With many former Philadelphia Phillies players, such as Andrew Knapp, Héctor Neris, and Ken Giles, finding new homes with new ballclubs this offseason, a former Phillies manager has followed suit to land a new gig for the 2024 season. It's just that the job isn’t exactly what people were expecting because of his managerial pedigree.
Joe Girardi will officially make his return to the YES Network as an analyst for the New York Yankees for the 2024 MLB season. He previously worked with the network first in 2004 following his playing career, and in 2007 following his debut MLB managerial stint with the Florida Marlins in 2006.
In a recent interview on the YES Network, Girardi was asked if he would feel odd broadcasting for the Yankees after managing the team for over 10 years. Girardi highlighted the fact that Aaron Judge is probably the only player remaining on the team he has coached before. It’s practically a new team to him as he doesn’t know the players, so it won’t present any weird feelings for him when working as a commentator.
Joe Girardi will return to the YES Network for the 2024 season. He discusses his return with @RealMichaelKay, @DonLagreca, and @Rosenbergradio. @TMKSonYES x @TMKSESPN pic.twitter.com/YoPtbBtBCh
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) February 2, 2024
When asked whether or not he would like to manage again, Girardi responded: “I do, but you know if I don’t get a chance, I’m okay with that too ... I love broadcasting too. It’s a great job and I’m really fortunate to be able to come back, you know, what I consider home to the Yankees and get a chance to do this again ... I’m really happy about it.”
So it seems he would be more than happy to work in either position if an opportunity presents itself.
Girardi had success with the Yankees before his Phillies stint
Girardi is perhaps most known for his time with the Yankees both as a player and a manager. He helped backstop the Bronx Bombers to three World Series titles between 1996 and 1999. Later, in a managerial role with the Yankees from 2008 to 2017, he led the team to three AL East division titles and one more World Series championship.
Girardi managed the Phillies from 2020 to 2022, taking over from Gabe Kapler following the 2019 season. He had less success this time around in his new tenure as the Phillies’ manager, leading them to a 132-141 record over two and a half seasons while failing to make a playoff appearance. He was eventually fired by the Phillies after a miserable 22-29 record to start the 2022 season.
Fans weren't sad to see him go:
Since then, Girardi has worked as a game analyst for the Chicago Cubs as part of the Marquee Sports Network. When Girardi begins his new gig with the YES Network, he will still continue his work with the Cubs and Marquee Sports Network, splitting his time between the two broadcasts. For someone who was a master of strategies and analyses in the clubhouse back in his managerial days, he will now be able to share his expertise in more than one place for the upcoming 2024 season.