I think most intelligent sport fans knew the real reason, he did not take the Oriole's job, so he could be available for Torre's spot.

George is mad that he is losing $21 of Texas money!

What do you think of the rumors of Torre, Mattingly and Hill going to the Dodgers?

It was nice of MB to give Boras a slap on the face. Not that Boras could care. It was very stupid of him to upstage the World Series. But, thats exactly the kind of guy he is.
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And how about A-Rod possibly joing them in L.A.? I like that story line.
-- Bill O.

The biggest mistake the Steinbrenners made was not signing Don Mattingly. I thought that considering the Yanks recent postseason woes over the last few years that Mr. Torre being the manager needs to take a certain amount of responsibility. I'd expect his reaction from young immature players but not a person as revered as himself. The Yanks latest offer with incentives was very generous taking these circumstances into consideration. As far as Girardi goes I think the guy is overrated. He took a mediocre team in a league where the other teams were even worst and won the world series. Anyone can get lucky once. A-Rod is an idiot. I use to like this guy but once again the bottom line is always about greed. A lot of these guys would have little to offer society if it weren't for their athletic skills. But because of it, they and their greedy agents ultimately hold the fans hostage with insane demands. And ultimately it's the fans who will pay. Giving into these guys and worst, defending their actions shows the weak character of our society in general.
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Bruce,
Thanks for writing. But just to clarify Girardi's managing record. When he coached the Marlins, he was named manager of the year in the NL but the team merely contended for a wildcard and finished fourth. He got a lot of credit because they had a rock bottom $14 million payroll. But I understand your point that he may have gotten lucky in a situation where little was expected.
-- Bill O.

This is a remarkably ignorant post. Joe Girardi's father is dying. Got that? D-Y-I-N-G. That you would dismiss his desire to spend time with his Dad as "mumbling something about family considerations" is despicable. Girardi, to his credit, does not go out of his way to discuss this publicly, but neither has it been a secret. (And let's just set aside the fact that refusing to work for the worst organization in professional sports also speaks well of his business acumen).

Also, why exactly is it "disloyal" to reject one ex-Yankee when hiring another? Makes no sense at all.
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Manfredo,
Thanks for reading and writing. You're certainly entitled to your opinion but are you saying that Mattingly's service to the Yankees and Girardi's are equivalent -- and therefore that Mattingly isn't entitled to the Steinbrenners' loyalty here? And certainly I'm sympathetic to anyone's family situation but if Torre had been fired at that point in the season and Girardi offered the New York job, would he have turned that one down? I am not making out Girardi to be a bad guy for making the move his did, it turned out great for him, but from and Orioles' fan point of view, it's one more reason to root against the Yankees.
-- Bill O.

The possibility of the Yankees' job opening up is probably one reason Girardi turned down the O's.

The fact that somebody would rather manage the Yankees than the Orioles (at maybe 3 times the money, or more) is not exactly a shocker. Considering the money alone, there is no reason for anybody to feel dissed.

Giradi also knew that he would get other offers if the NYY thing didn't work out.
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Phil,
Thanks for writing. You are absolutely correct that waiting for the Yankees job was likely to present a more lucrative situation for Giradi. Was it a smart move on his part? You betcha. Do I blame him? Nope. But should Orioles fans have even more incentive to root against the Yanks with Girardi in the dugout -- geez, I would certainly hope so.
-- Bill O.

How can anybody put Girardi in the same category as Mattingly as being an Yankee alumn.?

Girardo only play for 4 years with the Yankees and 11 years with 2 other clubs.

Until Jeter arrived on the scene. Mattingly was Mr Yankee.

I grew up in NYC during the 70s/80s, so it's hard not to be a Yanks fan. The team is going back to its early 80s style, destined again to fail fast with the changes by management.

I agree with you about how management considered Torre "player's manager" and that this hurt Mattingly too. I frequently read an essay "on winning" that Torre wrote for Business Week last year. It's a great writeup on his philosophy on coaching people. Girardi is the opposite of Torre.

Yanks management cut Torre's salary by 1% of their total payroll. This perhaps because Torre was too nice to his players, as if that's why they didn't win the World Series. But how about making someone responsible for paying Clemens $28 million, for what?

The Yanks will end up with unhappy players under Girardi. I don't think the Os players needed that.
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Ed,
Thanks for writing and for an interesting perspective from a Yankees' fan's point of view. Just as a fan of good people, I was sorry to see the association between Torre and the Yankees end. It was a perfect match between a sports figure and a city. Good luck.
-- Bill O.

Bedard's injuries:

2003 ligament replacement surgery, missed most of season

2005 strained left knee, won only 1 of his last 15 starts, and missed two months,

2007 strained oblique, missed last six weeks

Correct me if I am wrong. The contract that Girardi is signing is worth more than the amount of money offered Torre. If that is true, that is another slap in the face to Torre. I am also starting to hear rumblings out of New York that they claim Torre was a sub-par manager before the Yankees and will go back to that mode with his next team. I think thats just their way of spining the views of their fans.
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Capt.,
The numbers that are being reported are higher than the Torre offer, assuming that we we think we know about the two is accurate. Look, Steinbrenner & Sons are glad as can be things worked out gis way. And Joe's record pre-Yankees being mediocre. Here's my thought. So was Casey Stengel's.
-- Bill O.