Joe Girardi
Coach of the New York Yankees
Yankee Championships: 1
Birth:
Joe Girardi has been the manager of the NY Yankees since 2008. When he was hired for the position, he was 43 years old and the third youngest manager in the Major Leagues.
Mr. Girardi’s inaugural year with the Yankees was a disappointment to many fans. It was the first time in fourteen years that the NY Yankees didn’t play in the postseason. His next year made up for his unsettling beginnings. He led the Yankees to their twenty-seventh World Series win and the first time they’d won the World Series in nine years. The 2009 World Series marked Mr. Girardi’s first World Series as a manager, but the fourth one during his baseball career which began in 1989. 2009 also resulted in the Yankees winning their fortieth AL Pennant.
Prior to managing the Yankees, Joe Girardi managed the Florida Marlins from 2006-2008. In 2006 he was awarded the Manager of the Year award by both the BBWAA and Sporting News.
When Joe Girardi played baseball, he played as a catcher. He played on the 2000 All-Star team for the Cubs. Prior to playing for the Cubs, he played for the Yankees. During that time, he earned three World Series rings in 1996, 1998, and 1999. Also during this time, he played in two very notable games: Dwight Gooden’s no-hitter in 1996 and David Cone’s perfect game in 1999.
Many commentators feel that Joe Girardi’s impressive career is primed for growth. A lot of great things are expected from this young manager.
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Terry Francona
Coach of the Boston Red Sox
Red Sox Championships: 2
Birth:
Terry Francona was no stranger to the sport when he began his baseball career. His father, Tito Francona, is a former professional major league baseball player who played for fifteen years. Terry got his start in the University of Arizona when he was drafted into minor league baseball by the Montreal Expos in the 22nd overall selection. After ten years playing for several minor league teams, he switched to coaching, which he did for about six years.
He began his managerial career in 1997 with the Philadelphia Phillies, who hired him following the end of the previous season which he had spent as a coach with the Detroit Tigers. He spent the next several years wavering between manager and coach for several teams. Then in 2004, the Red Sox picked up Francona as their manager after firing his predecessor, Grady Little, for his perceived mismanagement of the team.
Under Francona’s expert leading, the Boston-based baseball team has flourished, winning 2 World Series championships in his just his first eight years of management. He also holds the proud title of being the third Red Sox manager to win more than 500 games, and is now only surpassed by one other former manager, Joe Cronin. His contract with the team, which was set to expire in 2008, was extended to 2011, with club options for 2012 and 2013. In his position as Red Sox manager, Francona’s career continues to progress through numerous soaring wins. |
