With the recent explosion of the internet as a means for sports discussion and analysis, the typical sports fan has become significantly more informed and intelligent. The more frequent exchange of ideas has led to the questioning of some of the conventional wisdom that butresses many of the decisions that managers make ”by the book.” When the Yankees brought in Joe Girardi, one of the things frequently said about him was that he was not your father’s manager. He would use statistics and logic to reach decisions, rather than just repeating the mistakes of his predecessors in the profession. Last night, we saw Joe abandon ”the book” in one situation while adhering to it against all logic in another. The second choice cost the team the game.
Melky Cabrera led off the 7th inning with a single in a game the Yankees trailed 1-0. With Frankie Cervelli, the 9 hitter up, conventional wisdom would call for a bunt to move a runner into scoring position for the top of the order. Rather than give up the out, Joe called for a hit and run, and Cervelli delivered an RBI double over the drawn in Mike Lowell. Having an extra out paid further dividends when A-Rod drove in two runs with a two out double. The decision was truly a great one, as it clearly caught the Red Sox off guard and was a play at the big inning rather than just an attempt to score one run. Had the Yankees won the game, this post would end right here.
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However, Joe’s next decision stuck steadfastly to the book, and it cost the Yankees dearly. With CC Sabathia faltering in the 8th (lead cut to 3-2, two on, none out), Girardi had Alfredo Aceves and Mariano Rivera warming. Rather than go to his best reliever to get out of the jam, Joe saved him for the save situation, as most managers would have. Some believe that Joe should have gone to Mo for 6 outs. Personally, I think that would have been the wrong decision, suggesting that in the long run, these games are more important than those against any other team. However, I certainly would have allowed Mo to pitch the 8th and then gone to Aceves for the 9th. The save situation last night came in the 8th inning, with two on in a one run game and Youkilis and Bay coming up. Your best reliever needs to pitch in that spot. Someone else can retire the bottom of the order in the 9th. While most managers would have made the same move, that does not make it any less wrong. As Mike at RAB stated during the game yesterday, a book of cliches could have managed that inning. With a manager who was supposed to be different, I find that quite disappointing.
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“With a manager who was supposed to be different, I find that quite disappointing”
Amen to that.
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It’s all very depressing. Not the end of the world, but…..honestly, our bullpen terrifies me.
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do you think girardi unfolded his arms yet
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Thank you for your post Moshe, like you said the game needed saving in the 8th, and once again the best reliever gets held out until the 9th, any word on when Bruney and Marte are supposed to get back?
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i realy enjoy this website more than river ave bles it is much more informative and respectful.Having said that my main problem with girardi is not neceserily his stratagy its his temperment and demeaner.he always seams like he is watching his favorate hockey team in a game 7. i think he does not do a good enough job of relaxing his team .i dont think he sat down all series .Moshe im wondering if you can comment on that
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Moshe Mandel Reply:
June 12th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I hear that from my brother a lot, but I have to say that I disagree. A week or two ago, when the Yankees were coming back in every game and throwing pies at each other, they looked plenty loose. The players say that his demeanor does not change whether they are winning or losing, so I am just going to take their word for it. But I do know what you mean.
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*blues
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I guess I agree with this one. Generally I don’t believe in going to the closer before the 9th inning unless its the playoffs. The Yankees could be involved in 60 or 70 games that are within 1 run at some point after the 6th either way and then throw in 9th inning leads up two or so… That could be up to 80-90 games in which the situation would call for Mo. The manager still has to selectively try to keep thos appearances under 70 knowing he’s needed for the post-season every year. That being said rather than burn Mo for 100 games I think generally using him in 1 inning “save” situations is just as arbitrary as only using him on days that begin with the letter “t.” However, there has to be some system. There’s a point in just about every game where proper use of Mo could turn around the game. However, he can’t pitch 162 times a year.
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Obviously if Bruney were here, CC wouldn’t have pitched the 8th after the SS got that hit.
I think Aceves is more a long man, a valuable long man with Bruney, COke and MArte the 8th innings types.
COke has been VERY good of late.
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I am not sure how much blame Giardi deserves I mean this entire series jeter, arod, cano. wang, burnett and aceves, sabathia should have finished the 8th inning one tow three and the yanks were shut out by Brad Fing Penny-this series was discgraceful and in my mind completely washes away the prior success-every one of those giys hsould apoplogize for their play-and their is one difference between the sox and yanke-and I hate to say it the sox are a tougher minded ball club and there is no excuse in the worldfo rthier bulpebn to be better
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Wasn’t it a week or two ago that we’re all sitting around talking about how Aceves has the heart of a bull and is the new Mendoza, can do basically everything? Well, based on that, it should’ve been a no brainer to use Rivera in the 8th to get those outs and use Aceves in the 9th. We heard Phil Coke all most have a coronary on the mound trying to get the outs in the 9th a little while back, but that wouldn’t have happened to Aceves, right? I think his composure is his best asset, while Girardi, well I don’t have anything to say about him, I voted for Mattingly to become the next manager.
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I jus wish he wouldn’t bunt so much….it annoys the fell out of me….
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