Yanks' Girardi unhappy with Rays

Yankees manager Joe Girardi took exception to Rays infield prospect Elliot Johnson crashing into  catcher Francisco Cervelli in the ninth inning of Saturday's exhibition and said such tactics were "uncalled for" and inappropriate for spring training.
He also suggested manager Joe Maddon needs to tone down the Rays, citing Carl Crawford's collision Wednesday with Houston's catcher.
"I don't understand it,'' Girardi said. "I've always known that you don't do it. I know kids are playing aggressive and they're playing hard - that's how you want them to play - but maybe if it happens too much you should mention something.''
Maddon, though, had no problem with Johnson's play: "I loved the hardball right there. We're playing it hard, we're playing it right.''
Johnson said he was doing what he thought was the right thing in that situation: "I'm trying to show these guys what I can do. I'm just trying to score the run. That's my job. And looking back at it I'd have to say I'd probably do the same thing.''
Cervelli, the team's top catching prospect, sustained a fractured right wrist and was being treated at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Comments

[TD]

I was listening to the game on the radio and the announcers said that A-Rod went into second base against Bartlett with high spikes up. That could hurt Bartlett and its spring training. Joe Girardi and Yankees fans need to shut their mouths! A bunch of whiners! I didn't want to see their catcher get hurt, but that stuff can happen when you block the plate. If spring training doesn't matter, don't block the plate! Yankees and their fans expect to have wins handed to them. They are pathetic! I was looking at a Yankees board, and they are talking about throwing at Elliot or another player at a future game. Elliot goes to make a play and Yankee fans want to intentionally injure him or someone else. Pathetic. Even the Yankees catcher who got hurt said that it is part of the game. At least he knows its the majors and not little league. I guess he does not know yet that the Yankees expect teams to lay down for them.

[Pete]

Anyone playing slow-pitch church softball knows that blocking the plate will get you blasted. Are the Yankees no longer in the Majors?

[Jimmy Mack]

There is no reason for players to get seriously hurt during spring training. They are exhibition games, after all. However, the Yankees should be used to having a bull's-eye painted on their backs. Every kid that wants to make a name for himself wants to show his best stuff against the Yankees. That is the competitive nature of all sports. The Rays are so used to being a stepping stone for the rest of the league, that they have just had enough, and they aren't going to take it anymore. It's about time they displayed some backbone. I just hope that they save some of the theatrics for the regular season...

[jeff]

The runner is entitled to the base and if the catcher chooses to block the plate he does so at his own risk.

Eliot is trying to make the team and trying to make an impression or he'll be bagging groceries cause he's already getting old.

[ryan callahan]

BOO HOO!!! Shut up Joe Girardi, play like you will in the season, and just shut up.

[Rays fan]

I remember not to long ago the rays were a mickey mouse team according to the rest of the league. Now that we have a better team they will ALL whine. KSA Rays.

[Rodger]

Of course he doesnt want the rays to out play his team, it looks bad. just wait til the season begins joe, your team isnt as good as you dream they are. somebody get him some cheese for that whine.

[jake]

Don't stand on the tracks when the trains coming through

[orangeman]

bring it on, yankees.

[orangeman]

bring it on, yankees.

[Girardi is a wimp]

Hey Joe, tell your catcher not to block the plate if he doesn't want to get blasted. It's spring training, right?

[Sooo]

Are players not supposed to do what they would do in the regular season?... Don't break up a double play. Don't bunt. Don't steal bases... What else shouldn't players do in spring training? Oh yea, don't beat the Yankees. Girardi might cry.

[Jeff]

Twenty Yankees named on the Mitchell report and WE need to tone things down - don't think so. Your turn Hinske - take out one of the Backstreet Boys.

[Real Men]

Awwww, poor Girardi. What a crybaby. You've always known that you don't do it in spring training? Really? Who taught you that? Cecil Cooper didn't have a problem with Crawford running over his catcher. He spent a few days in the bigs too, Joe. In fact, he said he expects his guys to do the same thing. I think you just don't like getting spanked by the Rays, do you Joe? Get used to it. Little boy.

[Watch out]

It's not Little League, but it's also not Game 7 of the WS.

Maddon better think twice on who he'll have play behind the plate. Girardi is no Torre. Beware!

[Watch Out]

It's gonna be an interesting Wednesday game. Whoever is catching on that game for the Rays better be prepared.

[Ray]

Whine whine whine. Only the Yankees!

What is this, Little League?