Girardi's (Over?)-Managing Steals Show

In the end, only Joe Girardi -- and maybe the people who compiled the scouting binder he kept checking in the Yankees dugout during the latter stages of Game 3 of the ALCS -- will know exactly why he managed the way he did Monday night.

That doesn't mean anyone, especially the large contingent of New York fans and media, are going to stop wondering, asking, probing to see what was going through the Yankee manager's mind in a 5-4 loss to the Angels.

Girardi pulled a lot of levers -- more than anyone this side of Tony La Russa normally does -- as the Angels and Yankees battled into extra innings.

To recap:

Scouting Perspective: Insight on Girardi's Thought Process
Game 3: Angels 5, Yankees 4 (11) | Box Score | Series Home
Fletcher: Rocky Road From June Low to October High for Kendrick

• Girardi used seven relievers after starter Andy Pettitte departed the game in the seventh inning. Not one of them got more than five outs, and when the game ended Chad Gaudin was the only pitcher in the bullpen.

• He also used 12 of his 14 position players, with only Jose Molina -- all but unavailable as the backup catcher -- and Freddy Guzman -- almost exclusively on the bench as a pinch-runner -- left over.

• He lost the designated hitter in the 10th inning when, in a bases-loaded, one-out jam, he pulled left fielder Johnny Damon and shifted designated hitter Jerry Hairston Jr. (who came in for pinch-runner Brett Gardner, who replaced regular DH Hideki Matsui) to the outfield to get a better throwing arm than Damon's out there. As a consequence, he also had to pull all-world closer Mariano Rivera after just one inning -- the 10th -- because he was due up third in the next half-inning.

Hairston Jr., by the way, did not have to make a throw, and his arm, while better than Damon's, is not a game-changer and probably wouldn't have made much of a difference.

• Finally, and perhaps most puzzling of all, Girardi replaced David Robertson with Alfredo Aceves in the 11th after Robertston recorded two outs without allowing a hit. Robertson, a right-hander, was pitching well and Howie Kendrick, the batter due up first, is not much of a home run threat, though he did go deep earlier in the game. Aceves, also a right-hander, promptly lost the game. With just one pitcher left other than CC Sabathia, his Game 4 starter, and A.J. Burnett, his Game 2 starter, Girardi got very cute, replacing a righty with a righty.

So, like, what was up with that Joe?

"As far as Robertson, we like the matchup with Ace better, the two guys. And it didn't work," said Girardi of his decision to put Aceves in after Robertson faced just two hitters. "It's just different kind of stuff against those hitters. And we have all the matchups, and all the scouting reports, and we felt that, you know, it was a better matchup for us."

What those scouting reports are remain a mystery, not that anyone should expect Girardi to divulge the full thought process behind the way he managed.

Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland added little to Girardi's cryptic comments.

"We just liked the matchup better, and Ace had [Howie] where he wanted to, he just couldn't make the pitch to put him away. And still, it was a five-hopper up the middle or a 10-hopper up the middle, but he just wasn't able to make that one pitch to put him away."

At least the decision to lose the DH, and subsequently limit Rivera to only an inning, made a little more sense after the game.

"We thought we had [Mariano] for an inning. I didn't feel that I could stretch him out any further than that in that situation because of what we did the other day with him," he said, referring to Rivera's 2 1/3-inning outing in Game 2. "So he had that inning, and that was it."

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Yankees Angels Photos

New York Yankees third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar in the eighth inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)

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Orange County Register

Angels vs. Yankees

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Los Angeles Angels Erick Aybar hugs Howard Kendrick after he scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)

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Los Angeles Angels catcher Jeff Mathis watches his game-winning hit in the 11th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Michael Goulding/Orange County Register/MCT)

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The Los Angeles Angels celebrate their 11th inning victory over the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/MCT)

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Los Angeles Angels' Jeff Mathis hits a double to score Howie Kendrick to beat the Yankees 5-4 during the eleventh inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. Yankees' Derek Jeter watches in foreground. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Los Angeles Angels Jeff Mathis drives in the winning run to beat the New York Yankees in the 11th inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/MCT)

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New York Yankees Jerry Hairston can't catch the game-winning hit off Los Angeles Angels Jeff Mathis in the 11th inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. (John Keating/Newsday/MCT)

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Los Angeles Angels' Jeff Mathis (5), back left, is congratulated by teammates after hitting a double to score Howie Kendrick to beat the Yankees 5-4 in the eleventh inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Girardi said that he would have considered stretching Rivera further had the Yankees been able to take the lead in the top of the 11th.

This is Girardi's first trip to the postseason as a manager, and, for better or worse, he seems determined to put his stamp on every game. In the Yankees' six playoff games this year, he's made 29 pitching changes and gotten 22 innings of work out of his bullpen.

He certainly made an impression on his opponents.

"It was like spring training. I felt like we were in spring training. Joe pulled all the tricks out today," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "That lets you know how much they wanted it. Never gave up. Even though they're up 2-0 [in the series] they tried to pull every trick in the book today. I commend them on that."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 18)

10-20-2009 @ 12:33AM

stannsac2 said...

I have been a baseball fan for 50 years and have seen lots of things.
But,they can say anything they would like,Joe Gerardi cost his team that game.I have never seen such a clear case of over managing in all my years.
I cant ever remember being so disgusted with a managers work.
No question that for whatever reason,he made himself too big a part of the game.
I guess after Rivera got him out of that jam and made him look smart ,he thought he had the Midas touch.
Damon is a pretty average fielder but Hairston is a LIFETIME Professional minor leaguer.
There was other things they dont mention too.
What the hell were they doing losing Matsuis bat in the middle of the game to attempt a steal(with Gardner) when they were DOWN by a run with heavy hitters coming up?
The removal of Robertson was ridiculous for lots of reasons.
The main one being that he was breezing,getting comfortable and the big guns were coming up in their half.Gerardi made sure they neever got a chance.
Besides that,what if the game went 16 innings?
Who was coming in to pitch? Him?
Now I know why Florida canned this guy.
I admit I am not a fan of his especially since I feel in my heart he lobbied for the job while doing Yankee commentary.
He was a lousy player and he is a lousy manager.
Here is a tip Joe...your team has all the talent they need to win it all. Just please stay out of their way.This is a Casey Stengal type team...go to sleep Joe.They will wake you for the celebration.

10-20-2009 @ 6:39AM

jbshapiro5 said...

You may have been a baseball fan for 50 years, but you need to become a student of the game. If Andy would have pitched "balls" to Vladimer the way he was told, the Yankees would have won in regulation.

10-20-2009 @ 7:42AM

Hugh said...

Clearly, Girardi made some mistakes. I hope the Yankees win because Girardi is no match for Charlie Manuel and the Fightin' Phils are just hitting their stride. Here come the pain train. Go Phils!

10-20-2009 @ 8:29AM

Rick said...

He's only being questioned because they lost that game. He did the same thing in game 2 where they won in 13 innings. Has anyone accused him of "over-managing" in that game, too?

10-20-2009 @ 8:32AM

Jerome said...

Cry me a river.

10-20-2009 @ 8:43AM

maryannp30 said...

What more is there to say....you are absolutely right...he is actually finding ways to blow it and with the team he has he should just sit back and let them play their game...no one even mentions why he took Hughes out...he was lights out, cool as Mariano, had only thrown what 16 pitches? he could have gone the inning and then they could have used Mariano next...its the playoffs, we finally have the team, finally have A-Rod with his act together and we have a rookie playoff manager who has the butterflies...could it be his butt is cooked if he can't win with the team of all-stars they have given him?

10-20-2009 @ 8:58AM

taguacipa said...

The same happened in game 3 with Boston Francona got smart and pulled wagner out and put the no tallent hack Papelbon in and they lost the game. It over managing micro managing.

10-20-2009 @ 9:27AM

dcs823 said...

that was probably the best comment ever posted! you covered it all and i wish joe gerardi could read this!!!

10-20-2009 @ 9:32AM

eastendrm said...

The blame does not totally lie with gerardi, we blasted four solo home runs A rod and jeter are doing their part why the hell cant we get someone on base and not have to get girardi in a panic mode. bases loaded twice early on ...no one else could put the game away when we had them on the ropes

10-20-2009 @ 9:40AM

jejozi said...

Joe Girardi was hardly a "lousy" player. Was he Johnny Bench or Pudge Rodreguiz? No, but he was a very serviceable catcher for 15 seasons. And they don't let idiots into Northwestern, even their athletes are on the bright side. Plus, he was manager of the year in his first year of managing. Typical crybaby Yankee fan.

10-20-2009 @ 9:47AM

wv8man said...

AMEN BROTHER!!!!!!!!

10-20-2009 @ 9:48AM

JPMoldman79 said...

i agree with you all the way ,if he blows this chance to get to the world series he should be fired on the spot jp

10-20-2009 @ 9:49AM

new york yankees said...

now that was good..yes go to sleep we will wake you up when we win...well put

10-20-2009 @ 10:18AM

dpjf said...

I agree 110%. Joe replaced Damon after he basically saved the game backing up MO's throw to third.

I still can't believe replacing Robertson.... If he had given up the single maybe. But he faced 2 batters and got them both out.

What was the conference with Andy? Hey throw a fast ball down the middle and see if he can reach the bullpen! He did!!!

The Yankees have actually saved his butt in other games where he has over-managed.

10-20-2009 @ 10:21AM

ltpar said...

Stan, it is easy for any of us to sit on the couch, arm chair quarterback a sports event and pretend we are an expert. That's why you are a spectator and Joe Girardi is a major league manager. He didn't make it to the big time overnight and has paid his dues, especially with a team like the Yankees. Bottom line here is save your expertise and critique for the Fantasy Leagues and leave the real managing to someone who knows what they are doing.

10-20-2009 @ 10:49AM

tyrone b. eubendorfer III said...

The Yankees lost the last game because of Girardi. They will lose the rest of their games because NOBODY wants to read another BOOK on this board like STANNSAC2's (the first comment above!). Damn Stannsac, keep it to a couple of sentences. MY FREAKIN' EYES HURT AFTER READING YOUR COMMENT!!!

10-20-2009 @ 11:00AM

chuckie said...

You manage extra inning games to win now, not three inning later. Cut the guy some slack. If Andy didn't groove the home run ball that both Joe and Jorge both said NOT to throw, the game would have been over.

Too much second guessing...if they won, he'd be a genius this morning. That's baseball, folks!

10-20-2009 @ 11:30AM

HI CMA MAN said...

Who cares. This is just baseball, which is a sport of wanna be athletes, who, most of them would be in jail, if they didn't get lucky.

10-20-2009 @ 11:50AM

abfebf said...

agree 199%. Girardi thinks it's about him. It's not. The yanks have an excellent team. Texiera is the smartest player on the team...always in the right position, always making the right play. Having Demarte on the roster instead of Bruney...big mistake. Having Demarte to come in for Coke to pitch to a "lefthander"...stupid. In the end the yanks, on talent and desire, may win it all despite Girardi. If I was Steinbrenner I would have fired this idiot last night.