Shouldn't be surprised...

That Girardi was joining the fun and rooting for the Red Sox. In a more subtle way than the other guys (h/t Rizzo, who stayed out of it...maybe why they hardly used him), but that's the way Joe does things. Remember how much he resented Posada because he had to teach Jorge how to catch better? Then he seethed, waiting his chance, became manager, and in Jorge's final season, Joe treated him like shit. Humiliated him. Benched him. Generally was a complete asshole.

Mr. Nice Guy...on the surface

That's how Girardi is. And he's not even Sicilian, although I can't vouch for his mother's side. Holds a grudge, waits for his chance, often gets his revenge in a passive-aggressive fashion, like he did last night and the night before. Careful not to look too obviously one-sided because he doesn't want to be labeled as the nasty hardass jarhead he can be.

The Yanks fired him. Sure, YES hired him, eventually. And he actually does call a good game when he works with Kay. That is not a venue for revenge, it's just hometown homers watching.

But on the national stage...well, that's different.

We won't be getting his either smart insights or disguised favortism during the Rays series. It's on TBS, and this is the likely announcer lineup.

Goodbye Joe, we gotta go, me-oh my-oh.

2026 ALDS Broadcast Information

Networks: TBS, truTV, and Max (HBO Max)
Primary Play-by-Play: Brian Anderson or Alex Faust
Analysts / Color Commentators: Ron Darling and Jeff Francoeur
Studio Hosts: Lauren Shehadi and Adam Lefkoe
Studio Analysts: Pedro Martinez, Curtis Granderson, and Jimmy Rollins