Joe Girardi had a tough decision on Wednesday night when he decided to pinch hit Raul Ibanez for superstar third baseman Alex Rodriguez. That move worked out, with Ibanez hitting two home runs, including the crucial game-winner that gave the Yankees Game 3.
What no one knew at the time, or throughout the series, was that Girardi had even more on his mind as he made the decision.
As reported on Thursday by the Journal Star of Peoria, his father Jerry passed away on Saturday. According to ESPNNewYork.com, "Joe Girardi acknowledged Thursday that he did not want his father's death to be a distraction."
According to the Journal Star of Peoria:
"Jerry Girardi, the father of New York Yankees manager and East Peoria native Joe Girardi, died Saturday at Snyder Village in Metamora."
Girardi suffered from Alzheimer's disease and passed away at 81 years old. He is survived by five children and six grandchildren.
"I feel sorry for him. I know this is very tough," Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano told the New York Daily News. "I know he's a family guy; you always see his kids and his wife around. He always says family comes first. Hopefully we can win his game for him tonight."
Writer Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote on Twitter that Girardi will manage the game despite the passing of his father.
"Jerry Girardi had been suffering from Alzheimer's. Joe often credited his father for instilling toughness in him."
The Daily News also said: "Girardi would visit his father a couple times each baseball season, usually taking advantage of an off-day surrounding a Yankees series in Chicago or the Midwest."
Girardi spoke about his father to ESPNNewYork.com last year:
"My father is the one who introduced me to this great game and going to the ballpark," Joe Girardi said last year. "I was the fourth of five children and he always made time for us.
"There are a lot of things my father has taught me. He has taught me the value of hard work. He has taught me the value of money. But he also taught me the importance of time with your children."
The website also reports that the Yankees will have a moment of silence before Thursday's game to honor Jerry Girardi.
If the Yankees win Game 4 on Thursday night they will advance to the American League Championship series against the winner of the Detroit-Oakland Athletics series.
