Home » Archives » February 2007 » He Clearly Doesn't Get It
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02/28/2007: "He Clearly Doesn't Get It"
Last season, when the Florida Marlins hired rookie manager Joe Girardi to run the team, one of the concerns was how his lack of experience would impact his performance. After all, his only previous coaching assignment was one year as a bench coach for the Yankees, and he was only a couple of seasons removed from his playing days.
To his credit, he kept a rookie-filled Marlins squad competitive until the last weeks of the season, as the Marlins battled for the wild card spot. The Dodgers ended up with the WC, but the Marlins and Phillies played some tough games coming down the stretch, and ultimately knocked each other out of contention. Despite a season of overachievement, it was clear that Girardi and the front office didn't see eye to eye, and he was let go at the end of the year - even as he collected the NL Manager of the Year Award.
Now we're starting to learn just how out of touch Girardi might have been. Jon Lieber, pitcher for the Phillies, is quoted as saying that his 2006 season was saved by a tip from an unexpected source - Marlins manager Girardi!
Lieber said his season with the Philadelphia Phillies turned around shortly after he was roughed up by the Marlins last July 31, and he credits a phone call from Girardi, a former major league catcher. They played together with the Chicago Cubs from 2000-02.
"He just mentioned that the hitters said everything that was coming in was just very flat," Lieber told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I wasn't on top of the ball like I should have been."
Say what? I have news for Joe - if he's not wearing the same uni you are, you don't help out - especially after you just kicked his ass! Why not tip him off to your signs, while your at it. It's worth noting that Lieber had two more starts against the Fish coming down the stretch - and won both.
It might be a while before Girardi gets another shot at the top spot if this his idea of how the job should be done ...
