” It was nice to see a lot of familiar faces, clubhouse people, gamers, coaches, front office people,” said Girardi, who returns for the Yankees home opener on July 29.
It was different, without his pinstripes, without the fans, without the sounds the arena is supposed to make. It was also the very same location Girardi spent so much of his life calling home, a field capable of producing feeling like no other.
” Sometimes, as much as its really valued, its uncomfortable because you dont really understand how to act when you get a standing ovation in the opposing arena,” Girardi stated last week. “I believe in a lot of methods, its really nice, and I got a lot of cheers when we played the Yankees in spring training [in Florida], however its a little unpleasant due to the fact that you do not know how to act.”
Awkwardness was unavoidable, even if 50,000-plus seats at Yankee Stadium were inhabited.
” That seemed type of normal, however youre on the opposite side and its various.”
Joe Girardis return to The Bronx was set to invite emotion, gratitude, passionate applause. Instead, the new Phillies supervisor returned to silence, as he faced his previous team for the very first time given that his tenure as Yankees manager ended after the 2017 season, one win shy of the World Series.
Joe GirardiCorey SipkinBefore another unusual night of baseball, Girardi didnt understand where to go, taking a series of unusual actions to the visiting clubhouse.
Quickly, Girardi, 55, was restored in time. He saw longtime Yankees employees. He talked with Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner throughout batting practice. He caught up with his replacement, Aaron Boone, while donning a red hat, t-shirt and face mask.
” I had 15, truly, fond years being here, whether I was a coach or a player or a supervisor,” Girardi stated prior to the game. “They were fantastic days and a great part of my life. Theres really a lot of fond memories.”
It began with 4 years behind the plate, including 3 World Series titles and a permanently Video game 6 triple which helped bring the Yankees their very first championship in 18 years. It ended after 10 years on the bench, featuring six playoff looks and the teams first title in 9 years.
” Sometimes, as much as its actually appreciated, its uncomfortable due to the fact that you do not truly know how to act when you get a standing ovation in the opposing arena,” Girardi stated last week.” Thats simply somewhat uncomfortable in and of itself because thats not something I actually did for 10 years,” Girardi said on a Zoom call before Mondays exhibit game. Quickly, Girardi, 55, was brought back in time.” I had 15, really, fond years being here, whether I was a gamer or a coach or a manager,” Girardi stated before the video game.
” Thats just rather uncomfortable in and of itself because thats not something I truly did for 10 years,” Girardi stated on a Zoom call prior to Mondays exhibit game. “I constantly can be found in through the garage, down the stairs, into the house clubhouse, and this, we came through the packing dock from center field, all the way around. That was various.”
