TRANSCRIPT OF JOE GIRARDI’S INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW YORK YANKEES


MR. STEINBRENNER: So let’s get right to it Joe. I know we’re all busy.

GIRARDI: Sure. Absolutely.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Alright, well, I guess the first question, really the most important question is, do you want to win?

GIRARDI: Absolutely.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Because the New York Yankees are about winning.

GIRARDI: Absolutely. So am I. I love winning.

MR. STEINBRENNER: So, if you were to become the Yankee manager you would plan on winning?

GIRARDI: Yes, uh…yes. Absolutely.

MR. STEINBRENNER: And I’m not just talking about the regular season.

GIRARDI: (nervous laugh) No.

MR. STEINBRENNER: We’ve got to win in the post season.

GIRARDI: I couldn’t agree more.

MR. STEINBRENNER: But we still have to win in the regular season. That’s how you get to the post season.

GIRARDI: Yes. Of course.

MR. STEINBRENNER: We win in the regular season and then we get to the post season. And that’s where we need to win.

GIRARDI: I love winning in the post season.

MR. STEINBRENNER: That’s good. That’s very good. Because it’s all about World Championships.

GIRARDI: I would love to win a World Championship here.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Really?

GIRARDI: Yes. That would definitely be my goal.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Because, to be honest, that’s kind of key to having this job.

GIRARDI: I’m excited about winning World Championships.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Boy, that is great to hear. Our last manager used to feel that way. It seems he just lost interest, though. I mean, how else can you explain the last few years?

GIRARDI: Well, uh…I uh…

MR. STEINBRENNER: I know you’re friendly with him. Don’t worry, we can move on.

GIRARDI: Thanks.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Let’s get back to your desire to win. On a scale of one to ten, where would you rate it?

GIRARDI: Well…uh…ten. Definitely ten.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Do you promise?

GIRARDI: Absolutely.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Alright then. If I locked you in a room with two doors in it and one was marked “Win” and the other was marked “Lose” and you had to pick one door to get out, which one would you pick?

GIRARDI: Um. I would have to say the door marked “Win.”

MR. STEINBRENNER: Okay, okay. But try this one. Rank order the following from “Most Desirable” to “Least Desirable”: Losing, Winning, Stubbing your big toe.

GIRARDI: Uh, ahem, uh…Winning…uh…Stubbing your big toe…Losing.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Well, you’ve certainly done your homework, I’ll give you that.

GIRARDI: Thank you.

MR. STEINBRENNER: Alright, one more. Spell the word “Lose.”

GIRARDI: Uh, let’s see, uh, L-O…uh, R, no wait, V…

MR. STEINBRENNER: Take your time.

GIRARDI: Uh, W-Z? No, wait, is it…? You know what? I can’t. I can’t even spell the word “Lose.”
MR. STEINBRENNER: Welcome aboard!

GIRARDI: Woo-hoo!

MR. STEINBRENNER: And people said running this team would be difficult.