Yankees: Four Ways Joe Girardi Has Hit All The High Notes

Putting The Pieces So They All Fit Together

Perhaps, the best job Girardi has done, though, is to put all the pieces of the puzzle together in ways that they fit without trying to put a square peg in a round hole.

Adam Warren and Bryan Mitchell’s roles were defined clearly by Joe Girardi from day one. Each would be a permanent member of the bullpen unless the need arose where a spot starter was needed. Otherwise, they should be ready on any given day to pitch two innings, one inning, or whatever is required. Done.

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To Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Chase Headley, he told them he needed them more than ever before, and he expected each of them to play like they were capable of doing. And, by the way, it’s okay if you steal a base or two in the process. Done.

To Greg Bird, who after a experiencing a Spring Train in heaven, opened the season in hell. But Girardi would keep running him out there despite Bird having the hiccups with food poisoning and a balky ankle. And for me at least, this quietly put to rest any doubts about Girardi having the ability to relate to his young players.

What Girardi is doing is forming a team. And in a game where guys make oodles of money and often have their own agendas, this is not an easy thing to do.

Having played the game himself, though, Girardi knows and keeps stressing the fact that playing baseball at this level, day in and day out, is a tough thing to do. And much like his predecessor, Joe Torre, he takes it one step at a time, never letting the highs get too high or the lows too low.

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Obviously, there’s still a very long way to go in the season. But, by any measurement calculation, Joe Girardi is hitting all the high notes with this team. And if you don’t want to do the math, it’s easy enough to see by just watching his team play baseball.