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Interview with David Cone |
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Written by Cecilia Tan
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Friday, 14 March 2008 |
 (Editor's Note) Cecilia Tan has several talents; she's a gifted sportswriter, editor, and interviewer. As a Senior Writer for Gotham Baseball Magazine, she never fails to enetertain our readership with ther wonderful work. Lucky for us, she drops in from time to time with exclusive pieces like this Q&A with David Cone, former Yankee, Met and now YES game analyst, for our digital home. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. - MH
CT: So I wanted to talk to you today
about Joe Girardi and his transition to Yankee manager. You obviously
have a history with him as former teammates and now your continuing
association with the Yankees, for both of you.
David Cone: I think he's going to do extremely well. He's already run a very, very good spring training. he's been very well received on all fronts. He's going to be one of the most prepared and energetic guys you're ever going to be around to manage a baseball team. Some people just seem to fit into the mold of a major league manager, and he falls right into it.
CT: I've always thought of him, even when he was playing, as a "future manager type."
Cone: I think he's probably happier now than he was when he was playing. I think he's enjoying this more. He really has the look about him of this is where I'm supposed to be, this is what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm sure he enjoyed his major league career as a player, but it seems like there's a little extra fire in his eyes right now.
CT: You don't think he works TOO hard sometimes?
Cone: I didn't get that sense as a player, and I don't know how you define that. It's a long, grinding major league season, 162 games, 184 days, plus spring training and hopefully the postseason. It's every day and he's a routine guy. He gets up at the same time every morning, eats almost the same breakfast, and prepares for the day with an energy level that is very consistent. That's just who he is.
CT: How do you think it'll affect him that he's managing some players now that he actually played with?
Cone: That was one of the things that I looked at early in spring training as real sign as to how things would go. And all the veterans welcomed him with open arms. Even with all the extra running and the military style camp he's run. All the veterans just bought into it.
CT: Do you think they secretly love it?
Cone: Nobody has grumbled. Nobody's complained. And that's the worst thing, if you get veteran players kind of grumbling under their breath about this and that and a new manager trying to reinvent the wheel. There hasn't been any of that here.
CT; They all want to win.
Cone: They do want to win, and they understand that this guy is trying to establish himself, and establish his identity as the manager away from Joe Torre. And I think they wanted to help him. Which is a great thing, when you have veteran players that understand the need to help establish a new manager and to support him. I think that's been the case here.
CT: What's the biggest difference between the old Joe and the new one?
Cone: There are a lot of similarities. The differences are, you know, Joe Torre was so seasoned. He'd been through so much in his life. He was ready to be the Yankee manager at that particular time, and his personality suited the situation at that particular time and place. And I think the Yankees are at a place now where they have a lot of young players, they've sort of changed their philosophy. They're going to hang on to that young talent and see if they can make it. And that goes hand in hand with a young, energetic manager.
CT: So what's your number one advice for Joe Girardi this year?
Cone: Just stay consistent. That was Joe Torre's best trait, that he was so even keeled and consistent. They have a lot of the same skills. Joe Torre had a broadcasting career that really helped him with the New York media, and so did Joe Girardi's. In a short period of time he got a wealth of experience on all fronts. My advice to him would be just be consistent, stay consistent.Cecilia Tan is a Senior Writer for
Gotham Baseball Magazine, the author of the book "The 50 Greatest Yankee
Games," editor of the annual "Bombers Broadside" (in
stores now). Read more of her work online at “Why I Like Baseball”.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 March 2008 )
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