NEW YORK _ Joe Girardi is out as Yankees manager, and it was not his choice.
In a statement released Thursday morning by the Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman said: "Everything this organization does is done with careful and thorough consideration, and we've decided to pursue alternatives for the managerial position."
Girardi put out his own public letter, saying that "with a heavy heart I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back."
"I'd like to thank the Steinbrenner family for believing in me and giving me this wonderful opportunity," Girardi said. "I would like to thank Brian Cashman and his staff for hiring me and always trying to improve the team.
"Finally, I'd like to thank the fans for their great support as a player, coach and manager and the lasting memories of their passion and excitement during the playoff games, especially the final six games, which will remain in my heart forever."
Girardi took a young team with no expectations to the brink of a World Series appearance, dropping the last two games of the AL Championship Series after taking a 3-2 lead in games against Houston.
He took heat for a non-challenge that contributed to losing AL Division Series Game 2 at Cleveland, but the Yankees rallied to win three straight to take the best-of-five series.
Girardi leaves having won one world championship with the Yankees, in 2009, his second year at the helm.
Both Girardi and Cashman were operating on expiring contracts, but there is little question _ with this decision _ that Cashman is not only returning but is fully in charge of the baseball operations.
Since 1996, the Yankees have been model of stability in the front office and the manager's chair; they've only had two managers _ Joe Torre and Girardi _ in that span.
Internally, the Yanks' search could include Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager Al Pedrique, who had success in the organization's minor league system.
The fate of Girardi's coaches, or their potential candidacies to succeed Girardi, is less known.
After thanking Girardi for his tenure, Cashman continued in a statement:
"As Hal Steinbrenner and I mentioned to Joe directly this week, he has been a tremendous Yankee on the field and away from it, as a player, coach and manager.
"He has a tireless work ethic, and put his heart into every game he managed over the last decade. He should take great pride in our accomplishments during his tenure, and I wish Joe and his family nothing but success and happiness in the future."
