CLEARWATER, Fla. _ The long-delayed next chapter of Joe Girardi's rather remarkable journey through the often humbling world of professional baseball is finally going to begin at the end of this month when the Phillies open this COVID-19 season. At 55, Girardi appears just as eager to tackle the challenges presented by a Phillies franchise that has not been to the postseason in eight years as he was in 2008 at the age of 43 to take control of a storied New York Yankees franchise that had been to the postseason for 13 straight years.
Before the Illinois native fills out his first lineup card, let's take a look back at some of the seminal and sentimental moments of the square-jawed manager's charmed career, which has included four World Series titles (three as a player and one as a manager with the Yankees) and 12 trips to the playoffs (six each as a manager and player). He also won a National League manager of the year award in 2006 after being fired by the Florida Marlins.
The story is told by Girardi and some of his mentors and closest friends. As it is told, you will hear things that the Phillies' new manager is sure to repeat during his first season because his life has been deeply shaped by two things: his family and the game.
