Joe Girardi’s run as New York Yankees manager is over.
The club announced Thursday that Girardi will not return to the team, ending his decade-long run that included a World Series title in 2009. This season the Yankees were just one win away from a World Series appearance, losing in Game 7 to the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series.
“I want to thank Joe for his 10 years of hard work and service to this organization,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said to MLB.com. “Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we’ve decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position.”
Girardi, 53, helped the Yankees to a 910-710 record over 10 seasons as manager. The team also reached the postseason six times, including three American League East titles in 2009, 2011 and 2012, and three Wild Card berths in 2010, 2015 and 2017.
Girardi thanked the organization for the opportunity to lead the Yankees in a statement released by his agent, Steve Mandell.
“With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back,” Girardi said to MLB.com. “I’d like to thank the Steinbrenner family for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity. I would like to thank Brian Cashman and his staff for hiring me and always trying to improve the team.”
Girardi also thanked the coaches and players for the relationships and memories that were developed during his tenure as manager.
“I would like to thank the players for the relationships that we have fostered over the last 10 years but most important, how hard they played every day,” Girardi said to MLB.com. “… Finally, I’d like to thank the fans for their great support as a player, coach and manager, and the lasting memories of their passion and excitement during the playoff games, especially the final six games, which will remain in my heart forever.”
This isn’t the first time Girardi has been let go. In 2006, he was fired by the Florida Marlins after only one season on the job. But, rather than worry about his next coaching opportunity, Joe trusted God for his future.
“I don’t worry about my next job because I know that God’s in charge,” Girardi said at an Athletes in Action event in 2013. “You know when I thought that I took the job with the Marlins and I was fired, I thought I can’t believe this. We bought a house, we just had another baby in Florida and here I am fired one year. And, I didn’t know God was going to bring me here, but He had a plan.”
After one year away from baseball, Girardi was hired as the manager of the Yankees and in his second year on the job, he led the Yankees to a 103-59 record and a World Series title.
