NEW YORK -- Joe Girardis return as manager of the New York Yankees was all about family. Girardi signed a four-year contract that could be worth up to $20 million Wednesday to stay with New York through 2017. With the Yankees missing out on the playoffs this season for the second time in 19 years, the 48-year-old Girardi got an early start on determining his future. He went over several possible scenarios with his wife, Kim, and three children that included taking a year off, pursuing a broadcasting job or managing somewhere else. But they quickly came to the conclusion that six years in New York was not enough. "It wasnt ever a lot of thought that I might not possibly come back. I just had to make sure that everyone was still on board," Girardi said on a conference call. Girardi was in the final month of his second three-year contract (worth $9 million) with the Yankees since taking over for Joe Torre after the 2007 season, and he asked for a fourth year in the new deal. The contract includes $16 million guaranteed and up to $4 million in bonuses, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial details were not announced. "Our lives have been here for six years," Girardi said. "I think stability is important." The pull of returning to his native Illinois to manage the Chicago Cubs, the team he grew up rooting for, did not factor greatly into his decision because once his family agreed he should manage it was set on New York. "Chicago is special to me. And I think itll always be special to me," Girardi said. "But this place is really special to me, too. Because of what Ive experienced here. ... And my kids and my wife are established in the community here. We just thought it was important to stay." In a 15-year career as a catcher, Girardi won three World Series titles with the Yankees from 1996-99. As manager, he has led New York to the playoffs in four of his six seasons, winning the World Series in 2009. Under Girardi, the big-spending Yankees have gone a major league-best 564-408 (.580) since 2008. Even though New York finished tied for third in the AL East at 85-77, Girardi had what many believed was his best season as a manager. He kept the Yankees in the playoff chase until late September despite significant injuries to stars Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson. "I wouldnt have come back if I didnt think we could win a championship," Girardi said. "I know theres a lot of work to be done. I know theres a lot of holes that we have to fill. Theres people leaving and people retiring. But I have faith in our organization." Girardi is sticking with a team that places the utmost premium on winning championships but is entering the off-season with uncharacteristic uncertainty. Girardi thinks it may be the most uncertain time during his tenure in New York. "It was something that I definitely thought about. What would the New York Yankees look like in 2014, and beyond?" he said. Quite different, it turns out. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte just retired, Jeter played only 17 games this year after breaking his ankle last October and A-Rod is appealing a 211-game suspension. All-Star second baseman Robinson Cano is a free agent, as are pitcher Hiroki Kuroda and Granderson. Cano could be seeking a 10-year contract worth up to $305 million. Also, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner has said the team is determined to get under next years $189 million luxury tax threshold -- which includes about $177 million for player salaries. General manager Brian Cashman, though, recently said its unclear if staying within that limit is possible. "I think $189 millions still an awful lofty number," Girardi said. He acknowledged the Yankees will have to mix in players from their minor league teams to help remake the roster. Steinbrenner has expressed disappointment in the farm system after several players failed to produce when thrust into major league roles this year. But Girardi, the NL Manager of the Year in 2006 when he led a young Florida Marlins team to a 78-84 record in his first year as a manager, is hopeful. "We want to see these guys move, and move quickly," Girardi said. "And youd like to be able to say you have a core again of young players, which I think would be important to this organization." Dorian ODaniel Chiefs Jersey . With newly minted president of hockey operations Trevor Linden looking on from above one day after being handed the keys to the franchise, it was more of the same on Thursday night. Demarcus Robinson Jersey . The Argentine midfielder made the announcement himself on Twitter on Tuesday and posted a picture of his swollen left foot. His message said he would be out "at least three weeks. http://www.chiefsauthenticofficialstore....adi-jersey.html. - After a back-and-forth battle throughout the season, Alex Guenette has earned the 2013 rookie of the year award for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 by just one point over Ryley Seibert. Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys . Markieff Morris and Marcus Morris, city natives, handled the catering for teammates that begged them for the tasty postgame feast. Sammy Watkins Chiefs Jersey . With the Canadiens leading by one to start the third period, Price turned away 16 shots by the Panthers in the final frame to give Montreal a 2-1 victory over Florida on Monday night. The Panthers (16-21-6) outshot Montreal 16-10 in the final frame, but were repeatedly frustrated by Price, who made 26 saves on the night.The Winnipeg Goldeyes recorded their first sweep of the 2014 season on Sunday afternoon, as they were able to top the Lincoln Saltdogs in all three games the two teams played this weekend. The Goldeyes (7-3) ended their 10-game season opening road trip with a 6-4 win over the Saltdogs (4-6) in front of 2,941 fans at Haymarket Park. The sweep was the Goldeyes first three-game sweep at Haymarket Park since May of 2003. The Saltdogs opened the scoring in Sundays matchup in the bottom of the second, on an Ian Gac solo home run. The Goldeyes though were able to respond in the top of the third, with Ray Sadler hitting a home run of his own to tie the game. The home run was Sadlers team leading third of the season. "Its all about answering what they do at the plate," said Goldeyes Pitching Coach Jamie Vermilyea on the Jewel 101 Post-Game Show. "If they put up runs, we have to come right back out and do the same thing ourselves." The Fish extended their lead an inning later. Casey Haerther got on base on a Saltdogs error and then was driven in on an RBI single by Ryan Pineda. Then the Saltdogs tied it back up on a second home run from Gac in the bottom of the fourth. It remained tied until the top the sixth when the Goldeyes were able to score two on three hits. With two out, Haerther and Pineda both got on base on singles, and then Jordan Guida hit a two-run RBI double to bring them both home. "Hes only playing every three or four days, but when he gets in there hes geetting the job done getting us big hits, big RBIs," said Vermilyea of the rookie catcher Guida.dddddddddddd The Fish were led on the mound by starting pitcher Chris Salamida, who recorded his first win in three starts so far this season. Salamida was able to retire 21 of the 26 batters he faced on only 84 pitches. He struck out one and gave up no walks. "He put those past two starts behind him and he came out being aggressive, throwing strikes," Vermilyea said. "He did a heck of a job and turned it over to the bullpen with the lead." The Goldeyes went up by four in the top of the eighth. Reggie Abercrombie got on base on and then was driven in on a Donnie Webb RBI single — with the hit, Webb extended his hitting streak to eight games. Webb was brought home four batters later on a RBI single from Tyler Kuhn. The Saltdogs were able to muster two more runs in the bottom of the eighth, as Jon Gaston hit a two-run home run off of Taylor Sewitt. Sewitt was able to strike out the side though to end any further threat from Lincoln.Kyle Bellamy, who came in to pitch the ninth inning, earned the save. The loss was charged to Lincolns Nick Green. The Goldeyes now come home for their Home Opener. They will face the Sioux City Explorers at Shaw Park at 7 p.m. on Monday night. The expected pitching matchup will see Winnipegs Kyle Anderson (1-0) face Sioux Citys Patrick Johnson (0-1). The two teams will then play again on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Cheap Bills JerseysAuthentic Dolphins JerseysCheap Patriots StoreCyber Monday Jets JerseysCyber Monday Texans JerseysBlack Friday Colts JerseysCheap Jaguars JerseysCheap Titans StoreBlack Friday Broncos JerseysCheap Chiefs JerseysCheap Raiders JerseysAuthentic Chargers JerseysCheap Ravens StoreBlack Friday Steelers JerseysBlack Friday Cowboys JerseysCheap Giants StoreCheap Eagles StoreBlack Friday Redskins JerseysFalcons Jerseys OnlinePanthers Jerseys OnlineAuthentic Saints JerseysCheap Buccaneers JerseysAuthentic Cardinals JerseysBlack Friday 49ers JerseysBlack Friday Seahawks JerseysCyber Monday Rams JerseysBlack Friday Bears JerseysWholesale Lions JerseysPackers Jerseys OnlineAuthentic Vikings JerseysCyber Monday Bengals JerseysCyber Monday Browns Jerseys ' ' '