There is a reason Joe Girardi is one of the longest tenured managers in the majors. He was preparing for a managerial role his entire playing career. That was never more prevalent than with Girardi’s time with the Rockies.
Girardi was drafted by the Cubs in 1986. While he had a very respectable career in Chicago, he was not protected in the 1992 expansion draft and was picked up by the Rockies.
In 1993 he batted .290 in 86 games. In 1994 he played 93 games in a strike shortened season and hit .276. He went on to become one of the better hitting catchers in Rockies history.