The New York Yankees went
into the offseason of the 2010 season after failing to defend their World
Series crown and an early exit in the postseason. The Yankees faced much
uncertainty that offseason like they do most winters but this winter was a
little different as their manager Joe Girardi was a free agent.
Girardi was hired for the
2008 season on a three year deal to replace the popular and legendary Joe Torre
and promptly snapped the Yankees skid of 13 straight seasons of making the
postseason. This was not exactly the way the Yankees wanted to say goodbye to
Yankee Stadium and goodbye to Joe Torre but the team bounced back in 2009 to
win the World Series. The Yankees were back in the playoffs in 2010 but failed
to defend their crown leaving Girardi unsure about his job security.
The Chicago Cubs pursued
Girardi hard and heavy this offseason but ultimately on this day Girardi signed
a new three year deal to stay with the club. What would the state of the
Yankees be in today if Girardi had not signed on with New York and went back to
Chicago where he spent some of his playing career? Would the Yankees have made
the playoffs in 2011 and the ALCS in 2012? Would the Yankees have missed the
postseason in 2013 and 2014? Who knows! One thing I do know is that if he had
not signed on with New York on this day in 2010 Joe Maddon would probably be
donning pinstripes right about now.
It’s something to think
about anyway as we head towards a long and cold, dark winter.
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Sorry for the Capatcha... Blame the Russians :)