We have seen this before. We have even seen it go well before:
That was Nov. 1, 1995, the day Buck Showalter’s contract expired as manager of the Yankees. He’d done more heavy lifting than just about any skipper in team history, dragging the Yankees from 91 losses to Game 5 of the ALDS in four years. He was the toast of Yankees fans everywhere. Then George Steinbrenner decided to part ways with him.
The resulting outrage made what happened Tuesday — when James Dolan ordered Tom Thibodeau to walk the gangplank — feel like a chorus of hymns.
Steinbrenner was so shaken, he tried to hire Showalter back. Buck wouldn’t budge. Instead, he had to settle for the man he’d already hired.
