Girardi name-dropped nearly a dozen former Phillies players or managers during his press conferencePHILLIES
New Phillies manager Joe Girardi "hit a grand slam" during his introductory press conference, as he was "charming, engaging and entertaining," according to Rob Maaddi of the AP. Girardi yesterday "said all the right things" (AP, 10/28). In Philadelphia, Scott Lauber writes Girardi "likely charmed any naysayers by name-dropping no fewer than 11 former Phillies players or managers within the first five minutes of his remarks." As introductions go, it was "pitch-perfect" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/29). Also in Philadelphia, Mike Sielski notes during the press conference, Phillies VP & GM Matt Klentak "sat at a table next to Girardi," but Managing Partner John Middleton and President Andy MacPhail "didn't attend the event, a sure sign that the Phillies were in no mood for questions about the franchise's chain of command" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/29).
BACK IN THE CLUBHOUSE: In Chicago, Paul Sullivan notes new Cubs manager David Ross yesterday "handled himself well" during his introductory press conference and was "much more serious" than the man fans watched as the clubhouse leader in '15 and '16. Cubs co-Owner Laura Ricketts was the "only Ricketts sibling to attend" Ross' introduction (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/29). The AP's Andrew Seligman noted Ross "spent the past three years" in the Cub's front office and as an ESPN analyst. Working with Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and Exec VP & GM Jed Hoyer, Ross said that he "gained deeper appreciation for the work behind the scenes -- the communication between top executives and the manager, the coaching, scouting and development in the minors" (AP, 10/28). In Chicago, Barry Rozner writes Ross will be "under a microscope given his lack of experience coaching and managing." Even the Cubs' fan base, which "can be so forgiving, is going to want more" in '20 (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 10/29).
