The New York Yankees announced Thursday that Joe Girardi will not return as manager after 10 years with the club.
Girardi, like former Nationals manager Dusty Baker, had his contract expire and the Yankees chose not to negotiate a new deal. Girardi concluded a four-year, $16 million contract.
Girardi won a World Series with the Yankees in 2009, but went 17-20 in the playoffs in the following years. This season, the Houston Astros eliminated the Yankees in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Girardi helped managed the Yankees past preseason expectations with a young up-and-coming team to the ALCS.
But the now-former Yankees manager faced heavy criticism for not challenging a game-turning hit by pitch in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians. The Indians went on to immediately hit a grand slam, cutting the Yankees’ lead to 8-7 and eventually won 9-8 in 13 innings.
The Yankees’ vacancy becomes one of the best jobs in baseball with a series of young stars, including AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge and catcher Gary Sanchez.
Girardi went 910-710 as the Yankees manager.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.