Joe Girardi: World Series Champion Manager and Good Samaritan

As if managing the New York Yankees to their historic 27th World Series championship wasn't enough work for one night, Joe Girardi decided to do some more good on his way home from the new-and-improved Yankee Stadium. This time his work came in the form of humanitarian, not just filling out a lineup card full of baseball players for the entertainment of millions.

At about 2:25 AM Thursday morning, a woman named Marie Henry lost control of her vehicle on the Cross County Parkway in Eastchester, New York and crashed into a wall. Not only did Girardi stop to check on her well-being, but he also flagged down the police.

"He was jumping up and down, trying to flag me down," [officer Kathleen Cristiano] said. "You don't expect him standing by a car accident trying to help."

Cristiano had earlier seen Girardi as he passed through a sobriety checkpoint.

Henry did escape the accident without injury and declined to be taken to the hospital. For those who think what Girardi did was minor, though, you have another thing coming.

According to the police, Girardi ran across moving traffic to get across the highway and check on the accident.

"He could have gotten killed," county Sgt. Thomas McGurn said, adding that responding police units take extra precaution in that area because of the blind curve and speeding cars. "Traffic goes by at 80 mph."

Remember, Girardi had no way of knowing the woman in the accident was unharmed and he put himself at risk in the case he would be able to help an injured motorist.

In other news, Girardi's "Bucket List" is likely starting to take shape.

Major League Baseball player -- check.

Wife and kids -- check.

Major league All-Star -- check.

World Series champion as a player -- check.

World Series champion as a manager -- check.

Run through speeding traffic and be first on the scene to a car accident -- check.

Next stop: Mount Everest? Skydiving?

Godspeed, Joe.

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World Series 2009

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: The New York Yankees celebrate after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Johnny Damon

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World Series

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Mariano Rivera #42 (C) and Mark Teixeira #25 (L) of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Teixeira;Mariano Rivera

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: The New York Yankees celebrate after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joba Chamberlain

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees celebrates with his teammates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Derek Jeter

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 04: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on November 4, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alex Rodriguez

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)

11-05-2009 @ 1:12PM

tonytiger18 said...

Joe Gerardi is a class act, a family man,and the manager of the year all in one.

When he was named the manager of the year over Mattingly, a lot of NY fans weren't happy.
Many of the local radio guys didn't embrace him.
Even throughout this series, he was second guessed and criticized by this one radio guy on WFAN, a loyal Joe Torre asskisser.

Gerardi was steady all season. He used his pitchers effectively and did't burn them out.
He gave playing time to all of his bench players while resting his starters at key times during the season.

He protected his players when other teams started dumb things. He retaliated at the appropiate time, but never started things like Francona or Maddon did.

He knows the game and isn't afraid to go with his instincts. He isn't laid back like Joe Torre was.
He makes things happen instead of reacting to the other team's moves.I HAVE been a Yankee fan since the fifties and have seen a lot of managers, but you rank up there with all of the best. Billy Martin would have been prod of you, and Casey too!!!
Joe, seeing you yesterday with your family being thoughtful and spreading the praise, makes me more appreciative of all of your hard work.

Congratulations and thanks for your accomplishment.

11-05-2009 @ 3:07PM

racinob said...

Hey 'Gerardi' fan, it's GIrardi.

11-05-2009 @ 5:21PM

Hey Bob,
Thanks for the correction.
Regardless, he is a very good manager and I am glad that he manages the Yankees.
, so yes, I am a fan of what he has accomplished.

He is also humble and a good guy not like Manuel or Francona or Maddon.

11-05-2009 @ 7:01PM

sndmn600 said...

Hey 'Bob' its Girardi, not Glrardi.

11-05-2009 @ 8:49PM

jackfishoff said...

not only is this a great story...and joe not just showing yankee color but his true color, however let's give props to the writer of this one...god speed...JackFish

11-05-2009 @ 1:35PM

Jim Castro said...

I KNOW JOE FROM A CHURCH IN THE CHICAGO AREA ..
HIM AND I ALSO DID SOME WORK AT A HOmELESS SHELTER.
WHAT HE DID BOTH ON & OFF THE FIELD IS JOE..
JOE BE READY TO TAKE THAT CUB JOB IN THE FUTURE
YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST..

cardlifinc

11-05-2009 @ 1:48PM

Kim said...

come back to yur sweet home chicago!!

11-05-2009 @ 2:07PM

cubbyfan14 said...

I agree Jim and Kim. Pinella has been great in Chicago; but Joe would be absolutely awesome! Hometown guy does great!!

11-05-2009 @ 2:04PM

ocantare said...

I'm by no means a Yankees fan, but Joe Girardi is a class act, plain and simple.

11-05-2009 @ 2:10PM

ccschamp said...

Way to go Joe! I am not a Yankees fan(go Red Sox!) but I think Joe has more than proved that he is a great human being which more important than any baseball accomplishments. Also, I do compliment him on being able to guide and control his primadonna players like Jeter and A-Rod :) Joe had the best team that money can buy...

11-05-2009 @ 2:19PM

looiedl said...

prima-donna players like a-rod and jeter, okay a-rod maybe but like him or not you boston loser, jeter is no prima donna.

11-05-2009 @ 3:49PM

njgirlxxxx said...

Yes Jetter is a prima donna

11-05-2009 @ 4:12PM

John F. C. Taylor said...

Prima donna? Hmmm! Before I dispute you on your use of the word, I'd like to know what your definition of the word is. Only thing I will do is point out the consistancy of Derek Jeter's play throughout his career. If being one of the most consistant players over the span of his career makes him a prima donna, I hope the Yankees can find 8 more just like him.

11-05-2009 @ 5:31PM

greeniej said...

To this I say the Yankees had the best team because they spent their money wisely. They got rid of Giambi for a guy that could play the field and hit as well. Two for the price of one. Then of course when it came to pitching, they didn't throw their money out on a Dice K. so they got two for the price of one twice.

Spare on the best team money can buy. The Red sox are as guilty of that as anybody else.

11-05-2009 @ 5:38PM

landy992 said...

YOU MUST HAVE MEANT PRE-MADONNA FOR AROD

11-05-2009 @ 5:47PM

hpntwk said...

WO WO WO

DON'T EVER MENTION DERICK JETER IN THE SAME SENTICE WITH "AROD" "A " (fillin blank) could'nt hold a candle to Derick in ANY, ANY
THING ON OR OFF THE FIELD

11-05-2009 @ 6:34PM

nikfla78 said...

Typical comment from a Red Sux fan. Just sore the Blosox couldn't outbid the World Series Champs in order to buy themselves a Title

11-05-2009 @ 2:18PM

viking81964 said...

Recently Joe's daughter had to get braces, so for months she didn't want toget them. So Joe, not only being in busiest time in his life with the baseball. here's a man doing press confrences for the world to see. He made a deal with his daughter if she gets braces he'll get them also. and she agreed. Look closely The World Champion Yankee Manager Is wearing Braces!!!!

11-05-2009 @ 3:51PM

Must be nice to have the cash to do that. I know lots of parents who can't even afford to get their kids braces, never mind get them for a spoiled little brat.

11-05-2009 @ 5:41PM

jackie0733 said...

What a sweet story - now that's a neat Dad!! Joe and the rest of the Yankee team are a great bunch of guys. The best team in baseball, and last night they proved it!! Way to go, Yanks!

njgirlxxx - your comment is incredibly ignorant. He EARNS his salary and can spend it any way he likes.