The Girardi Era in the Bronx Ends

Blockbuster news on Thursday. While an off day in the World Series is normally reserved for analysis of the Fall Classic as the action shifts cities, Joe Girardi upended the apple cart. 

Releasing a personal message to the public in mid-morning that began, "With a heavy heart, I come to you because the Yankees have decided not to bring me back...”, Girardi broke the news that his 10-year tenure as manager had come to an end. Six playoff appearances over a decade -- including this year's surprising rise to the ALCS, where they lost in seven to the Astros -- were not enough to convince Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner that the ex-catcher was the right guy to lead their young and talented new core.

Was it a relunctance to go all-in on analytics, a failure to turn Gary Sanchez into an adequate receiver, or strained relationships with other players? We probably won't learn those details soon, if ever. But the franchise once mocked for a revolving door of skippers had become a model of consistency, with just two managers in the past 22 seasons.

It will be interesting to see how the organization fills the vacancy as it renews its chase for a 28th championship.