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SPORTS Thursday 16 November 2017
Girardi says he was ‘a little shocked’ when Yanks let him go

By RONALD BLUM take a job as a manager, a subpar performance
AP Baseball Writer you know that this is a pos- through August.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Joe sibility, and you have to “They were the best that
Girardi expected to be deal with this. You also get we had and so I would
back for an 11th season as to deal with the other side, anticipate going in that
New York Yankees man- the excitement of being again, but that doesn’t
ager. hired.” mean people can’t flip
“I was a little shocked,” he His 910-710 regular-season scripts, either,” Cashman
said of his dismissal Tuesday record with the Yankees is said.
after attending a meeting sixth in victories managing “We’ll have and have had
of Major League Baseball’s the team, and he led New people asking about our
competition committee. York to its 27th World Series players, seeing if they can
Yankees general man- title in 2009. find matches to compel
ager Brian Cashman an- Girardi anticipates having us to consider making any
nounced his decision Oct. discussions after Thanks- moves. So we’ll see what
26, and then explained last giving about working as a happens. I’m not saying
week he made the move broadcaster for a national that specifically to Jacoby
because of “ability to fully network. He will not return Former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi talks with Ellsbury.”
reporters at the annual MLB general managers’ meetings,
engage, communicate, next year to the Yankees’ Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Now 34, Ellsbury is guaran-
connect with the playing YES Network, where he Associated Press teed $21,142,857 in each
personnel.” worked in 2007 before he of the next three seasons,
Girardi said he wasn’t dis- was hired to manage the if you go on a website or if long as they want me. So and the Yankees have a
appointed about the state- team. you’re watching TV, it flash- it’s kind of what I do,” Gi- $21 million option for 2021
ments. “I think that would be kind es across the bottom,” he rardi said, laughing. with a $5 million buyout. He
“I’m one that (is) pretty of strange,” he said. said. Also at the meetings, Cash- has a full no-trade provi-
aware of what happens New York has interviewed “But it’s not something that man said Jacoby Ellsbury sion.
and what goes on inside a bench coach Rob Thom- I’m paying close attention will start spring training as “If there is going to be
clubhouse ... so I don’t ever son and former Cleveland to.” a fourth outfielder behind something for consider-
worry about that,” he said. and Seattle manager Eric Former Yankees captain left fielder Brett Gardner, ation with Jacoby, I would
“You know, it’s life,” he Wedge for the opening, Derek Jeter, now in charge center fielder Aaron Hicks make sure I would stay
added. “You understand and Cashman expects in- of the Miami Marlins’ base- and right fielder Aaron ahead of it and try to have
that you have to move terviews to resume after ball and business opera- Judge. Ellsbury’s season — include anybody in the
on. I invested a lot of time the general managers’ tions, was part of the com- was slowed by a concus- process on their side of it
in there and have a lot of meetings this week. Girardi petition committee meet- sion that sidelined him for a to make sure it’s handled
great memories there. But is aware of the search. ing. month starting in late May, in the proper way,” Cash-
this is part of life. When you “It’s hard not to, because “I’m going to stay with it as and aftereffects caused man said. “q

Papa John’s apologizes

for criticizing NFL

anthem protests

By The Associated Press impact our business and
Papa John’s Pizza apolo- we sincerely apologize to
gized Tuesday night for anyone that thought they
comments made by CEO were divisive,” it said. “That
John Schnatter blaming definitely was not our inten-
sluggish pizza sales on NFL tion.
players kneeling during the “We believe in the right to
national anthem. protest inequality and sup-
The Louisville, Kentucky- port the players’ move-
based company is a major ment to create a new plat-
NFL sponsor and advertiser, form for change. We also
and Schnatter said on an believe, as Americans, we
earnings call on Nov. 1 that should honor our anthem.
“NFL leadership has hurt There is a way to do both.”
Papa John’s sharehold- The movement was start-
ers” and that the protests ed last year by former San
“should have been nipped Francisco 49ers quarter-
in the bud a year and a back Colin Kaepernick, In this Oct. 2, 2016 file photo, San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick, left, and safety Eric
half ago.” who kneeled to protest Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys
The company tweeted what he said was police in Santa Clara, Calif.
a statement offering to mistreatment of blacks. Associated Press
“work with the players and More players began kneel-
league to find a positive ing after President Donald ing the anthem. itself from white suprema- The company’s stock has
way forward.” Trump said at an Alabama Papa John’s added that it cists who praised Schnat- fallen by nearly 13 per-
“The statements made on rally in September that is “open to ideas from all. ter’s comments, saying it cent since Schnatter’s
our earnings call were de- team owners should get rid Except neo-Nazis.” It previ- does not want those groups comments.q
scribing the factors that of players who protest dur- ously has tried to distance to buy its pizza.