New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi has responded to fans who have expressed their displeasure in Derek Jeter’s constantly sitting out of games.
According to USA Today, fans are outraged to see Jeter not playing during his last season in the game, as many bought tickets to games just to see him play. Girardi decided to be very straight forward with fans in a statement he gave out on Saturday.
“I have to manage him (Jeter) with a focus of winning games and keeping him healthy, not being a farewell tour,” Girardi said. “I wasn’t hired to put on a farewell tour.”
The New York Daily News reports that Girardi has maintain his focus on winning the World Series, which they haven’t done in five years.
“These games are obviously very important to us,” Girardi said. “They are important today, tomorrow, the next month; I have to manage that.”
Girardi also stated that while he is sympathetic to fans of Jeter, he has to manage the team as a whole.