MLB

A-Rod pushes Girardi for Manager of Year

Alex Rodriguez said he believes Joe Girardi deserves to take home another Manager of the Year trophy.

During the clubhouse celebration of the Yankees’ division title late last night, Rodriguez praised Girardi’s performance.

BOX SCORE, GAME 1

BOX SCORE, GAME 2

“For me, he’s obviously the Manager of the Year,” Rodriguez said. “We lost our seventh-inning guy, we lost our eighth-inning guy. We lost our third baseman. We lost our shortstop. We lost Phil Hughes. And overall he’s been the one constant that floated over the water. He’s just been terrific.

“He does a fantastic job with our veteran players, communicating with us,” he added. “A lot of his great leadership things you guys will never know about. That’s what makes him so special.

“I think Joe does an incredible job and I don’t think he gets enough credit.”

Girardi was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2006 with the Marlins.

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If Girardi had his way, Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano would be co-MVPs of the American League.

“They’ve both had fabulous years, and I think they’re both deserving,” Girardi said. “It may come down to the last week.”

Granderson is hitting .271 with 41 homers, 119 RBIs, 133 runs, 24 stolen bases and a .945 OPS. Cano, who belted a game-winning two-run double in the Yankees’ 4-2 victory over the Rays in Game 1 yesterday, is hitting .305 with 26 homers, 115 RBIs, 100 runs scored and an .885 OPS.

Detroit’s Justin Verlander, who is 24-5, Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez and Toronto’s Jose Bautista are in the MVP mix as well.

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Girardi sounds intrigued with left-hander reliever Raul Valdes, something to remember as the playoff roster takes shape. The Yankees could use a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with Boone Logan. Valdes and Aaron Laffey also are contenders.

“He’s got a little funk to him,” Girardi said of Valdes after he threw 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief in yesterday’s first game. “There’s something about his wind-up that looks like the ball just jumps at you.”

Girardi also said he intends to use the former Met more during the season’s final week.

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On his Twitter account yesterday, Joba Chamberlain wrote, “Big day for me! Playing catch for the first time since surgery!” Chamberlain had Tommy John surgery earlier this season.

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Brett Gardner is in a 19-for-110 rut (.173) during which his average dropped from .286 to .261.

— Additional reporting
by Dan Martin