NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
World Series champion Joe Girardi revealed what is most “disturbing” to him about politics today.
Girardi, 61, has been in clubhouses for a long time as both a player and a manager. He played 15 seasons in the major leagues as a catcher and then managed for nearly 14 years. The All-Star catcher talked about the difference in politics from then to now.
“I think politics unfortunately has become a hot button for the United States of America unfortunately and it separates us — before where I felt it didn’t separate us. That’s the most disturbing,” Girardi told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Joe Girardi No. 28 of the New York Yankees walks back to the dugout against the Houston Astros during the second inning in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 21, 2017, in Houston, Texas. (Elsa/Getty Images)
The former New York Yankees manager said there were “absolutely” more conversations in the clubhouse about politics toward the end of his time in the dugout than at the beginning of his career.
He said that as a manager, he would tell players to listen to each other.
“I would just tell guys to be patient and listen to each other and understand that you’re going to have different views and just be respectful. I mean, you don’t have to have the same view. We all grew up different. That’s the bottom line, different backgrounds. And just be patient with each other,” Girardi said.
WORLD SERIES CHAMPION JOE GIRADI REVEALS THE TWO MAJOR THINGS IMPACTING THE TRADE DEADLINE
Joe Girardi salutes the crowd during the New York Yankees Old Timers Day on Aug. 24, 2024, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Girardi, who won three World Series as a player during his 15-year career and one as a manager of the New York Yankees, said he doesn’t think politics becomes an issue within a clubhouse.
“I don’t think it really becomes a problem in too many clubhouses because I think there’s a common goal and they find a way to come together with a common goal and that’s to win,” Girardi told Fox News Digital on behalf of Perfect Game.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi stands at Citi Field in New York City on May 28, 2022. (USA TODAY Sports)
Girardi spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Cubs, the next three with the Rockies, the next four with the Yankees and returned to the Cubs for three years before spending his final season with the Cardinals. He made the All-Star Game in 2000 with the Cubs.
He had a career .267 batting average with 36 home runs and 424 RBI. After his playing career, he became a manager. He spent one season with the Miami Marlins in 2006 and then managed the Yankees for 10 seasons, beginning in 2008. Girardi most recently managed the Phillies for 2½ years from 2020 to 2022.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.