New York Yankees Botched Alex Rodriguez’ Sendoff

Maybe Joe Girardi does not feel that he s there to manage farewell tours, but there is little to cheer for with the New York Yankees this year. Letting Alex Rodriguez get some playing time this week would have changed that.

This week was meant to be Alex Rodriguez’ last hurrah. With his impending release, this was the time for the New York Yankees to celebrate his career and give him a bit of playing time. Of course, having one last series at Fenway before his final game at Yankee Stadium would have provided a great backdrop to his final games.

Alas, Rodriguez was not destined to have his party. Manager Joe Girardi, determined to keep from managing “farewell tours,” kept Rodriguez out of the lineup for the first two contests at Fenway before starting him last night. Well, at least he got one final chance to be in the starting lineup against the Red Sox.

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Yet, there would be no further acquiescing to the departing former star. Rodriguez had one final request – to play third base one last time at Yankee Stadium. Considering that Chase Headley, the primary third baseman, has not covered himself in glory, why not give Rodriguez one last shot at his former position? After all, the New York Yankees are not exactly playing for the postseason at this point.

Unfortunately, the Baseball Grinch that is Girardi said no. Rodriguez asked to play third one last time, and had his request denied. Although he took that denial in stride, one would have thought that Girardi would have thrown one last bone to the former star.

Look, we get it. Girardi has no desire to manage a circus. But let’s face it – that is what the Yankees really are at this point. While the team may want to see what they have n various prospects, Rodriguez is still part of the team until today ends. The fans want to see him for one last time, and as the Yankees are languishing below .500, why not give him that final week of playing time?

But no, Girardi is above that. He is above letting Rodriguez flail at fastballs, or to give him a chance to hit his 700th home run. He made his decision, and he is sticking to it. Good for him.

In doing so, Girardi is missing the point. This week was not supposed to be about attempting to win, as the Yankees are already failing miserably in that regard. It was meant to be a sendoff for Rodriguez, to give him one last shot at glory. Well, maybe he can get that in his final outing.

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The New York Yankees had set up Alex Rodriguez’ final week quite well, with a chance to face his old foes before one last game at Yankee Stadium. It is unfortunate that Joe Girardi was not on board.