Under normal circumstances, Joe Girardi's return to Yankee Stadium would result in a ton on fanfare. He'd be interviewed pregame by a throng of New York reporters in a crowded visiting dugout and he'd get a standing ovation from Yankees fans — one of those tip-your-cap deals.
This is 2020, though.
Instead, there will be only a few dozen folks at the ballpark in the Bronx tonight when Girardi and the Phillies visit the Yankees for their final exhibition game (6 p.m. on NBCSP) before the regular-season opener Friday.
And the skipper, who has not been back to Yankee Stadium since his time there ended in 2017, is more than OK with that.
"Sometimes, as much as it's really appreciated, it's uncomfortable because you don't really know how to act when you get a standing ovation in the opposing stadium," Girardi said last week.
"I think in a lot of ways, it's really nice, and I got a lot of cheers when we played the Yankees in spring training (in Florida). But it's a little uncomfortable because you don't know how to act."
Girardi managed the Yankees for 10 seasons from 2008-17, averaging 91 wins per season with six postseason appearances, 28 playoff wins and a World Series championship in 2009. The Yankees were in the World Series six times in eight seasons from 1996 through 2003, but that '09 title is the only World Series appearance in the 16 seasons since for a team that has championship aspirations every year.
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Girardi, the only Yankees manager other than Joe Torre to win a World Series since 1978, will always be a popular figure in New York.
"I think it will be odd because I'm not used to going into the other dugout or the other locker room," he said. "It will be really good to get back and see people I know. I gotta make sure I don't turn into the wrong door when I come down the stairs. And I think we do come in a different way as the visiting team, so that should help out.
"I won't lead, I will follow to make sure I go to the right place."
Girardi's leadership and reputation have made him a quick hit in Philadelphia with the players and fans. It's been an extended honeymoon phase so far with the new manager because, among other things, he hasn't yet had to make a decision that impacts a win or loss in a game that counts in the nine months since his hiring.
There will come a time in the next few weeks when a bullpen move backfires, some folks question Girardi's decision-making, and all will be right with the world.
At spring training and during summer camp, many Phillies have talked about Girardi's well-roundedness as a manager — his use of gut-feel and analytics and interest in personal relationships.
"I think managers are undervalued in baseball," J.T. Realmuto said last week. "Just putting your players in position to succeed is not as easy as it seems. You can look at the numbers all you want and some managers will go 100% off of what the computer tells them to do. Some managers will go all off of feel. Joe has a good understanding of both, not just doing it because the piece of paper tells him but having a feel of what's going on in this hitter's head. How has he done over the last week, is he going to be confident in this situation?
"Stuff like that will separate him from a lot of others. I definitely think the manager can help win ballgames and is going to make a difference during the season."
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