Phil Hughes technically was the loser in
last night’s game, but his manager’s obsession with numbers and matchups is
what really cost the New York Yankees a victory.
For some reason, Joe Girardi did not see
what the rest of us saw: that despite having a bases-loaded situation, Hughes
was still dealing. Instead of giving the righty one more batter after a fierce
strikeout for the second out of the 7th inning, Girardi removed
Hughes in favor of lefty Boone Logan, who promptly gave up the lead for good in a
game the Yankees had in their grasp. What was even more disappointing about the
loss is that the New York Yankees missed an opportunity to put some distance
between themselves and those pesky Baltimore Orioles.
Hughes, trying to be a diplomat and a
good teammate, did not place the blame on his manager or criticize a lousy decision. But his disappointment and frustration were obvious from the moment he
took a seat on the bench before Boone’s implosion through his post-game press
conference, when he twice said that he didn't make decisions and just pitches to who he is told to. Hughes, I’m sure, believes he earned the right to clean up that
7th inning mess and he’s absolutely right (this isn't a second guess by the way, I started screaming at my television the minute I saw Girardi walking out toward the mound).
Girardi has a lot of strengths as a
manager, but one of his weaknesses is his inability to read his players. He
should have given Hughes, who has more victories than any Yankee pitcher this season,
the opportunity to work out of the jam. Showing that kind of confidence in your
players is a key part of being a good manager. It can’t be all about statistics
and I think Girardi too often loses himself in the numbers game instead of
trusting his players.
Phil Hughes didn’t cost the Yankees a game
last night. Joe Girardi did.
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