Girardi article in the Suntimes

by madog93 on Oct 4, 2006 7:39 AM CDT

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/deluca/82553,CST-SPT-deluca04.article

I just read this article about Joe Girardi and I am more in favor of him being the manager of the Cubs than I ever was. The Marlins were pissed at Girardi for not getting their younger catcher in the game to hit more. Joe wanted the vet catcher to work with the young pitchers more. The Marlins wanted Joe to take a look at some of the younger players more. Joe was trying to win. Isn't that what the manager is supposed to be trying to do?!?! For that matter, isn't it more important to develop a young pitching staff than a young catcher? The Marlins did have a no hitter this year. This may be a moot point though as the catcher who caught the no-no was Olivo. Joe Girardi did not expect the fire sale that took place right after he was hired.
I have heard some say they don't want him to be here becuase he doesn't allow facial hair. Who CARES! I don't care if he manages a team of bald headed monkies as long as they win. The only thing I thought sounded crazy was when I heard that Andre Dawson had to shave his moustache.
Joe understands the Cubs and he understands Cub fans. He grew up a die hard Cubs fan. I know this because I have met him and he told me this himself. I think he would be a good fit. Isn't that what most of us have been asking for for years now? We want a guy running the team that really cares. We already know we won't be getting ownership like this. At least we have a shot at having a manager like this.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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It'd be interesting to me...

With Joe Girardi managing, to see a catcher platoon of Henry Blanco and Geovony Soto.

Obvioulsy, I recognize the fact that Blanco could return to his former self (or worse) and be an offensive hole.

Here's my reasonings, though:
Barrett would only get marginally better as a defensive catcher with a former catcher as a manager. I don't think he would become great or even "pretty good". And what if Barrett is calling the wrong pitches in Joe's eyes? How do you see THAT playing out?

Blanco is that veteran and knowledgable presence this pitching staff needs. It's no coincidence, in my opinion, that our pitchers had some of their best year with veteran, good catchers Paul Bako and Damian Miller. I would love to see all this talent come to fruition and I think Blanco presents the best chance.

And could imagine Soto's development if he were sitting behind Blanco and started 40-some games?!?! He would be learning from both Girardi and Blanco. I don't recall how great of a defensive catcher Girardi was, but the fact he was is a manager (and one could say an "engineer") tells me he's a smart guy.

If we have all this young pitching talent, isn't the one thing we need, almost more than anything, is a catcher who can actually HANDLE a game.

I don't konw, just my thoughts.

Seriously, I don't need to win in '07 or '08. I can take two more 90-loss seasons if we have some talent to build with. Let's start over and do this right.

by tyger1147 on Oct 4, 2006 9:16 AM CDT reply actions

Miguel Olivo????

He got fired because he didn't play Miguel Olivo more?

The Marlins have a pitching staff that, by every account I've seen, is well developed. As Maddog pointed out, this is much more important than a young catcher.

Not only that, but look at the development of the everyday players: Ramirez, Uggla, Willingham, Jacobs.

I can't explain what happenened off the field, but on the field, Girardi is Manager of the Year especially when you consider what kind of season Willis had.

And he got fired bedcause Miguel Olivo didn't get enough at-bats. Let's nto think that Olivo is some great prospect. He is on his 4th organization and is already 28.

by NO100 on Oct 4, 2006 9:35 AM CDT reply actions

If you read between the lines

Girardi and Beinfest had a "my cock's bigger than yours" fight and Loria sided with Beinfest, the rest of the story is just justification.

by Santos Sorrow @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Oct 4, 2006 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Right.

It wasn't just Olivo; there were probably a ton of incidents like this, that's just one example.

IIRC Beinfest wanted Gonzalez last year and was overruled by Loria, who wanted Girardi. After Girardi dissed Loria in August, his fate was sealed.

They might have fired him even if they had made the playoffs.

by Al Yellon on Oct 4, 2006 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions

World Series Win

A World Series Win would not have been enough to save Girardi. In fact, it would have ensured it. Loria's prior actions in Montreal, his recent conduct in Florida and his dalliances with Las Vegas and the like, make it pretty clear that his objective in Florida is to either get a new stadium and sell with a massive profit or to make the Marlins so badly supported in the community that MLB will be compelled to move or contract them and Loria will make a massive profit once again (and move to yet another team for his same scheme). This is similar to the various "pirates" that moved around the US in the 50's and early 60's pirating local transit systems for the valuable real estate.

by Frustrated Fan on Oct 4, 2006 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions