Zimmer "dumbfounded," Maddon "surprised" by Girardi's comments

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday morning he considered the issues raised by Yankees first-year manager Joe Girardi a matter of "philsophical differences" that "does not deserve any legs.''

But Rays senior advisor Don Zimmer, a former Yankees coach who considers Girardi "like a son,'' had plenty to say Sunday morning, starting with that he was "dumbfounded" by Girardi's contention that catchers shouldn't be run over during spring training games. "I thought he was out of line,'' Zimmer said. "I'm surprised that Girardi went after it the way he did.''

Girardi was upset that Rays infielder Elliot Johnson crashed into Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli during a ninth inning play Saturday, resulting in a fractured wrist that will sideline the Yankees top catching prospect for 8-10 weeks. Girardi said again Sunday morning it was "disheartening" that something like that would happen in a spring game.

Zimmer added: "I'm surprised at Girardi. I woke up this morning and read that and I was dumbfounded. Of all people. Joe Girardi's a tough guy, a tough catcher. I don't know what spring training's got to do with it. I think something's been made big out of something that's been played right.''

Maddon said he considered it a good hard play and had no problems with it. He told the Times on Saturday night that he didn't differentiate between spring and regular-season and that he "never read that rule before" about catchers not getting run into during the spring. Girardi responded Sunday morning that on a play like that "there is no memo needed.''

Maddon said he was "a little bit surprised" at Girardi's comments and stuck to his position on Sunday, saying: "It was a good hard baseball play. We have to play the game one way all the time. That's the way we do things.''

Maddon acknowledged that the familiarity of playing the Yankees so often (three more times this spring and 18 in the regular season) coudl keep the issues alive. "If we have a chance and we have to hit a catcher we should and if they have a chance to take out one of our catchers they should, that's the way  the game's played. If it's the appropriate play to be made, make it. Period.''

And on the idea of Girardi saying he might want to have a conversation with him about the subject: "Honestly I really haven't even thought about that. If he would like - I like the guy. I like Joe. I've always liked Joe. If he would like to have a conversation, God, I'd like to talk about politics, I'm good with global warming, I'm good with a lot of different topics on a daily basis. I like iTunes, I download some stuff off iTunes, I like different restaurants, I like red wine. I have a lot of different areas I can do conversationally.''

Maddon also praised Cervelli for his comments in which he said the collision was "part of the game." Said Maddon: "I thought that was beautiful and I really respect the kid for saying that.''

Also, Maddon said OF Rocco Baldelli remains sidelined and won't play Sunday or Monday. He hasn't played since last Tuesday, and the Rays want to know his status by the end of the coming week.

As for the game against the Reds, the Rays aren't using too many regulars:

Johnson, 2b
Zobrist, lf
Upton, cf
Gomes, dh
Aybar, 3b
Richard, 1b
Navarro, c
Ruggiano, rf
Brignac, ss
Edwin Jackson is on the mound, with Troy Percival among the relievers scheduled for work. The Reds didn't bring Ken Griffey either.

Comments

[jeff]

When all avenues of conversation fail just remember, WE have the Zimminator!

[Kyle]

Good for Cervelli, he gets the last word. He's right, blocking the plate to save a run is part of the game and trying to score is part of the game. It doesn't call for retaliation. Of course, Johnson could have tried barking at him to see if that would make him drop the ball.

[William]

Girardi's a coward. This use to be a man's game. Know it's a bunch of whiners who complain about any contact, bumps, bruises, etc. That's the Yankees for you! I like the Rays attitude of "we are going to play hard whether it's spring training or not, and if we have to bang some heads to score, so be it!"

[steve]

Typical Yankee fans. They think it is great when they are winning and things are going great but when the tide turns they cry like a little bit**.

[joe]

A manager who wants to protect his player needs to let them know that. Tell the catchers not to block the plate. That play is as old as baseball. I really don't like the play and hate to see any player hurt. Maybe that is why Pete Rose is not in the Hall, does Fosse have a vote. Play Ball.

[jersey buc]

If Girardi has a problem, he should tell his catcher NOT to block the plate. What is the runner supposed to do?
Tell the players who get cut that pre season doesn't count....most of the players on the roster are fighting for thier baseball lives, if the kid gives up on the play, me may well be packing his bags tomorrow...

[jersey buc]

If Girardi has a problem, he should tell his catcher NOT to block the plate. What is the runner supposed to do?
Tell the players who get cut that pre season doesn't count....most of the players on the roster are fighting for thier baseball lives, if the kid gives up on the play, me may well be packing his bags tomorrow...

[Go Rays]

Retaliate?

Bring your store bought team on bandwagoners. Prepare for a Gomes punch in the grill. Zim might even get in the mix.

[Hey Jim]

Hellooooo!!

This is spring TRAINING!!

Nothing at stake here.

Don't block the plate if you don't want to risk injury for either guy. Just do what Shawn Riggans did and let the guy slide under the tag and give up the run. But then you wouldn't really be TRAINING for the regular season, would you?

[Rex]

Heart NY? - move back there and get out of our sunshine and off our roads.

If they are keeping score - play to win. Don't play dirty, but play to win.

Period.

[Jim]

Hellooooo!!

This is spring TRAINING!!

Nothing is at stake here.

Why risk a season ending injury for either guy.

Jim

[Retaliation]

Yankee fans, if your guys "retaliate" for a clean play (yes, it was clean), don't be surprised if your pitcher gets a beatdown. Come on Joba, throw at Crawford. See how quickly your fat face is pounded in.

[Crybabies]

Did Cecil Cooper have a problem when Crawford ran over his catcher? Nope. Did his catcher have a problem? Nope. Did Cervelli have a problem with getting run over? Nope. And he's the guy who got hurt... Yankee fans are crybabies. Now you have the perfect manager.

[Tingler]

Maybe they shouldn't keep score, hit off a tee or there own coach/pitcher and everyone should get a participation ribbon or trophy. Oh wait, he's not talking about pee-wee teeball; this is the Big Leagues Josephine; where a cup or go home!!

[Tommy]

I would love to see if this was the other way around. I really think Madden would be pissed. I do not buy his remark one bit. Don't get pissy when we have our payback! Thats ok, I do not take the Rays that seriously once the season starts the "much improved" Rays will be another footnote in another exciting season.

[Costner]

Girardi needs to stop being a sissy. Go play ball, maybe his stupid whining is why he only stayed a year at the Marlins. By the way, the Yankees and Red Sox need to look out this year, don't expect 95 wins whiners. Why don't the fans of those teams start liking the local team, the Rays, oh yeah, that's right when we are good, you people will suddenly proclaim yourselves as life long fans. Band-waggoners, both of yuz...

[tampaderek]

There should be payback....and soon. Girardi is right on this one.

[Tom]

Play the game or get a desk job .

[Hawk]

Stop whining like a spoiled brat and just play ball. Geez!!!!!

[Brian]

Please recognize the sarcasm in the devil's advocate point. Girardi (and Red Sox Nation for that matter) simply doesn't realize that we don't care as much about his Yankees as he does. Not all teams cherry pick players from other teams who have already proven themselves; young players need to prove themselves by playing baseball correctly when they are given the chance.

[CharlieRay]

It's just baseball and Giradi has no point at all. If he doesn't want someone run over don't block the plate. Just apply the tag the same as a 2nd or 3rd baseman would do. When you cut of the route which is legal and was done by the cry-baby Yanks you have to expect a trained professional to react in the only way he has ever been trained. We are all sorry for his injury but don't blame us.

[Brian]

To be the devil's advocate, I think Giradi has a point. In fact, I heard that there are serious rumblings in the NFL to make preseason a four week flag football league. The Rays are taking over the field, let's take over the stands!

[Fred]

"I like iTunes, I download some stuff off iTunes"
Genius quote.
I like Madden more and more each day.