Joe Girardi Managing American League Division Series Despite Recent Passing of His Father, Jerry

Yankees manager Joe Girardi has some tough decisions to make every day of the season. The decisions that he’s reportedly been making for the last six days trump all of those in a heartbeat.

Girardi’s father, Jerry, has passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s earlier this week. He was 81.

The big question however, is whether or not the manager would stick with his team for Thursday night’s Game 4 against the Orioles. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman is reporting that Girardi will manage the game, with a heavy heart.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith had a similar decision to make on Sept. 23. His younger brother was killed in a motorcycle accident early that morning, when the Ravens and Patriots were scheduled to battle on Sunday Night Football. Smith did play, and was a major factor in Baltimore’s 31-30 win over New England.

The Yankees lead the Orioles 2-1 in their divisional series matchup, with Phil Hughes opposing Joe Saunders in Thursday’s Game 4.

Sherman later tweeted out that Girardi’s father actually passed away on Oct. 6, as seen below.