Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi is returning to the broadcast booth.
Ever since Rob Thomson took over as interim manager of the Philadelphia Phillies in early June, the team has done nothing but exceed expectations — winning 43 of 65 games entering Wednesday’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
Expectations had been high entering the season — with the club signing free-agent sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos to exceed the luxury tax threshold for the first time in its history.
While the Phillies started with a promising 3-1 record under then-manager Joe Girardi, they would go on to win just 19 of their next 47 games for a 22-29 overall start through their first 51 games.
This underachieving record is what ultimately ended Girardi’s tenure as Phillies manager — earlier than what most fans likely expected when it was announced the 2009 World Series champion would replace Gabe Kapler starting in the 2020 season. Through 273 overall games as the Phillies skipper, Girardi finished nine games under .500 — 132-141.
Now more than two months removed from his firing, it appears he finally has landed a new gig. Wednesday morning, the Marquee Sports Network announced that the former major-league catcher would join their team as a Chicago Cubs game analyst.
In a press release, Girardi — who has previous broadcasting experience with YES Network, MLB Network and FOX Sports — said he is excited about the new opportunity:
"“I’m excited to join Marquee and look forward to working alongside Boog, JD and Taylor this weekend at Wrigley Field,” said Girardi. “Growing up a Cubs fan and then having the chance to play for the team for a number of years, I’m honored to now have the opportunity to broadcast from the historic television broadcast booth.”"
"I do think we're a better club than this."
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 3, 2022
After firing Joe Girardi, Dave Dombrowski discussed where the responsibility lies during the Phillies recent struggles. pic.twitter.com/IesuPKO7uV
Girardi will make his Marquee Sports Network broadcasting debut in the upcoming Cubs weekend home series against one of the teams the Phillies are competing with for a postseason spot — the Milwaukee Brewers (August 19-21). Girardi will next appear in the broadcast booth in the Cubs’ late-September road series against the Miami Marlins (September 19-21).
Girardi played seven seasons with the Cubs from 1989-92 and 2000-2002. He notable won three World Series championships with the Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999. Ten years later, against no other than the Phillies, he managed the franchise to its 27th title as manager.