The New York Yankees defeated the Kansas City Royals on Friday night to give Joe Girardi his 500th win as the team's manager.

"I've been blessed to have this opportunity," Girardi said. "As a child, you dream about playing in the big leagues. I don't know if you dream about managing, but as I got older, it was something I really wanted to do. I got a great opportunity."

Girardi reached the milestone in his 844th game as Yankees skipper, one fewer than Billy Martin, also joining Casey Stengel, Joe McCarthy, Joe Torre, Miller Huggins and Ralph Houk in the exclusive club.