterday. It was truly awesome.
If you haven’t seen Girardi’s post-game
interview, I insist that you immediately stop reading this blog and check out
this link to the YES Network website. Not only did the New York Yankees manager
rip third-base umpire Tim Welke a new one on the field, he continued his verbal
assault in an epic tirade after the game.
We normally don’t see the Yankees
manager that worked up, unless he is fighting with a reporter who dares to
question him, particularly when it comes to AJ Burnett (come to think of it, with
Burnett gone, I can’t remember seeing Girardi fight with any reporters). I know
Girardi was still angry about Welke’s stubbornness, but I couldn’t help
cracking up as he took shot after shot at him.
But Girardi’s central point is a fair
one: that the umpire made a mistake that could have easily cost the Yankees the
game, especially with the rain that may have forced an early end. After
admitting that he initially called a fair ball foul, Welke should have been
more understanding of Girardi’s argument that the runner should be sent back to
third base rather than letting the go-ahead run score (he then made the
situation worse by refusing to let the Yankees manager protest the game). That’s
clearly why Girardi was so angry. With the Yankees struggling in recent weeks,
it was an important game for them to win.
Girardi’s outburst on the field may have
awakened his slumbering ballclub. Mark Teixeira and Eric Chavez hit
back-to-back home runs that gave the Yankees a lead that they did not relinquish.
You can’t say for sure those homers were related to Girardi’s angry display,
but it can only help motivate baseball players who know that their manager completely
has their back.
Girardi is clearly going to pay for his
post-game tirade, but I’m sure he couldn’t care less about the fine coming his
way. I can only hope his fire is contagious and sparks a Yankee winning streak.
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