PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After Sunday’s 10-8 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, Phillies manager Joe Girardi showed an unusual level of frustration when reporters pressed him about an apparently heated moment in the dugout with second baseman Jean Segura.
Footage courtesy of Toronto television didn’t show much of what happened after Segura misplayed a ball in the first inning of Sunday’s game — just Girardi walking away from him as third base coach Dusty Wathan stood between them.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto and infield coach Juan Castro eventually made their way to Segura as well. Segura was not happy at all with whatever happened.
Later, when Girardi removed starting pitcher Chase Anderson during the second inning, Segura was the only infielder not to make his way to the mound during the pitching change, according to reports.
So, after the Phillies' rally fell short in a game with poor defense on both teams, reporters wanted to know what happened in the dugout. Girardi wasn't talking.
"It was a bench conversation meant for the bench," Girardi said twice.
Then, when asked about a possible resolution, Girardi said, "That’s my job."
Moments later, a reporter tried to follow up, but Girardi interrupted. "Guys, you can ask all you want. You got everything you’re gonna get about it. I’m done with it. I know you’re doing your job, but that’s it."
Girardi — a former player and long-time Yankees manager — has worked in the media before as an analyst
But that wasn't it for one more reporter, who asked for clarification: Was it a "conversation" or "confrontation"?
Fed up, Girardi said, "Next question," urging the press conference to move past the incident. "You got a baseball question, ask me a baseball question."
The reporter said it was a baseball question, because it was about the baseball team, but Girardi impatiently said, "Anyone else?"
Anderson said he was focused on his task — thus offering no further details.
First baseman Rhys Hoskins said he heard it but didn’t see it, and he described it as a heat-of-the-moment situation.
Girardi was also frustrated after the Phillies' 4-0 loss Saturday to the Blue Jays, which included three errors by the Phils. When asked about the suspect defense, he said directly, "Just catch the ball. That’s all we need to do."
When Hoskins was asked if he has seen Girardi this frustrated before, and whether the manager is expressing this to the team behind closed doors, Hoskins said, "Yes and no. Obviously any manager doesn’t want to see some of the plays that are being made or not being made, but he’s also fighting for us as well. He’s got our backs at every turn. That’s all we can ask for."
Segura was not available for comment after Sunday's game, by his own choice, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.