Former Philadelphia Phillies Manager in Running for New Opening

Joe Girardi hasn't coached or managed since he left the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, but his alma mater could change that.

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern is looking for a new baseball coach and a former Philadelphia Phillies manager is considered a strong contender for the job, per MLB.com.

Joe Girardi — who managed the Phillies from 2020 to 2022 and led the New York Yankees to a World Series title in 2009 — is one of a pair of Northwestern alums that the Wildcats reportedly have interest in. The other is Mark Loretta, who played more than a decade in the Majors.

The Phillies fired Girardi in May of last year. His replacement, Rob Thomson, led the Phillies to the National League crown before losing to the Houston Astros in the World Series.

Northwestern fired coach Jim Foster earlier this week after allegations of bullying and a toxic environment within the program. His firing came on the heels of the firing of football coach Pat Fitzgerald for similar allegations.

Girardi, a Peoria, Ill., native, carved out a fine career at Northwestern, playing for the Wildcats from 1983-86. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a three-time Academic All-American. He was considered good enough to play in the Cape Cod League in 1984 and earned All-Star status.

Girardi played for more than a decade in the Majors, earning an All-Star berth in 2000 and winning three World Series rings as the catcher for the New York Yankees in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

As a manager he’s led the Miami Marlins, the Yankees and the Phillies and has a record of 1,120-935. He’s never coached at the collegiate level. 

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