Yankees manager to be an Italian guy named Joe

Girardi introduced as manager

NEW YORK -- Joe Girardi grinned, slipping on the pinstripes once more, signaling the opening of a new era in Yankees baseball.

Girardi was formally introduced as the 32nd manager in club history on Thursday, posing for photographs and reiterating his excitement for perhaps the biggest challenge of his multifaceted career in a press conference held in the Stadium Club at Yankee Stadium.

"I can't tell you how honored we are to be putting on this uniform for the third time," Girardi said after donning a jersey with the No. 27 on its back -- appropriate, perhaps, since Girardi will be trying to lead the Yankees to their 27th World Series title.

"This is the place to be. For the Girardis, this place is home."

The 43-year-old Girardi, the 2006 National League Manager of the Year, agreed to terms earlier in the week on a three-year contract reportedly worth upward of $8 million.

While his season in Florida raises some flags about his handling of young pitchers and his relationship with front offices, it may be too soon to reach a verdict in these areas. However, what is the evidence that he doesn't wreck young pitchers or has trouble getting along with his superiors?

Anyway, if a departure from the Torre methods is what the Yankee brass wanted, maybe Girardi was the best choice. We'll have to see what happens.