Truth & Rumors > MLB
Why did Girardi pitch to Manny?
If there were a 10 Commandments for Yankee managers when facing the Red Sox, avoiding Manny Ramirez in big spots whenever possible is probably No. 1. Joe Girardi, in accord with Mike Mussina, somehow decided that working to Ramirez with a base open and Boston down a run was favorable to facing Kevin Youkilis with the bases loaded. Ramirez responded as the script would suggest, crushing a first-pitch two-run double that moved Boston ahead for good in the sixth of what would be a 4-3 triumph. Mussina blamed a bad pitch. But it starts with a bad decision. "That is a decision I made and I have to live with it," Girardi said. Girardi recognized this as "the most impactful decision" he has made strategically in 12 games as the Yankees' manager.
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Shanon Lersh
Tatiana Golovin



Comments (65) Add A Comment
Considering it is the 2nd week of the season- and we took game 1.....
I have no problem trying to be aggressive and trying to build your pitchers confidence. Decision backfired. Move on. No big deal-
jgb
Total Comments (8849)
Luvdatdurdywatta ...Based on the early returns this season, you may want to temper your enthusiasm just a bit.
50yearfan
Total Comments (8679)
Walk him...especially when Ortiz is struggling. Let Youkilis be the one to beat you. The odds are more in Girardi's favor.
Sacked91-PlaxisWax
New York , NY
Total Comments (1868)
I think the double steal in the 8th was the worse idea...
ride4lamar
Shrewsbury , MA
Total Comments (13)
Mistake #1 was Girardi thinking he could count on Mussina to do anything good after the 5th inning. He's always hanging on by a thread by then.
metrosouth
Total Comments (739)
So why is 9 out of 10 baseball stories on T & R about the Yankees, Mets, or Red Sox?
Enough already...
Brad Wesley
Cincinnati , OH
Total Comments (426)
the bad decision was letting Mussina take the mound in the 6th -- let the guy have his five innings and then get him out of there -- he's been around too long to fool many guys who have batted against him for years -- and it's not like he has great control of his 23mph fast ball -- and letting him talk Girardi into pitching to Manny was another mistake -- giving in to over-the-hill veterans was a mistake Torre used to make regularly -- Girardi's decisions in that rainy KC game were inexplicably bad, and so were his choices yesterday -- that's 2 games he's lost [not withstanding the continuing lack of hitting, and ARod's pitiful performance against Papelbon] -- hope Yankees don't find themselves needing 2 fewer losses at the end of the season -- but will anyone remember then what mistakes Girardi is making now? -- the Yankees need to study A's films and figure out how to get that kind of fire and motivation -- the game should not be just about going through the motions and collecting those big big paychecks
silverblack23
Dunsmuir , CA
Total Comments (695)
Manny and the rain delay was the Yanks downfall yesterday/last night. I agree as it doesn't make much sense to pitch to him especially when just a few innings before Manny absolutely crushed that curveball.
Not a big deal as yes it's April, but still a bad move.
Coletrain
Total Comments (10830)
that travel excuse is lame my friend oakland is 8-4, didnt they do some heavy traviling also?
Sox Sider | 04/13/08, 09:51 AM
To be fair, the A's went straight back to Oakland after Japan. The Sox went to Oakland then Toronto before finally getting back to Boston.
hyperRevue
Total Comments (12521)
First off , do you think Joe torre would have pitched to Manny? I highly doubt it but he's not the Yankee manager. Giradi will soon find out why Joe Torre left sooner more then later. I dont see Giradi lasting the whole year with the boss at the helm. Good, I hate the Yankees.
Luca Brazzi N.E.…
Cranston , RI
Total Comments (51)
yeah I guess they haven't figured out that Manny kills us every game..especially in clutch spots, we blew a lot of acoring chances too..but you're right, if this was Sept/Oct they would have pitched him differently
Sean Connery
Pemberton, NJ
Total Comments (941)
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