Joe Girardi to Manage Team USA in Tokyo 2020 Qualifier

While he might be taking a sabbatical from managing in the MLB, Joe Girardi has decided to get back on the horse and take over Team USA's managerial duties.

The former Yankees manager, who hasn't landed an MLB job since being fired in 2017, has been named the manager of Team USA and will lead the team into qualifiers for the 2020 World Cup in Tokyo. Part of the reason Girardi was chosen was the idea that he could attract top MLB talent to suit up.

Joe Girardi will manage Team USA at the @WBSC Premier12 in November — a qualifying tournament for @Tokyo2020. Massive news for @USABaseball. Girardi’s role with the team will be a major boost to U.S. efforts to attract the best players. @MLB @MLBNetwork https://t.co/lFL5MPvELD
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 7, 2019

While the impossible-to-please New York media wasn't always on board, Girardi did nothing short of an excellent job as manager of the Yankees, averaging 91 wins per season, never winning fewer than 84 games in a season, and leading the team to their 27th championship in 2009.

Considering the fact that it's a crime that Girardi has been passed over for a managerial opening for two consecutive seasons in the MLB, this was as good a hire for Team USA as humanly possible.

Joe Girardi was one of the last cuts for the 1984 U.S. Olympic baseball team; 35 years later, he’s signed on to manage @USABaseball and ensure his country reaches @Tokyo2020. My story on Girardi’s next challenge: https://t.co/5VdZEKJbo3 @WBSC @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 7, 2019

If 91 wins per season for a decade isn't enough to convince MLB GMs of his acumen as a manager, maybe a gold medal will suffice.