One would think that before Derek Jeter’s last game at Yankee Stadium, Joe Girardi would have given a speech honoring his legendary shortstop or at least be in a celebratory mood.
However, prior to teammates giving Jeter gifts before Thursday’s game, ESPN New York reports that the New York Yankees manager held a team meeting and criticized them for missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season — the first time a Yankees team has done so in more than two decades.
The report goes on to say that Girardi called some of his players “overweight,” while saying others were not “hungry” enough.
The rant was backed up by clubhouse sources and several players.
Girardi also confirmed that such a meeting took place but was more bothered by the fact that it was leaked.
“I’ll tell you what really bothers me, and I’m not blaming you,” Girardi told the reporter who asked him about the team meeting. “It’s that you know. It’s not right that the meetings you have in the clubhouse get out of the clubhouse.”
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
