Jerry Girardi, the father of New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday. He was suffering from Alzheimer's Dsease.
Jerry was the father of five children. Joe credited him with introducing him to the sport of baseball and gave him his first World Series ring. As of this time, no plans have been scheduled for services but Dieters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria, Illinois will be handling the arrangements.
Girardi will still manage in Thursday night's Game 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees currently hold a two games to one lead in the American League Division Series thanks to the heroics of pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez who hit two homeruns on Wednesday night. If New York can manage another victory on Thursday, they will punch their ticket to the American League Championship Series.
The game is scheduled to start at 7:37 p.m. ET at Yankees Stadium.