Checking in with Joe Girardi, today's honorary captain. . . ~~;~~~~~~~~~:C/alcontributor

n 2007, Northwestern alum Joe Girardi was pitcher in the same class as Girardi. "He just By the time he graduated in 1986, Girardi I hired as manager of the New York Yankees, had that instinct. He had that command of the was a three-time All -Big Ten catcher and choosing to wear No. 27 on his uniform as a game from a strategic standpoint and he was three-time Academic All-American. His love symbol of his wish to lead the organization able to motivate others." for numbers had led him to earn a degree in to its 27th World Series title. The industrial engineering, a skill set that next year, the former Northwestern only enhanced his ability to evaluate baseball player did just that, gUiding hitters and opposing pitchers. Girardi the Yankees to their 40th American would also meet his future wife, League pennant and 27th World Kimberly Innocenzi, during his senior Championship in 2008. year at NU, confiding in his teammates Girardi, who won three rings during after only one date that she was the girl his celebrated 1S-year career as a he would marry. The couple now have big-league catcher, is known now for three children: Serena, Dante and Lena. his staunch stance and stoic gaze "Northwestern really has shaped my in the Yankee dugout. But look past life and who I am," Girardi said. "When the pinstripes and you'll find a man you're 17 years old and you're thinking filled with humility and inspiring about baseball in college, J don't think determination. His success over the you realize the importance of the years has not come by accid ent. academic institution that you picked "(J oe was] disciplined, dedicated and how those four years in college and somebody who just loved to play are going to shape the rest of your life. the game," said Northwestern head w I had a wonderful time. I had great baseball coach Paul Stevens, who teammates. I had a great example in \~ was an assistant during Girardi's Ron Wellman. I had great coaches." " ", time at NU. "He was as genuine of That bond has kept Girardi a part an individual as yo u could find with of not only Northwestern baseball but tremendous time management skills Northwestern football as well. In 1995, : .i l and work ethic." Joe Girardi with NU !Iead football coach Pat Fitzgerald the success of the 'Cats on the gridiron Girardi discovered a passion for kept Girardi up into the wee hours of baseball atthe age of six while playing in the The pitcher describes what their team the morning to catch game scores when he backyard with hi s father and brothers. He shared as an "unbreakable bond," one that was overseas. He remains a loyal fan and a began playing on the Little League fields of manifested itself off the field. When Girardi's good friend of head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Peoria, Ill ., shortly after, and by the time he mother Angela died after a battle with cancer "I didn't really see [Fitz's] love for the game reached his senior year of high school, he was the summer before his junior year, several and the passion that he had until I saw him looking at a number of schools to play his current and former teammates traveled great on the sidelines," Girardi said. "I have so much college ball. A visit to Northwestern in June distances to attend her funeral in Illinois. respect fo r that because I truly believe that he 1982, however, changed everything. "It's the support that I've always had from gets it, that he cares about his pl ayers more ''At the time [of my visit], my mother my teammates that has been unbelievable," as individuals than what's going to happen to was sick with cancer. Education was always Girardi said. him. I just love watching them play because extremely important in our household, and Even years later in 2006, Hall organized a I think they play with his character and his when Coach [Ron Wellman] offered me a surprise reunion at Girardi's horne during a heart." scholarship, her eyes lit up," Girardi said. "! tough time in Girardi's managerial career-a The two men have developed a close knew that was the place for me." testament to the team's lifelong friendships. friendship over the years, connected by a Girardi was a tireless worker who "left "I think the thing that stands out the most bond that comes only from being a Wildcat. no stone unturned," according to Stevens, for me about Joe Girardi is his compassion "H e's just such a tremendous leader," when it came to his athletics and academics. for people, hi s genuine caring for th e people Fitzgerald said of Girardi. "To see the His work ethic was infectious; he was the around him. He's someone who has always professional career he had and then to read first freshman to be elected president of a taken the time to make time for whoever and about his work ethic, his demeanor, the way fraternity and his three-hour study sessions whatever situation might be in anyone's life he approaches the game of baseball and the at the library on weeknights soon became besides his own," says Stevens. "Family has way he leads his players-a lot of it is by group events with teammates. always been extremely important to him and example. It's great to have one of the greatest "Even back in college, I think anumber of the players on his team were definitely family Wildcats in program history come back. It's us knew that not only was he a really good to him. That's the way he thought about it very fitting: Senior Day, ThanksgiVing, playing ballplayer but [that he] was going to be a then and that's the way he thinks about it the top team in our conference. To have Joe great manager," said Grady Hall, who was a now." here is very special."

NUSPORTS.COM