Jerry Girardi, father of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, passed away on the eve of the team’s playoff run Saturday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81.
Girardi, who said he will continue to manage ahead of Monday’s funeral, had not informed the team of his father’s death until news leaked out today.
“I didn’t want the team to have to deal with it,” Girardi said at a pregame press conference.
Jerry Girardi was born on May 5, 1931, and married Angela Perino in 1959. He is survived by five children and six grandchildren.
“I’ve had to [manage] the last three or four days, I’ll be able to do my job, because I know that’s what he would want me to do,” Girardi said.
“It’s the first time in over 28 years that my mom and dad will see a game together,” he said.
Girardi’s mother died in 1984.
A moment of silence will be held before tonight’s Game 4 against the Baltimore Orioles.
