A Subjective Essay By JT Pilaf


As the family grows and continues to change, we use our family blog to keep in touch, remind each other of who we are, where we came from, and where were going.
Given the recent events that you read about in the previous post, UG was certainly out to protect his loved ones. One day AS was given a very important duty to hold on to 2 Mickey Plastic Plates (UG wanted to wrap them up as the Pirate gift). The plates were somehow stolen out of my dear Aunt's hands. When UG heard of this horrific story, he was set out to find the culprit who pried them from his lovely bride's hands.
During the journey, which took us to new heights, we searched near and far for these plates. Everyone was a suspect, even his family.
When Austin admitted to the theft, he decided that he should receive some type of punishment. He was held against his will (its a fake smile), until his cousin Emma fought off the evil guards and freed Austin.
The three older woman decided it might be best to part ways for the day, while at EPCOT we were approached by NBC to participate in a new show that is about to premier. I thought this could be my big hit. When we were escorted to the costume room, they applied pretty makeup and this nice hat. I guess that was my 15 minutes of fame. Well once our gig was over the scary producer was impressed with our style.
We tried to make the best of our vacation; and wished success and fame to Sandra. Although, we missed her terribly. There was a sense of jealousy among us that AS and I weren't picked for the production.
As our trip was winding down, Sandra returned back with us after Hollywood gave her a little break and allowed her to return back to us. When we told Sandra it just wasn't the same without her, she was moved; to tears.
The Yankees officially offered their managerial job to Joe Girardi on Monday morning and he is expected to accept it, a source has told 1050 ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand.
"The Yankees have offered Joe the opportunity to become their next manager. Discussions are ongoing," Steve Mandell, Girardi's agent, said.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Don Mattingly and Tony Pena that they will not be getting the job.
Girardi was in Denver for the World Series. A source said he is expected to fly to New York for the announcement, which is likely to come Tuesday. Girardi's contract is expected to be in the three-year, $6 million range.
Mattingly will not accept a position on the Yankees coaching staff, Marchand and ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney are reporting.
"Don was extremely disappointed that he wasn't the organization's choice to fill the manager's vacancy," Mattingly's agent, Ray Schulte, said in a statement.
Hank Steinbrenner, one of owner George Steinbrenner's sons, said Monday he wasn't sure when an announcement would be made. He added there would be more discussions during the day concerning the candidates.
"These guys were put through the ringer," he said from Tampa, Fla. "I think we're ready to make an informed decision."
Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for George Steinbrenner, said: "We have nothing to announce right now."
Girardi caught for the Yankees from 1996-99, served as a bench coach in 2005, then managed the Marlins the following year and was NL Manager of the Year. He kept a young team in contention until September, then was fired, apparently for clashing with owner Jeffrey Loria and others above him.
The 43-year-old Girardi turned down the Baltimore Orioles' managerial job last summer, choosing to spend time with his father, who had health problems.
Girardi, working as a broadcaster Sunday night for Fox Sports from the World Series in Denver, said he had nothing to announce regarding his status as a manager.
"Still former," Girardi said. "Nothing extra tonight."
Girardi was the first to interview Monday, followed by Mattingly on Tuesday and Pena on Wednesday. Pena won AL Manager of the Year in 2003 after the Kansas City Royals (83-79) posted their first winning season since 1994 -- Hank Steinbrenner told The Times that Pena was "definitely under consideration."
Mattingly has no managerial experience. He spent three seasons as New York's hitting coach before he became Joe Torre's bench coach last year. A six-time All-Star, Mattingly is among the most beloved players in Yankees history.
Torre declined a one-year offer to return at a reduced salary after leading the team to four World Series championships and 12 playoff appearances in as many seasons.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Name: Joe Girardi
Age: 43
Managing background: One season with Florida Marlins, who were 78-84. Named 2006 National League manager of year.
Playing career: Spent parts of 15 seasons in majors with Chicago Cubs, Colorado, St. Louis and New York Yankees. Won three World Series titles with Yankees (1996, 1998-99). He hit .267 and had 1,100 career hits in 1,277 career games. Retired in 2002.
Personal: Married to Kim with three children. Graduate of Northwestern University with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. Three-time academic All-American.