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Joe Girardi might have an opportunity to manage in the majors in 2008 -- even if he doesn't get the Yankees' job. Officials familiar with Girardi's job prospects said Thursday if the Yankees do not hire him to succeed Joe Torre, then Girardi could have a developing opportunity with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The agent for Girardi, Steve Mandel, was asked if Girardi had been approached about a job opportunity with the Dodgers, and Mandel would not comment. Dodgers manager Grady Little is under contract for next season after the team picked up his option for 2008 on March 7. Little also has a club option for 2009. "Grady Little is our manager," a Dodgers spokesperson said Thursday. Dodgers executives could not immediately be reached for comment about Little's status. Girardi and Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti have known each other for almost two decades. Colletti came to know the former catcher as media relations director for the Cubs; Girardi was selected by Chicago out of Northwestern as a fifth-round pick in the 1986 amateur draft. Teams are not allowed to make major announcements during the World Series, but if New York wanted to do so Friday, an off-day for the Series, it's conceivable commissioner Bud Selig would give his permission. The earliest end to the Series would be Sunday. But Hank Steinbrenner, son of owner George Steinbrenner, said New York does not intend to name a new manager before the end of the World Series."We're going to honor Bud's wishes, and that's the bottom line," Hank Steinbrenner said Thursday from Tampa, Fla., where he and other team executives including general manager Brian Cashman gathered to come up with a recommendation for the team's top officials. "We'll talk to the baseball office and see what they think." Hank Steinbrenner said no decision has been made from the interviewed crop of Girardi, bench coach Don Mattingly and first-base coach Tony Pena. Girardi interviewed on Monday, Mattingly on Tuesday and Pena on Wednesday. Girardi, speaking at a charity dinner Wednesday, refused to answer any questions about the Yankees' search. "The only thing I'm going to comment about the Yankees situation is what I said a few days ago," Girardi said. "I had a great interview. And it's an honor for whoever gets that job." Pena has the most managerial experience of the three candidates, having led the Kansas City Royals for more than three seasons. Girardi managed the Florida Marlins in 2006, his only season in that capacity, and was named NL manager of the year. Mattingly spent the three seasons before becoming Yankees bench coach as the franchise's hitting coach. Torre took over for the 1996 season and led the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five years but none since. He left after 12 seasons -- and 12 postseason appearances.The Dodgers, meanwhile, are coming off what is considered to be a disappointing season in which the team collapsed in September. Los Angeles lost 11 of their final 14 games to finish 82-80, and there was griping among younger and older Dodgers during the last weeks of the season. Buster Olney is a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. |