Joe Girardi Shows He's a Fan

A lot of times it seems like sports is nothing but a business for players and coaches, but sometimes you realize that these guys are real fans of the game, as well, not just emotionless actors. When Joe Girardi was introduced as the new manager of the Yankees, he told a couple of touching anecdotes that revealed just what this opportunity means to him. From the AP:

"I try not to get emotional, but my father hasn't spoke in a month. And when the lady who takes care of my father, he has Alzheimer's, showed him the picture of me as the new Yankee manager, my father said, 'Oh yeah,'" he said.
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"I got a call from Yogi last night and you realize the stature of the position when Yogi calls you at your house and says, 'Do I still get to come to spring training?'" Girardi said, lowering his voice to mimic that of Hall of Famer Yogi Berra.

Whether you cheer for the Yankees or not, it's hard not to read that and smile -- especially when you realize that it was his father's illness that prompted him to pass on the Orioles job this past summer. Also, Yankees fans should appreciate his choice uniform number: he's wearing No. 27, in honor of the 27th World Series title he hopes to deliver. He may or may not have a long leash with the Steinbrenner's, but he's pushing all the right buttons to connect with the fans.

Update: This isn't directly related but interesting nonetheless -- Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that even though managing the Yankees was Girardi's "dream job," he still played hardball during negotiations, forcing the team to match a $7.8 million contract offered by the Dodgers last week. Good for him.