Joe Girardi had two press conferences back to back (LS/Bill Menzel)

Yankee Stadium—On Wednesday afternoon, Yankee skipper Joe Girardi was subjected to a press conference doubleheader. He was the fifth representative of the organization to meet with the Spanish language media this season. The monthly scheduled meetings with the Spanish media in general and  members of the LSWBA (Latino Sports Writers and Broadcasters Association) have featured a variety of Yankee personnel including the club’s general manager and on Wednesday, its field boss. Two-three minutes after the conference concluded, the manager held his daily conference with Yankee beat writers in the same room in the Yankee Stadium basement.

The queries at the earlier conference were more general in nature. This is not surprising as many of the reporters present do not attend Girardi’s daily meetings with the press. Several of the questions allowed Girardi to discuss his managerial philosophy, actions, and attitude. The manager spoke of the pressure of remaining in first place in the American League East, “In our division, you can never relax. We need to prove we can win.” Even in successful in the east, there is importance in having the home field advantage in the ALCS, especially if the Yankees are required to face its nemesis in the West, the LA Angels. Girardi opined, “It’s important we keep pressuring and don’t keep our guard down to get the best record in the American League.” In order to be successful in both quests, Girardi said, “Staying healthy is probably the biggest need.” The Yankee skipper would not venture an opinion this early regarding the pitching rotation in the post-season, “We worry about what we can control now, which is the last 37 games [of the regular season].” Girardi was asked if he intends to obtain players who can help the club. The manager explained to the reporters the difficulty a club with the best record in the majors has in claiming players, “Players who can make an impact are not available.” Regardless of the difficulty, he affirmed, “We would not hesitate if there’s a player who can help us.”

Maria Hernandez (translator) and Joe Girardi (LS/Bill Mezel)

Several questioners asked the manager to explain the reason for this season’s winning mark and the good feeling in the clubhouse. He responded, “The club really started playing well when Alex [Rodriguez] got back…The makeup of the club comes a lot from the makeup of the individuals. It’s a different club [than last year]. There’s a lot of free spirits. That’s helped.” Of his own role, he said, “The players expect the manager to be the same every day…The formula [as a manager] depends on the individual [player].”

Girardi gave credit to his family for giving him the strength to withstand the criticism and attacks he receives as manager of the Yankees. He said,”As a manager, you have to answer for 25 players and every move you make. Family and faith are important when you are attacked. When I walk in the door, it doesn’t matter if we won or lost. I have a loving wife and three young children who love me unconditionally.”

Julio Pabón, CEO of Latino Sports ventures complimented Girardi for his long-term involvement with the children of the South Bronx community and asked him what his motivation was. Girardi responded, “I’ve always believed from my upbringing, all children deserve an equal opportunity. I believe it’s important that the players and front office personnel go out to the community. It’s important to help people.”

Various questions requested Girardi to comment upon Latino baseballers. Girardi uttered words of high praise for his bench coach Tony Pena, “Tony is very knowledgeable, very supportive, and very helpful. I love having Tony on the staff. There’s a mutual respect and friendship.”

Dominicana Maria Hernandez listens, takes notes and translates (LS/Bill Menzel)

A Venezuelan reporter asked the Yankee skipper if there are any players from Venezuela he would want to obtain for his club. After mentioning a few of the players with whom he played (Andres Gallaraga), caught (Carlos Zambrana) and managed (Bobby Abreu), Girardi carefully stated, “There’s a lot of them I would love to have, but I don’t want to get in trouble with MLB [for tampering].”

When asked by a reporter from the Dominican Republic his opinion of players such as Robinson Cano and Melky Cabrera playing in the Winter League of their native land, he replied, “I think it’s a player’s choice. The player knows his body best.”

This conference as the ones held earlier this season provide an atmosphere in which the subject can not only answer questions nut reveal his personality to a greater degree than at the daily meetings with the press.”

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