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Joe Girardi: ‘I do want to manage again’

Will Joe Girardi manage again? (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

While there was a feeling towards the end of his time as Philadelphia Phillies manager that he was burned out, Joe Girardi says he is indeed interested in managing again if the right opportunity presents itself.

Set to join Marquee Sports Network as a color commentator for Chicago Cubs games, Girardi appeared on the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score Thursday, and reflected on his time in Philadelphia and his future in the sport.

“Every job that you take is a learning experience, and you learn a lot about things that you need to do, things about yourself, things about different relationships with people,” Girardi said. “And I think you learn a lot. I look at my time in Philadelphia as, you know, it was very enjoyable and I was blessed to have another opportunity. And if I get another opportunity, I’m definitely really going to consider it. Because I do want to manage again.

“But for now, I’m fine with broadcasting. It’s something I’ve enjoyed in between my stints. If I don’t get another managing opportunity, I am fine with broadcasting, because I really love it. The great thing about it is I prepare a lot of the time in a very similar fashion, but I don’t have to worry about the wins and losses. I don’t have to answer for those. And that’s not such a bad thing when you go through struggles.”

While there was a trend five or so years ago for teams to go with younger hires, a few notable veteran managers have landed very good jobs in recent years. Tony La Russa’s second stint as the manager of the Chicago White Sox probably won’t be remembered fondly, but Dusty Baker has done an excellent job with the Houston Astros, as has Buck Showalter with the New York Mets. All three are over 70 years old. Girardi is still only 57.

It will be interesting to see if a market develops for Girardi, be it this offseason or in the future.

On one hand, he’s got a .545 winning percentage in his managerial career and helped guide the New York Yankees to a World Series title in 2009.

On the other hand, even after helping the Yankees reach Game 7 of the ALCS in 2017, Brian Cashman and company determined it was time to make a change at manager. Girardi didn’t return to managing until the 2020 season, and had the Phillies not offered him their job, it’s unclear whether he would have gotten another managerial job.

For better or for worse, Girardi is intense. The decision by the Phillies to fire him in June and turn to the much looser Rob Thomson has revived their season. Under Girardi, the Phillies were 22-29. Since Thomson — his long-time right-hand man — took over, the Phillies are 43-23. One would think that Thomson is trending towards having the interim tag removed at the end of the season, and becoming the team’s manager.

There’s no doubt that Girardi had to deal with some historic challenges during his time as Phillies manager.

Connie Mack probably wouldn’t have had success managing the bullpens that Girardi was handed in 2020 and 2021. Seranthony Domínguez — perhaps the most talented reliever the Phillies have ever had — missed nearly all of those two seasons. José Alvarado didn’t begin to lean more on his cutter and control his pitches until after Girardi was gone. Obviously, David Robertson never pitched for Girardi in 2020, and he was long gone by the time a healthy version of him was reacquired last month.

Additionally, when Girardi was hired by the Phillies in October of 2019, no one could have anticipated the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic limited the 2020 season to just 60 games, and for much of 2021, a vaccinated Girardi had to answer questions about why his team struggled to get to 85% vaccination rate required to ease health and safety protocols.

It will only take one team for Girardi to get a fourth opportunity to manage. And if that doesn’t happen, he’s content to remain in the game as an analyst.

“Broadcasting is fun, and for me, this is an opportunity for life to kind of go full circle in a sense. It brings a lot of fond memories I have with my family, especially with my father, because we used to sit down when they were on the road, we’d watch WGN and watch the Cubs games. He was a salesman, and I’d ride in the car with him and listen on the radio. And he was really passionate about the Cubs. Hopefully he hears me in heaven. But it’s a great opportunity, and that’s what I’m looking to do.”