Phillies manager Joe Girardi’s must-see postgame speech after win No. 1,000
When the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals 3-2 Wednesday evening, it not only helped the team eventually move into the eighth and final National League playoff spot the following day, but it also set a milestone for skipper Joe Girardi — his 1,000th career managerial win.
In reaching the milestone, GIrardi became the fourth Phillies manager to earn his 1,000th win with the team, as well as became the 16th-fastest skipper in Major League Baseball history to reach the milestone — and the fastest since Davey Johnson in 1999.
After the game, Phillies players gave Girardi a bottle of champagne and Bryce Harper made a clubhouse speech. Girardi followed with his own comments in an emotional speech, saying he feels he has “really been blessed.”
Joe Girardi celebrated his 1000th career win earlier this week.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) August 29, 2020
Here's a look at the emotional moment following the milestone inside the clubhouse. pic.twitter.com/x2dSpOtjVL
“Not everyone gets this opportunity. I would tell you that the uniform is a privilege. Keep it on as long as you can. Whenever you get an opportunity to put it on even longer, do it,” Girardi continued in the speech. “Without you guys, this never happens. I don’t win any games — none.”
“I just get to coach great players and have great coaches. God bless all of you and stay healthy.”
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The 55-year-old is in his 12th season as a manager, following a 15-year Major League Baseball playing career as a catcher. Girardi won 78 games with the Florida Marlins in 2006, followed by a 910-win, 10-year stint as manager of the New York Yankees — that included a 2009 World Series win opposite the Phillies and their all-time winningest manager Charlie Manuel (780 wins).
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Fittingly, Girardi and Manuel were tied on the all-time MLB managerial wins list when the newest Phillies manager reached win No. 1,000.
Now, thanks to Scott Kingery‘s three-run walk-off home run in extras against the Atlanta Braves Friday evening, Girardi has surpassed the 2008 World Series-winning manager on the list.