Game 111: Joe Girardi's Graduation

HIGH AND TIGHT

Cue Pomp and Circumstance

I'll keep this one brief today, but last night's 3-2 win over Boston to take over 1st place in the AL East to me represents a major step in the career of Joe Girardi as a winning manager.

With New York down 2-0 with 2 out in the bottom of the 5th, things were set up well for the Sawx with the bases loaded and Adrian Gonzalez stepping to the plate against Bartolo Colon, at 94 pitches for the evening.

Colon was pitching well, but I give Girardi major props for recognizing the highest of high leverage situations, the opponent's best hitter up with a chance to do damage, even put the game away.

He summoned "LOOGY" (Lefty One Out GuY) Boone Logan, who promptly got A-Gon to flail at strike 3 in the dirt, ending the threat. The Yankees then scored 3 in the top of the 6th to take a lead they would not surrrender.

Since the "LaRussa-ization" of the save rule, many managers go strictly to formula on the use of their relievers, and especially their closers, leaving sacrificial lambs to pitch in the middle innings.

Joe Girardi has been guilty of this with his reliance on that damn binder of his. The situation last night, however, is where games are typically won and lost, hence the concept of leverage.

In making the move he made last night, and especially using David Robertson in the fireman role to quell rallies, Girardi has taken a page out of the "old school" book where the focus was foremost on winning and losing.

Congratulations, and good luck with you future!