So, after Donny-Baseball came out and stumped for himself yesterday, a job he did rather poorly I might add, my uncounted vote goes to 2006 National League Manager of the year and former Yankee Catcher, Joe Girardi.

"I may not have coaching experience, but for the past 4 years I have been managing in my mind" said Mattingly. Oh yeah? Well, "from the time I was 14 to the day I went to college, Alyssa Milano and I were involved in a very loving, very caring, VERY physical relationship.... IN MY MIND!" Would-be Yankee managers need not advocate for themselves, and seeing... and listening to Don Mattingly mitigate his lack of Head Coaching experience by stating that he "role-played" each and every game that saw him on the bench is a weak argument. Better he had said that he picked Torre's brain at every opportunity. His "in my mind" argument is akin to stating that he has kicked-RUMP in his Rotisserie Baseball Leagues.

Look, I like Donny Baseball as much as the next Yankee fan and his legacy is unquestionable. However, just because Mattingly's Yankee player pedigree is impecabble doesn't mean that he's currently qualified to be the Head Coach of the most storied and accomplished franchise in all of Baseball. Contrast Mattingly's Steak Tar-Tar raw resume' with that of Joe Girardi, who worked wonders with a young Florida Marlin team and rotation. Next season could see the Yankees trot-out baby-faced hurlers Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy, move highly regarded reliever Joba Chamberlain to the starting ro', and possibly promote 25 year-old 6-4/235 reliever Ross Ohlendorf to the bigs' and insert him into the long-reliever role. Mattingly's abilities to work with any staff are suspect at best, but the Florida Marlin starters ALL benefited from Girardi's capable stewardship. With several Marlins, including the apparently-lost Dontrelle Willis enjoying career-best seasons with Joe at the helm, there can be no doubt about his Pitching acumen. The fact that Joey G. knows Baseball from the Catcher's position cannot be over-stated. If the Yankees are to rebuild... and make no mistake, there will be no reloading for this staff, it's a rebuild with all the too-young to shave faces in the Bomber fold, New York would be well-served to have an experienced hand on the wheel. Just look at what Joe Torre did to his relievers; Scott Proctor... worked to death. Vizcaino? Also worked to the bone. Kyle Farnsworth? placed into too many critical situations. Mariano? Brought in for waaay to many 2-inning Saves. Truth be told, had the "Joba rules" not been instituted, Torre might've given Chamberlain a longshoreman's work-load. With Mattingly being an unabashed Torre-disciple, that's reason for concern. In conjunction, where Girardi is a seasoned in-game tactician, Mattingly has only played head-games. The Yankees don't need a Torre re-hash, the club could've kept the real McCoy if they wanted to maintain the status Quo. The Yankees need to start playing some uptempo Baseball... the brand of ball that has seen them eliminated from post-C' contention too many times now. Hit and Run? Double-Steal? How about a Suicide Squeeze. When can ANY Yankee fan recall seeing Torre put on the Squeeze play? Right, me neither. I would also add that Mattingly interactions with the New York media have been largely limited, the New York media is capable of chewing up... and spitting-out anyone. Girardi, at least, is accustomed to the Tri-State media and has answered the tough questions a Head Coach neesd to answer. A breath of fresh air is far more preferrable to Baseball business as usual.

Here's what I, at least, think would be a reasonable compromise; offer the job to Girardi and continue to employ Mattingly as Bench-Coach. I have my doubts that the senior player, Mattingly, would be willing to subjugate himself to Girardi, the junior, but Mattingly could learn a great deal, and New York... New York would brag another gifted coach. Instead of the Yankees being shepherded by a "Donnie on the spot" who still has much to learn, the Bombers would do well to hire the creative and fiery Girardi who's no "regular Joe." If there's one thing the Yankees need? It's an infusion of energy... and fast, and Girardi would certainly provide New York with that.