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11/15/2006: "Good Day To Be An Ex-Marlins Manager"

Major League Baseball announced their Managers of the Year for the recently completed season today, and it was no surprise to see the awards go to a pair of former Florida Marlins managers, Jim Leyland and Joe Girardi. Leyland, who led the Marlins to their first World Series victory in 1997, received his award for guiding the Detroit Tigers to the American League pennant only three years removed from a season in which they lead the majors in losses. But it was the recognition of Girardi, the first-year manager who was fired in spite of keeping the rookie-laden Marlins in the playoff chase until the last week of the season, that will receive the most attention. Asked if he felt the award represented vindication, Joe showed that while he may have moved on, he still hasn't fully let go ...

"I don't know if vindication is a good word, just because as a manager, you want to manage ... it's nice that people who watch the game every day understood what we accomplished," Girardi said, adding he wasn't particularly surprised to win. "We had a lot of good things happen."

Knowing this day would come, the Marlins organization bit their tongue and tried to be gracious.

"We are pleased for Joe and we wish him well," the team said.

The rift between the upper management and their field boss clearly impacted Girardi's chances at another managerial job, at least in the short term. Despite several interviews for open positions, Joe will be returning to the YES Network as a Yankee broadcaster. He was quick to point out that his contract has an escape clause, should the right job present itself ...