According to stories from ESPN and CBS Sports yesterday, New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi made a call to the Yankee Stadium press box during a game to spare the embarrassment of his third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Both reports say that the call happened during the third playoff game of the American League Division Series, when New York was playing the Baltimore Orioles on October 12.
Girardi reportedly called the public address announcer to tell him not to announce Rodriguez's name when the manager decided to replace him in the game with veteran Eric Chavez. Normally, the announcer would say the substitute player's name as well as the player he replaces.
According to CBS and Yankees general manger Brian Cashman, Girardi wanted to shield his struggling star from further embarrassment, who hit 3-for-25 during the 2012 playoffs.
Despite being pinch-hit for and benched by Girardi throughout the playoffs, Rodriguez spoke very positively of his manager. CBS said that Rodriguez and Girardi have typically a close relationship, and Cashman said that the call to the press box showed just how much the manger cares for the third baseman's feelings.
The Yankees' playoff run ended last week when they were eliminated by the American League champion Detroit Tigers.
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