Joe Girardi will continue to manage the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series despite the recent death of his father. Girardi has managed the entire ALDS since his father, Jerry, died Saturday at the age of 81. Joe Girardi acknowledged Thursday that he did not want his father's death to be a distraction. Jerry Girardi had battled Alzheimer's disease for more than 10 years and was living in an assisted-care facility in Metamora, Ill. -- a suburb of Peoria. On trips to Chicago as manager of the Yankees, Joe Girardi often would make the 2½-hour trip to Peoria to be with his ailing father. The Yanks host the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night and can clinch a trip to the AL Championship Series with a victory. The Yankees will observe a moment of silence for Jerry Girardi before the game. Source: ESPN
