Girardi thinking of his dad on Father's Day

ANAHEIM -- Playing on Father's Day has always taken on special meaning to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, who shared an extremely close bond with his father, Jerry.

Jerry passed away last October, but Joe continues to honor his memory, specifically on days like Sunday.

"Days like today, I think of my dad, and how important he was to my life and giving me the opportunity to do what I did," Girardi said. "I also think of my mom, too. It really hits home, and then you think of how special it is to be a dad yourself."

Obviously, Girardi would have loved to have spent Father's Day at home with his children, but he said he was moved by the personalized notes he received from them.

"This is a game -- it's generational," Girardi said. "Dads sit with sons, dads sit with daughters and grandparents sit with grandkids. It's pretty neat."