60-545: Joseph Elliott Girardi (born October 14, 1964) is an American sports broadcaster and former professional baseball player and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). Girardi played the catcher position for the Chicago Cubs , Colorado Rockies , New York Yankees , and St. Louis Cardinals during a big league playing career that spanned from 1989 to 2003. He won three World Series championships with
120-549: A Yankees analyst and to co-host a new show on the network, Behind The Plate , with John Flaherty , also a former Yankees catcher. Girardi also served as a color commentator for the No. 2 booth (usually with Thom Brennaman ) on Major League Baseball on Fox . In 2018, he joined MLB Network as an analyst. in August 2022, he joined Marquee Sports Network as a part-time analyst for Chicago Cubs telecasts. In February 2024 he returned to
180-632: A black player's head. Now, however, baseball is fully integrated, and there is little to no racial tension between teammates. Between 1943 and 1954, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League fielded teams in several Midwestern towns. 1992 Major League Baseball expansion draft On November 17, 1992, during the 1992–93 offseason, Major League Baseball (MLB) held an expansion draft in New York City to allow two expansion teams ,
240-531: A career-high eight home runs and 55 RBIs. After the 1995 season, the New York Yankees acquired Girardi from the Rockies in exchange for pitcher Mike DeJean . Girardi took the place of Mike Stanley . On May 14, 1996, Girardi caught Dwight Gooden 's no-hitter . Girardi played in 124 games during the 1996 season, batting .294 with two home runs and 45 RBIs. In Game 6 of the 1996 World Series against
300-522: A contract with the Yankees in spring training 2004, Girardi retired and joined the YES Network . After a spring training stint with the Yankees in 2004, Girardi retired and became a commentator for the YES Network . He hosted the youth-oriented Yankees on Deck , received good reviews and was offered a larger role on 2005 Yankee broadcasts, however he rejected that offer, as well as an offer from
360-473: A home run and 12 RBIs. The Cubs left Girardi unprotected in the 1992 MLB expansion draft and the Colorado Rockies chose him. During his first year with the Rockies in 1993, he played in 86 games batting .290 with five triples , three home runs, and 31 RBIs. In 1994, he played in 93 games batting .276 with four triples, four home runs, and 34 RBIs. In 1995, he played in 125 games batting .262 with
420-505: A maximum of eight AL teams could have three players chosen. All unprotected MLB and minor league players were eligible except those chosen in the amateur drafts of 1991 or 1992 and players who were 18 or younger when signed in 1990. Players who were free agents after the 1992 season were not eligible for selection in the draft. The Rockies and Marlins, however, were not restricted in offering contracts to free agents. The Rockies signed their first free agent, Andrés Galarraga , to
480-415: A one-year contract the day before the expansion draft. The draft order was determined by a coin toss, the winner of which could choose either: (a) the first overall pick in the expansion draft and the 28th, and last, pick in the first round of the 1993 MLB amateur draft ; or (b) allow the other team to pick first and receive both the second and third overall expansion draft picks, the right to pick first in
540-651: A potential hit-by-pitch, Girardi's Yankees rallied back to win three games in a row and faced the Houston Astros in the ALCS . The series began in Houston, and after again falling behind 0–2, the team won all three games at Yankee Stadium, but the season ended after losing Games 6 and 7 back in Houston. Afterward, Girardi's contract expired and on October 26, the Yankees announced he would not return as manager, being replaced by Aaron Boone . On August 7, 2019, he became
600-533: Is of Italian descent and is a devout Christian . While driving home after winning the 2009 World Series, Girardi stopped to help a car crash victim on a dangerous blind curve of the Cross County Parkway in Eastchester, New York . Police said Girardi put his own life at risk while trying to help the driver who had just crashed into a wall. The driver said she had no idea who Girardi was until
660-519: The American League (AL) and National League (NL) were available to the expansion clubs . Each existing club could protect 15 players on their 40-man roster from being drafted and only one player could be drafted from each team in each round. At the end of each round, NL teams could protect an additional three players and AL teams could protect an additional four. To further protect the AL teams,
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#1732797528317720-766: The Atlanta Braves , Girardi hit an RBI triple against Greg Maddux that helped the Yankees win that game and ultimately the World Series. When the Yankees made 25-year-old prospect Jorge Posada the backup catcher, Girardi became his mentor. The two catchers split time for the Yankees through 1999. In 1997, Girardi played in 112 games batting .264 with one home run and 50 RBIs. During the World Series-winning 1998 season, he played in 78 games batting .276 with three home runs and 31 RBIs. On July 18, 1999, Girardi caught David Cone 's perfect game . During
780-717: The Colorado Rockies , the same name used as the National Hockey League franchise that played in Denver from 1976 to 1982. The Miami group chose to call themselves the Florida Marlins to broaden their fanbase to the entire state, while reviving the nickname of the Miami Marlins , a defunct Minor League Baseball team. An expansion draft to stock both franchises was set for November 1992. In contrast to previous expansion drafts, players from both
840-764: The Commissioner of Baseball . Operating outside the Minor League Baseball organization are many independent minor leagues such as the Atlantic League , American Association , Frontier League , and the feeder league to these the Empire Professional Baseball League . Japan has had professional baseball since the 1930s. Nippon Professional Baseball consists of two leagues, the Central League and
900-699: The Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies , to build their rosters prior to debuting in the National League 's (NL) East and West divisions, respectively, in the 1993 MLB season . The 1990 collective bargaining agreement between MLB owners and the MLB Players Association allowed the NL to expand by two members to match the American League (AL). In June 1991, MLB accepted bids of groups from Miami , Florida , and Denver , Colorado , with debuts set for 1993. The Marlins and Rockies used
960-522: The Florida Marlins to become their bench coach with a guarantee to become the team's manager in 2006, although subsequently was appointed to that job. Instead, he became the Yankees' bench coach. He managed a game during a Joe Torre suspension, a loss to the Kansas City Royals . Girardi remained the host of Kids on Deck in 2005, having shot his shows before spring training. During games, YES promoted Kids on Deck by showing Girardi sitting in
1020-499: The National League (NL) by two teams in the 1990 collective bargaining agreement . Prior to expansion, the NL had 12 teams while the American League had 14. In June 1991, MLB accepted two bids for expansion franchises : one for Miami , Florida , and the other for Denver , Colorado . Both teams were set to debut in 1993. Expansion was approved unanimously by all teams in July 1991. The Denver group chose to call their franchise
1080-730: The Pacific League , each with six teams. South Korea has had professional baseball since 1982. There are 10 teams in KBO League . Taiwan has had professional baseball since the 1990s. The Chinese Professional Baseball League absorbed Taiwan Major League in 2003. There are currently 6 teams in the CPBL. Other Asian leagues include three now defunct leagues, the China National Baseball League , Israel Baseball League , and Baseball Philippines . During
1140-523: The United States and Canada consists of the National League (founded in 1876) and the American League (founded in 1901). Historically, teams in one league never played teams in the other until the World Series , in which the champions of the two leagues played against each other. This changed in 1997 with the advent of interleague play . The Philadelphia Phillies , founded in 1883, are
1200-585: The United States national baseball team manager at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 . But, on October 16, 2019, he canceled so that he could seek managerial opportunities in Major League Baseball. On October 24, 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies hired Girardi as their manager, replacing Gabe Kapler . In his first season with Philadelphia, Girardi's management resulted in the worst season ERA for any bullpen since 1930. The Phillies missed
1260-542: The Venezuelan Winter League . Girardi made his Major League debut for the Cubs on April 4, 1989. During his rookie year with the Cubs, Girardi batted .248 with a home run and 14 runs batted in (RBIs) in 59 games played. In 1990, he played in 133 games, batting .270 with a home run and 38 RBIs. In 1991, he played in only 21 games, batting .191 with 6 RBIs. In 1992, he played in 91 games, batting .270 with
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#17327975283171320-469: The World Series-winning 1999 season, Girardi played in 65 games batting .239 with two home runs and 27 RBIs. In 2000, Girardi left the Yankees and returned to the Cubs, where he was named to that year's All-Star team , as an injury replacement for Mike Piazza . During the 2000 season, Girardi played in 106 games batting .278 with six home runs and 40 RBIs. In 2001, he played in 78 games batting .253 with three home runs and 25 RBIs. On June 22, 2002, Girardi
1380-770: The 1992 season with the Double-A Knoxville Smokies of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and had no MLB experience. In total, the Rockies and Marlins chose 41 pitchers with their combined 72 selections. Of the 72 players chosen, 11 were All-Stars during their careers. Jack Armstrong , Bryan Harvey , and Danny Jackson had been All-Stars before the expansion draft, while Andy Ashby , Brad Ausmus , Vinny Castilla , Jeff Conine , Carl Everett , Joe Girardi , Harvey, Trevor Hoffman , Jackson, and Eric Young became All-Stars later on in their careers. Hoffman would also be elected to
1440-428: The 2007 season, the Yankees interviewed Girardi, Tony Peña , and Don Mattingly . On October 29, 2007, Girardi was reported to be the Yankees' choice and the next day he signed a three-year contract, reportedly worth about $ 7.5 million. Girardi chose to wear number 27 to signify his wish to lead the Yankees to their 27th world championship. Girardi is a health enthusiast and banned sweets such as ice cream and soda in
1500-468: The 2010 season, Girardi and the Yankees agreed to a three-year deal to keep him as the Yankees' manager. The Yankees' 2011 season was plagued by injuries that caused disabled list stints for several key players. Despite the setbacks, Girardi managed to lead the team to the AL East title. Rob Parker of ESPN commended Girardi's performance and felt his efforts were deserving of American League Manager of
1560-589: The AL East, and qualified for the postseason as the first Wild Card team in the AL. In 2017 he was successful on a higher percentage of replay challenges than any other MLB manager with 10 or more challenges, at 75.0%. The Yankees beat the Twins, 8–4, in the wild card game and advanced to the ALDS, where they played the Cleveland Indians. After falling behind 0–2, amidst a controversial decision to not challenge
1620-508: The Hall of Fame in 2018. The following trades were announced at the conclusion of the expansion draft: Several older star players who were left unprotected, including Danny Tartabull , Jack Morris , and Shawon Dunston , were not selected due to their high salaries and advanced age. Based on the results of the expansion draft, the Marlins were projected to have a higher payroll in 1993 than
1680-751: The Phillies fired Girardi after the team started the season with a 22–29 record. After firing Girardi, the Phillies won 14 of their next 16 games and went on to win the National League pennant. On June 8, 2023, Girardi was offered the managerial position by the University of Central Florida . However, he rejected the job offer in favor of remaining a color commentator for the Chicago Cubs ' broadcast. Girardi and his wife Kim Innocenzi-Girardi live in Purchase, New York , and have three children. Girardi
1740-607: The Phillies. He served as a color analyst for MLB Network and Fox Sports for two years before being named manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in October 2019; he was fired midway through the 2022 season. He served as an analyst for Cubs telecasts on the Marquee Sports Network over the remainder of 2022 and in 2023, and will have the same role for Yankees telecasts on the YES Network in 2024 while still occasionally working as an analyst for Marquee. Girardi,
1800-420: The Rockies and Everett to the Marlins. Invoking the "best interests of baseball" clause, Commissioner Bud Selig and the major league executive council affirmed the draft results. In the 1993 Major League Baseball season , the Marlins and Rockies both finished sixth out of seven teams in their respective divisions. The Rockies were the first team to reach the playoffs , using the roster they developed through
1860-467: The Rockies. The Rockies added free agent acquisition Larry Walker to a lineup of power hitters in Galarraga, Bichette, and Castilla, known collectively as the "Blake Street Bombers". Meanwhile, the Marlins kept fewer players they selected in the expansion draft than the Rockies. In 1996, the Rockies retained 13 players from the draft, while the Marlins had six. Jeff Conine , nicknamed "Mr. Marlin",
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1920-464: The Rockies. The Rockies' payroll appeared to be $ 4 million, less than what the Marlins would pay Bryan Harvey. The New York Yankees challenged the validity of the draft on the basis that the Marlins did not compensate the Yankees for the loss of territory in Fort Lauderdale, Florida , where the Yankees had a minor league team. They attempted to revoke the assignment of Hayes and Ausmus to
1980-469: The United States and Canada. The minor leagues are divided into classes AAA, AA, High-A, A, and Rookie. These minor-league divisions are affiliated with major league teams, and serve to develop young players and rehabilitate injured major-leaguers. "Affiliated baseball" (archaically, " organized baseball ") is often applied as an umbrella term for all leagues — major and minor — under the authority of
2040-478: The YES Network to work as an analyst for Yankees games beginning in the 2024 season. After the 2005 regular season, Girardi was named the manager of the Marlins, replacing Jack McKeon . His first notable action as manager was to prohibit facial hair, a policy similar to that of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner . The team had a 78–84 record with Girardi as manager, and was in wild-card contention even though
2100-522: The Yankees in the 1990s and served as the catcher for both Dwight Gooden 's no-hitter and David Cone's perfect game . Girardi became the Yankees’ bench coach in 2005. In 2006, he managed the Florida Marlins and was named the National League (NL) Manager of the Year , but was fired after just one season with the team. Girardi managed the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, winning the 2009 World Series over
2160-627: The Year , but felt he would not get the award due to the Yankees high payroll and what Parker alleges is an anti-Yankee bias. The Yankees were defeated by the Detroit Tigers 3–2 in the divisional round. On June 15, 2012, Girardi won his 500th game as a manager. The Yankees reached the playoffs and defeated the Baltimore Orioles 3–2 in the ALDS , but were swept by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS on October 18, 2012. Girardi's 2013 season
2220-533: The club. Girardi was thought to be among the leading candidates to replace New York Yankees manager Joe Torre after they lost in the 2006 American League Division Series , but Torre remained with the team. Girardi was also a candidate for the manager position with the Chicago Cubs, to succeed Dusty Baker ; he interviewed for the job just days after leaving the Marlins. With his playing experience in Chicago, he
2280-402: The clubhouse. On August 2, 2008, Girardi participated in his first Old Timers' Day , the last such game played at the original Yankee Stadium . Girardi participated in the next Old Timer's Day on July 19, 2009, the first in the new Yankee Stadium, as well as every one since then. Girardi's first year as a Yankees manager was unsuccessful as the team was eliminated from postseason contention for
2340-477: The dugout during breaks in the game. Girardi was a broadcaster for the third, fourth, and fifth games of the 2006 World Series for Fox as part of the network's pregame and postgame team, along with host Jeanne Zelasko and regular analyst Kevin Kennedy . After fielding managerial offers for the 2007 season, Girardi instead came to terms with the YES Network to return to the broadcast booth for 60-plus games as
2400-418: The expansion draft to build their teams using different strategies. As the Rockies had a smaller operating budget than the Marlins, the Rockies targeted prospects with low salaries, while the Marlins selected older players intended to provide more immediate impact. All three rounds of the draft were televised by ESPN . Major League Baseball (MLB) team owners and the MLB Players Association agreed to expand
2460-424: The expansion draft to win the wild card in 1995 , a record for the shortest amount of time for an expansion team to make the playoffs in any sport at the time. (The Arizona Diamondbacks would go on to break the record by reaching the playoffs in 1999 , their second year of existence .) Ritz and Painter, both selected in the expansion draft, started Games 1 and 2 of the 1995 National League Division Series for
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2520-602: The first time since 1993, finishing 2008 with an 89–73 record, third in the AL East. In 2009, his second year as manager, the Yankees were a much improved team. He led the Yankees to their 40th AL pennant and their 27th World Series title (defeating the Philadelphia Phillies), his first World Series title as manager and the Yankees' first since 2000. Before the 2010 season, Girardi changed his number to 28. Newly acquired center-fielder Curtis Granderson had worn 28, but agreed to change his number to 14. Following
2580-417: The harassment, Girardi and his bench coach Gary Tuck then turned to Loria and told him to stop. Team executives had to talk Loria out of his stated desire to fire Girardi immediately after that game. On October 3, 2006, the Marlins announced they had fired Girardi as manager, and replaced him with Atlanta Braves third base coach Fredi González . Girardi said only that he appreciated the opportunity to manage
2640-594: The late 19th and early 20th centuries, players of black African descent were barred from playing the major leagues , though several did manage to play by claiming to be Cubans or Native Americans . As a result, a number of parallel Negro leagues were formed. However, after Jackie Robinson began playing with the major-league Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, the Negro leagues gradually faded. The process of integration did not go entirely smoothly; there were some ugly incidents, including pitchers who would try to throw directly at
2700-456: The matter as they found out about it on their own and to pray. Overall, during 2002, Girardi batted .226 with one home run and 26 RBIs in 90 games played. On December 16, 2002, Girardi signed a one-year, $ 750,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He appeared in just 16 games, accumulating 23 at-bats in which he batted .130 with one RBI and a .361 on-base plus slugging percentage. After signing
2760-471: The oldest continuous same-name, same-city franchise in both Major League Baseball and all of American professional sports. In addition to the major leagues, many North American cities and towns feature minor league teams. An organization officially styled Minor League Baseball , formerly the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, oversees nearly all minor league baseball in
2820-594: The playoffs by one game, also finishing behind Kapler's San Francisco Giants in the standings. In his second season with Philadelphia, the Phillies had the most blown saves by any team in MLB history. The Phillies again barely missed the playoffs, eliminated with three days left in the 2021 season. Meanwhile, the Giants won the most games in franchise history, earning Kapler the 2021 Manager of the Year Award. On June 3, 2022,
2880-486: The responding officers identified him. The next day, Girardi said, "I think the most important thing is that, obviously, there's a lot of joy in what we do, but we can't forget to be human beings when we help others out." On October 6, 2012, during the 2012 ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Girardi's father Jerry Girardi died at the age of 81. He had Alzheimer's disease and spent the past several years in an assisted care facility. His mother had died from cancer while Joe
2940-539: The second straight year. In 2015, the Yankees finished 87–75, (second place again in AL East), clinching the top wild card spot which marked the team's first playoff appearance since 2012, but they lost to the Houston Astros in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game . On May 21, 2016, Girardi managed his 1,500th game. After missing the playoffs again in 2016, the Yankees finished 91–71 in 2017, second place in
3000-458: The subsequent rounds of the expansion draft, and the 27th, and next-to-last, overall pick in the 1993 MLB amateur draft. Colorado won the toss and chose to pick first overall. The three rounds of the draft were televised by ESPN . With the first pick, the Rockies chose David Nied , who had a 3–0 win–loss record with a 1.17 earned run average in six MLB appearances with the Atlanta Braves . The Marlins' first selection, Nigel Wilson , spent
3060-426: The team had the lowest payroll in Major League Baseball. At $ 15 million, the Marlins' 2006 payroll was lower than the salaries of several MLB players. However, Girardi was nearly fired on August 6 when he got into an argument with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria during a game. According to witnesses and video footage, the Marlins owner was heckling home plate umpire Larry Vanover . When the umpire warned Girardi about
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#17327975283173120-722: The third son of Jerry, a former blue collar worker and United States Air Force veteran, and Angela Girardi, was born in Peoria, Illinois , and grew up in East Peoria, Illinois and attended high school at the Spalding Institute . Girardi enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois , where he attended from 1983 through 1986. He played for the Northwestern Wildcats baseball team, where he
3180-437: Was a student-athlete at Northwestern University. Joe Girardi has four siblings: John Girardi, George Girardi, Maria Girardi, and Gerald Girardi. Professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Major League Baseball in
3240-745: Was a two-time All Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-American . In 1984, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star. In 1986, he earned a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering and was awarded the Big Ten Medal of Honor , which recognizes one male and one female student from the graduating class of each Big Ten member school for demonstrating joint athletic and academic excellence throughout their college career. He
3300-591: Was asked to speak to the hometown crowd after the Cubs' nationally televised matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals was cancelled by Commissioner Bud Selig , after Cardinals pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead earlier that day. Taking to the field microphone behind home plate, an emotional Girardi fought back tears as he said that "due to a tragedy in the Cardinal family" there would be no game that day. He never specified what had happened, instead asking fans to be respectful of
3360-486: Was considered a front-runner for the position. However, the Cubs chose to go with veteran manager Lou Piniella . Girardi took himself out of the running for the Washington Nationals ' managerial job shortly thereafter and returned to the broadcast booth for the YES Network in 2007. He said taking another managerial job would have meant a third move in as many years for his family. Despite Girardi's firing, he
3420-471: Was marred by numerous player injuries and controversies, resulting in the Yankees finishing 85–77 (tied 3rd in AL East) and missing the postseason for the first time since 2008. On October 10, 2013, Girardi signed a four-year deal worth $ 16 million to remain as manager of the New York Yankees. In 2014 the Yankees finished 84–78, (second place in AL East) and did not qualify for the postseason for
3480-682: Was rewarded for his achievements with the Marlins in 2006 with the National League Manager of the Year Award and the Sporting News Manager of the Year Award for the National League. In June 2007 after the Baltimore Orioles fired manager Sam Perlozzo , Girardi interviewed for and was offered the position with the Orioles but turned it down. When the Yankees' managerial position became vacant after
3540-548: Was the first freshman to be elected president of a fraternity ( Alpha Tau Omega ) at Northwestern. The Chicago Cubs drafted Girardi in the fifth round of the 1986 MLB draft . He spent four seasons in the Cubs minor leagues system before making his major league debut. In 1986, Girardi batted .309 in 68 games with the Peoria Chiefs of the Midwest League . In 1989, he also played for the Águilas del Zulia in
3600-484: Was the only player selected in the expansion draft on the Marlins' 1997 World Series championship roster. However, the Marlins used the players selected in the expansion draft to craft their 1997 roster. The Marlins traded three players selected in the draft, Hoffman, Martínez and Berumen, to the San Diego Padres for Gary Sheffield , a key member of the 1997 Florida Marlins . However, other key players to
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