New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi got frustrated with media members Thursday over constant questions about his lineups.
MLB managers have the unfortunate task of having to speak to media members about 162 games each and every season. Every decision is put under a microscope, while managers understand the season is a marathon.
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has to answer the same questions, but is also under the largest microscope in the market of New York City.
An article on ESPN.com explains how Girardi lost his temper with reporters after being asked about changes to his lineup:
"“Who do you want me to lead off? Tell me,” Girardi asked, according to reports, before a 5-4 win over the Tigers. “You guys have these questions, but you want me to lead Tex (Mark Teixeira) off? You want me to lead Alex [Rodriguez] off? Want me to lead Carlos [Beltran] off?”"
Focusing on the leadoff spot, Jacoby Ellsbury got the nod Thursday and had three RBI in a 5-4 win over the Detroit Tigers.
The Yankees currently have a record of 25-28, 6.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for first in the American League East, but this is no time for panic.
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Girardi’s team was 22-22 on May 24, so being three games under the .500 mark right now is just a part of the ebbs and flows of a baseball season.
Less focus should be put on Girardi for placing players in specific spots in the lineup, while the bulk of the attention should be on the roster given to him.
He is forced to try to fit Alex Rodriguez into a lineup already filled with older players. He has to deal with giant contracts given to players like Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, neither of whom are hitting over .200.
Coaches of professional sports teams are often the fall guys when the team performs poorly, but the focus should shift to the poor decisions make by the Yankees’ front office one the past few years.
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It is also only the beginning of June, so there is still plenty of time for Girardi to turn things around and make these constant questions about his lineup look foolish once September rolls around.