BroadwayJoe12 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 This is for TylerD and all the other hardcore Yankee fans. Thought it was a good read and just something nice. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/02/23/2009-02-23_yankees_manager_joe_girardi_cancels_prac.html Yankees manager Joe Girardi cancels practice for team billiards outing BY Mark Feinsand DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Tuesday, February 24th 2009, 4:50 PM Chien-Ming Wang takes his best shot as Joe Girardi takes the Yankees to a pool hall. Andy Pettitte gives fellow pitcher Joba Chamberlain a few pointers. TAMPA - It's rare to see a baseball manager take a page out of a football coach's playbook, but that's precisely what Joe Girardi did Monday. Instead of running the Yankees through their typical workout, Girardi surprised his players with an impromptu field trip, loading more than 60 players and the entire coaching staff on a bus and heading for a Tampa-area pool hall. "I've never been on a team that did something like this before, but I often wondered why," Girardi said. "There are a lot of other sports that do these types of things; get away from the park, enjoy each other off the field like you do on the field and get to know each other." The event was reminiscent of the casino night Tom Coughlin set up for Giants players during minicamp in June 2007, and the bowling trip the head coach organized during training camp later that summer. People familiar with the Giants said those events not only helped players grow closer but, more importantly, allowed them to observe a human side of Coughlin that had not previously been seen. For Girardi, who often carried a drill sergeant label with him during his first year in the manager's office, a little good will can't hurt. "Every year that you're here as a manager, you want to have more and more knowledge about your players and their personalities," Girardi said. "You want to feel closer in a sense to your players so that you can read between the lines most of the time." New slugger Mark Teixeira called the event "probably the most fun I've ever had in spring training in my whole career," a sentiment Johnny Damon seemed to share. "Today is one of those days that, as a ballplayer, you'll never forget," Damon said. "I don't think any team has ever really done this. It's a day I'll never forget. It says a lot about Joe. He knows we've been working hard and he rewarded us with a day off." Aside from the pool tournament, players occupied their time with card games, dominoes and darts, making for a relaxed environment that isn't typically found during a spring practice. "Usually during the season, you get to hang out with guys because we're always on the same bus or the same plane. Our schedules are identical," Teixeira said. "In spring training, you don't go on trips together, the pitchers have different schedules than the hitters and the hitters are in different groups, so there might be a couple guys you don't get to know at all." Players were paired up for two separate tournaments, though they both had one thing in common: Mariano Rivera was on the winning team in both instances, partnering with Phil Coke and Andy Pettitte in the two tourneys. "He definitely had that closer mentality," Damon said. "Even playing pool." The winners and losers were irrelevant for Girardi, who hoped to accomplish two things with his unconventional activity. First, he wanted to reward his players for their hard work with a day off from camp, and in the process, allow them to get to know each other in a non-baseball setting before they hit the field Wednesday for the first of 37 exhibition games. "We thought it would be a good idea for them to compete and enjoy themselves, let them interact and be loud, talk some trash," Girardi said. "I would have loved to have gone bowling, but we can't do that. We have too many arms in camp. Pool is safe. I'm sure guys would have loved some jet-ski races or something like that." Girardi bounced the idea for the pool outing off a few players a day or two earlier, and the feedback he received was all positive. "It's a day for us to forget about baseball a little bit," Jorge Posada said. "To have everybody in the same room, hanging out together talking and having fun without the uni on, it's something different." Something different, indeed. Monday was a day without any talk of steroids, injuries, position battles or any of the other controversy that makes its way into Steinbrenner Field on a daily basis. "For Joe to let us take a day off from practice like that, it makes you want to work even harder for him," Damon said. "I think everybody had a great time. We got to see who's been spending too much time at the pool hall and we know the ones that don't spend enough time in there." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiLMiCKMANTLE Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 yea now watch Beckett get tendonisdious in his elbow from playing to much 8-ball.. then what Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jets Voice of Reason Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 yea now watch Beckett get tendonisdious in his elbow from playing to much 8-ball.. then what I'm really hoping Burnett has a healthy year. Besides from actually being injury prone, a lot of people were wondering whether he's just soft and wouldn't suck it up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted February 25, 2009 Author Share Posted February 25, 2009 yea now watch Beckett get tendonisdious in his elbow from playing to much 8-ball.. then what I never wish injury upon another player, but I guess I wouldn't be too heartbroken or lose any sleep if Beckett got a little elbow tendinitis I would be quite upset if Burnett came down with anything, but the word outta spring training is everyone is very impressed with his work ethic, so if he does get something it certainly won't be for not keeping himself in shape. Also, Tino (my favorite player of the late yankee dynasty) has said that working with Tex has been a privilege and can't wait to see him play. So i'm excited to have a gold glover back at that position. As much as I loved the Giambino, I cannot wait to see our first baseman be able to throw it to second base haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jets Voice of Reason Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 I never wish injury upon another player, but I guess I wouldn't be too heartbroken or lose any sleep if Beckett got a little elbow tendinitis I would be quite upset if Burnett came down with anything, but the word outta spring training is everyone is very impressed with his work ethic, so if he does get something it certainly won't be for not keeping himself in shape. Also, Tino (my favorite player of the late yankee dynasty) has said that working with Tex has been a privilege and can't wait to see him play. So i'm excited to have a gold glover back at that position. As much as I loved the Giambino, I cannot wait to see our first baseman be able to throw it to second base haha. +1. I never understood how a muscle bound guy like him throws so weak and inaccurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uart Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Mo won both tournaments... is there nothing he can't do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Joe Girardi is the Herm Edwards of baseball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 Mo won both tournaments... is there nothing he can't do? Close out the Diamondbacks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Joe Girardi is the Herm Edwards of baseball. You blasphemous son of a bitch! haha I think this was a good move on his part, definitely a good change of pace from his drill-sergeant like demeanor. On a sidenot, I still cannot believe how good of shape Girardi is in, was he like this during the 90's when he was playing?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Joe Girardi is the Herm Edwards of baseball. You hated for Girardi is just funny. He could win the next 5 world series as the manager of the New York Yankees and you would bash him for not winning 6 in a row. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jets Voice of Reason Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Joe Girardi is the Herm Edwards of baseball. That couldn't be further from the truth. All indications were that he was too hard on the veterans last year. No music, no junk food in the locker room... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Both Hermie and Clueless Joe are all catchphrases and empty rhetoric with no results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted February 26, 2009 Author Share Posted February 26, 2009 Both Hermie and Clueless Joe are all catchphrases and empty rhetoric with no results. You're honestly saying no results after 1 year? I would say that he's done a heck of a good job so far. He finished with 89 wins, good for 9th best in the bigs?? dealing with a plethora of injuries. -Lost our ace, Wang, for the year after 6 starts? When he was 4-1 -Lost Jorge for the year -Lost Bruney for most of the year -Arod was on the 15-day DL and battled some hamstring issues -Jeter played with a bum wrist for the majority of the season -Lost hughes for the year -Joba went on the 15-day towards the end of the season...In all honesty, I would like to see what the Sox or most other teams could do if they lost their Ace and one of their best hitters. He also handled the bullpen a hell of a lot better than Torre ever did, which helped showcase some of the talent we have in our minor league systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morrissey Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 You're honestly saying no results after 1 year? I would say that he's done a heck of a good job so far. He finished with 89 wins, good for 9th best in the bigs?? dealing with a plethora of injuries. -Lost our ace, Wang, for the year after 6 starts? When he was 4-1 -Lost Jorge for the year -Lost Bruney for most of the year -Arod was on the 15-day DL and battled some hamstring issues -Jeter played with a bum wrist for the majority of the season -Lost hughes for the year -Joba went on the 15-day towards the end of the season...In all honesty, I would like to see what the Sox or most other teams could do if they lost their Ace and one of their best hitters. He also handled the bullpen a hell of a lot better than Torre ever did, which helped showcase some of the talent we have in our minor league systems. Matsui was also out majority of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Both Hermie and Clueless Joe are all catchphrases and empty rhetoric with no results. . This much anger after 1 season is kinda over-reacting. Considering our starting rotation last year and our injuries we missed the playoffs. I'm not saying he's the greatest manager ever, but I think the success Torre had was on the verge of "unprecedented". Let's temper our anger and if he fails this season then back to back years of failure then we can get upset about him sucking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Giradi is better than torreeeeeeee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shutout Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 . This much anger after 1 season is kinda over-reacting. Considering our starting rotation last year and our injuries we missed the playoffs. I'm not saying he's the greatest manager ever, but I think the success Torre had was on the verge of "unprecedented". Let's temper our anger and if he fails this season then back to back years of failure then we can get upset about him sucking. To Bob's credit, he's had this much anger towards Girardi as the Yanks' manager before he even actually got the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxman Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Close out the Diamondbacks Leave it alone SD, it will grow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jets Voice of Reason Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Leave it alone SD, it will grow. Hatred? Love? The hair on his back? You gotta be more specific Max! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Dierking Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 You're honestly saying no results after 1 year? I would say that he's done a heck of a good job so far. He finished with 89 wins, good for 9th best in the bigs?? dealing with a plethora of injuries. -Lost our ace, Wang, for the year after 6 starts? When he was 4-1 -Lost Jorge for the year -Lost Bruney for most of the year -Arod was on the 15-day DL and battled some hamstring issues -Jeter played with a bum wrist for the majority of the season -Lost hughes for the year -Joba went on the 15-day towards the end of the season...In all honesty, I would like to see what the Sox or most other teams could do if they lost their Ace and one of their best hitters. He also handled the bullpen a hell of a lot better than Torre ever did, which helped showcase some of the talent we have in our minor league systems. Hal, is that you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 To Bob's credit, he's had this much anger towards Girardi as the Yanks' manager before he even actually got the job. Lol that's fine, but to compare him to Herm Edwards who's had almost no measure of success in the NFL is a bit much right now. Let's see how he does this year. I'm hopeful for the Yanks this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeebers Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Herm Edwards made the playoffs his first year, if I am not mistaken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Herm Edwards made the playoffs his first year, if I am not mistaken. True. Herm > Clueless Joe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GimmeShelter Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 That couldn't be further from the truth. All indications were that he was too hard on the veterans last year. No music, no junk food in the locker room... Actually some Vets said they did not know their roles...questioned days off etc. I am not a big Girardi fan but he has all the gifts money could buy this year so let's see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicious89x Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 True. Herm > Clueless Joe. Lol. Love guys like you, you savor the "I told you so" more then anything in life. That's cool, but if Joe makes the playoffs this year and we go past the first round, be sure to take your medicine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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