Well, it isn’t just Joe Girardi out there stumping for the Chicago Cubs’ managerial job on his own.
He got himself an interview:
Cubs have begun managerial interviews. Mark Loretta interviewed yesterday. Joe Girardi, David Ross and Will Venable will interview next week.
— Sahadev Sharma (@sahadevsharma) October 4, 2019
It’s no surprise that bench coach Mark Loretta, first base coach Will Venable, and special assistant David Ross are being interviewed, as the Cubs had already confirmed that they were candidates for the open managerial job. It’s the Girardi interview that is the news here.
Having served a decade as the manager in New York, even if for no other reason, the Cubs should probably want to interview Girardi right now so they can talk about the Yankees. Just see what he’s got to say about that experience, about how the Yankees did things, and about why it ended.
Girardi obviously has the ties to Chicago, and there were prevalent rumors last year that the reason he wound up taking a year off – he removed himself from consideration for the Reds job – is that he was hoping to get this shot at the Cubs. He’s shown he can clearly handle the biggest stage and brightest lights, and it’s going to be a near impossible task for the next manager to follow up Joe Maddon, so again, why not at least talk to the guy?
Like most folks around here, I do have some concerns about Girardi’s reputation as a firmer hand than might be warranted – a lack of good connection and communication with his players was cited by GM Brian Cashman when Girardi was fired two years ago – but we’ll see what happens. I don’t think we should rule a guy out just because he’s a “name” guy who was bounced in New York.
Looks like next week will be a big one, and these may not be the only four candidates who get interviews. Remember, some potential guys – Joe Espada of the Astros? – are still working right now.