Joe Girardi has plenty of things to worry about as his Yankees enter the playoffs, but job security is not one of them.
Hal Steinbrenner stopped short of guaranteeing Girardi will be back next year, but yesterday he praised the job his manager has done.
“Joe has had a tremendous year this year,” said Steinbrenner, the team’s managing general partner. “We all know that. He’s got the best re cord in baseball. As far as I’m concerned, and the family is concerned, and the organization is concerned, he’s the man for the job.”
When pressed if that meant Girardi will be back next season, Steinbrenner was not definitive but gave no reason to believe Girardi is in any danger.
“I’m saying he’s the man for the job,” Steinbrenner said. “Let’s focus, keep our eye on the ball so to speak, focus on the playoffs. There will be plenty of drama for you to write about, I assure you.”
Girardi has the Yankees back in the playoffs after missing them in his first season as the Yankees’ skipper. Expectations are high as the team enters the American League playoffs as the top seed. Girardi has one year left on his contract, and Steinbrenner said they have not even thought about an extension yet.
Girardi was happy to hear the praise, but remained focused on the goal.
“I’m thankful. The Steinbrenner family has treated me great since I first got here as a player, a coach, broadcaster, as a manager,” Girardi said. “They’ve always been great to my family and [me]. Our goal in here is to bring another championship to the Steinbrenner family. That is one way of thanking them.”
Steinbrenner was at Yankee Stadium yesterday to announce the new college bowl game to be played there next year.
He said he’s “confident” entering the playoffs and made it clear his expectations are the same as his father’s always were.
“I have the genetics that certainly lead me to believe that if you don’t win the championship, you’re not doing your job for the city of New York and for your fans,” Steinbrenner said.
Hal Steinbrenner said George Steinbrenner plans on being in The Bronx at some point in the playoffs.
“That’s the plan, particularly if and when, I should say, we make it to the World Series, he’ll absolutely be there,” Hal Steinbrenner said.
The Yankees rolled through the AL East this season on the way to the division crown. They will face either Detroit or Minnesota in the first round, a series that concerns Steinbrenner. The Yankees have not made it to the ALCS since 2004, and have not been to the World Series since 2003.
“It’s my job to be concerned,” Steinbrenner said. “That’s my job. I think this [ALDS] five-game series concerns any team, any owner, any manager and any player. It’s a short series. And it could be a dangerous one. We’ve got a team that is as good or better than any out there. And I’m confident. And excited. Absolutely excited.”
— Additional reporting
by Mike Puma