Highly criticized former Phillies manager signs new contract until 2024 season
Working on games with the team he earned many World Series victories with, Joe Girardi has taken a new position with the YES Network.
A former Phillies manager has followed suit by landing a new position for the 2024 season, joining a number of former players, including Andrew Knapp, Héctor Neris, and Ken Giles, who found new homes with new ballclubs this offseason. Due to his administrative background, the position isn’t exactly what people were expecting.
For the 2024 MLB season, Joe Girardi will formally return to the YES Network as an analyst for the New York Yankees. He had previously worked for the network in 2004 after finishing his playing career and again in 2007 after taking over as manager of the Florida Marlins for the first time in 2006.
Girardi was asked if he would find it strange to broadcast for the Yankees after leading the team for more than ten years during a recent appearance on the YES Network. Girardi emphasized that Aaron Judge is perhaps the only member of the squad whom he has coached in the past. Since he doesn’t know the players, it’s almost like a new team to him, therefore he won’t experience any strange emotions when covering it as a commentator.
In response to the question of whether he would like to take on management once more, Girardi said, “I do, but you know if I don’t get an opportunity, I’m cool with that too. I also adore broadcasting. It’s a fantastic job, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to return to the Yankees’ home town and have the opportunity to do this once more. I’m overjoyed about it.
It appears that he would be more than willing to work in either capacity if the chance arose.
Probably the most well-known aspect of Girardi’s career is his tenure as a manager and player with the Yankees. From 1996 to 1999, he supported the Bronx Bombers to three World Series championships. Later, from 2008 to 2017, he managed the Yankees, taking the team to three AL East division crowns and one more World Series victory.
Girardi succeeded Gabe Kapler as manager of the Phillies after the 2019 season, and he would do so until 2022. In his second stint as the Phillies’ manager, he was less successful, managing the team to a 132-141 record over two and a half seasons without making it to the postseason. The Phillies ultimately let him go after he had a dismal 22-29 record to begin the 2022 campaign.
Since then, Girardi has been employed by the Chicago Cubs as a Marquee Sports Network game analyst. Girardi will continue to work for the Cubs and Marquee Sports Network after starting his new position with the YES Network, dividing his time between the two broadcasts. In the clubhouse throughout his management tenure, he was a master of strategies and analyzes. For the next 2024 season, he will be able to offer his knowledge in other locations.
