Did you know? Joe Girardi, the ex-manager of the New York Yankees, is a huge fan of NASCAR, particularly favoring Denny Hamlin. Despite being a professional baseball player and a committed health enthusiast, Girardi revealed on Kevin Harvick’s “Happy Hour” podcast on April 11 that he got into NASCAR during his time with the Yankees. Once again, Harvick’s podcast proves to be an excellent platform for interviewing professionals from diverse fields. Girardi, who played in the MLB from 1989 to 2003 primarily with the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees before finishing with the St. Louis Cardinals, gained recognition as the Yankees’ manager from 2008 to 2017. Under his leadership, the Yankees clinched the World Series title in 2009. Despite parting ways with the Yankees in 2017, Girardi found a new managerial role with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020. However, his tenure with the Phillies ended during the 2022 season due to a disappointing start. Currently, Girardi serves as an analyst for the Yankees on the YES Network.
How Joe Girardi Became a NASCAR Fan
Girardi’s preferred NASCAR driver is no longer active, though it’s likely Kevin Harvick, given the context. However, his current favorite driver is Denny Hamlin. On Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, Girardi elaborated on why he admires Hamlin, expressing that Hamlin’s consistent presence at the forefront of races is what draws him in. Girardi sees this as a mark of a true champion, someone who is consistently competitive and involved in the action.
Ex-Yankees manager Joe Girardi tells @KevinHarvick how he became a #NASCAR fan and what driver he roots for. https://t.co/VAr1hc7er4
— HarvickHappyHour (@HarvickHappyPod) April 11, 2024
Girardi shared with Harvick how his passion for racing was sparked by Gene Monahan, the longtime Yankees trainer. Monahan introduced Girardi to the world of racing by taking him to his first race in Rockingham, North Carolina, and they continued to attend races together several times a year. Girardi fondly recalled a memorable experience at the Daytona 500 with Monahan, where they arrived early in the morning and found themselves walking amidst the cars on the track. Despite Girardi’s initial concern about being in the wrong place, he realized that Monahan’s well-loved personality allowed them to freely roam. This experience solidified Girardi’s love for racing. Monahan currently works for Hendrick Motorsports and is known for his controversial presence on Twitter.
Kevin Harvick Is a Good Interviewer
As much as Girardi shared about NASCAR, Harvick was equally enthusiastic about baseball. He confessed his fandom for Major League Baseball, particularly in light of the league’s efforts to “shorten the game.” Harvick expressed his concern that these changes might be contributing to more player injuries, seeking Girardi’s perspective on the matter. However, Girardi offered a thought-provoking counterpoint. He suggested that by shortening the duration of games, players essentially play fewer games overall, which could significantly reduce the wear and tear on their bodies and potentially extend their careers. Girardi dismissed the notion that recent pitcher injuries are solely attributed to the implementation of pitch clock rules.
The conversation then shifted to the leadership qualities of Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge, exploring their respective impacts on the baseball field. Harvick’s podcast continues to provide valuable insights. Despite this, it’s surprising that the show has garnered relatively few listeners and followers on social media, with fewer than 5,000 followers on X as of April 11, 2024.
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