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Say It Ain't So, Joe
Yesterday Joe Torre announced that he would be back as the manager of the New York Yankees in 2007. I, for one, was shocked. Why in the world would he want to return to such a pathetic situation for another year?
Up until a few years ago I have always respected Torre as, first, a player and then as a manager. He was always able to avoid controversy, knew what to say to the media and he enjoyed success as the leader on the bench. However, with his failures over the last several years well documented, now was the time for George Steinbrenner to pull the plug on the leader of the worst team money can buy.
In a time when several teams on the major league level have rosters of minor league players and with the institution of the "wild card team," making the playoffs is no longer a big deal. And for a team of All-Stars like the Yankees, making the playoffs should be automatic. But Torre couldn't get his team of fat cats past the little Detroit Tigers, who were the laughing stock of the American League over the last two months of the season.
Through it all, whether winning or losing, whether scoring 17 runs against the Kansas City Royals or whether nearly getting a no-hitter thrown against them by the unknown Daniel Cabrera, Torre sat placidly in the dugout sucking his candies. When it was time to motivate, when it time to chide a player for not hustling, when it was time to encourage Robbie Cano after another error at second base, there sat Joe, staring into space, sucking his candy.
His post-game interview with Kim Jones on the YES Network became a recording, "We'll have to just put this behind us and play better tomorrow." Whether it was Jaret Wright being yanked in the third inning or another throwing error by A-Rod.
I wasn't surprised when the Tigers kicked the Yankees out of the playoffs. Anyone who follows the Yankees knows they consistently struggle to hit good pitching. They love to fatten up their stats against the minor league pitchers, but go down swinging against the toughies.
And everyone can say, "That's not Torre's fault." But the manager sets the tone in the clubhouse, on the bench and on the field. Watch Jim Leyland, the Tigers' manager, at work. Do you see him sitting down? His youngsters are hungry and so is he. He talks to players during the game, he yells, he moves around the bench, he shows emotion. I never once saw Leyland sucking a candy.
Even the great Yogi Berra and the great Casey Stengel moved on from their jobs as the Yankees' manager. Now was the time for Joe Torre, who, no doubt, will become a Hall of Famer. But no matter how many millions Uncle Georgie has spent over the past six years the Yankees haven't won the big prize. They are relegated to the old Dodgers' slogan, "Wait'll next year!"
It looks to me that without a motivator, a cheerleader, a manager more demanding, the Yankees' 2007 season will be a repeat of the past six, no matter what millionaire ballplayer they sign. Joe should have retired and started writing his next book or his Hall of Fame induction speech. I can't believe he'll be back as the Yankees' manager. Say it ain't so, Joe!
Comments
Like the "Old Timer" it is nice to see Bullet and "W" back on the blog. They were truly missed and I am sure welcomed back by the masses.
Nitzi's was a good Little League team but how about Dock & Coal and CV Loan. Many of you remember such stalwarts at Jeff Burns, Jimmy Carr, Bobby Redden, Tommy Pelkey, Mike Flynn, Joe Staves and of course the Gagnon Brothers. I had the wonderful opportunity while I was in high school to work with Shorty Flynn and Al Billups, two of the stalwart coaches of Little League in this area. Pete Sullivan and Gerald Burdo are two other names that jump into my mind when someone says little League.
Back in our days we did not have Little League we had the City of Plattsburgh Rec Dept. and the various playgrounds would play against each other and then we had the Clinton County leagues to play in. some of us were lucky enough to play in the Kiwanis Baseball Program,. that was like Americal Legion back in the 50's. The best was the pickup game at St. Peter's field with all of the guys from around the Montcalm Avenue area.
Posted by: Mike Mannix | October 13, 2006 11:54 AM
Yankee fans take note. Beware the curse of A-Rod. Remember that each time A-Rod was traded the team he left had a better record for the next few seasons. Curse of the Bambino is dead. Long live the curse of A-Rod.
Posted by: Rick K | October 11, 2006 7:39 AM
Foxy,
You have unleashed the demons, hang on. Oh yeah, right back at you does Nitzi's ring a bell?
Posted by: Bullet | October 11, 2006 7:29 AM
thought for sure they'd trade him to the red sox...
but I hear we're not allowed to discuss that topic! ... I like Mr. Torre, always have.. hey he's got 7,000,000 reasons to come back.
Glad to see "Bullet" back!
and I knew for sure "Old Timer" would have something to say about the Cliff Haven School. after all it's common knowledge he spent most of his summer nights teaching dance lessons out there ... don't know if you ever saw the movie "Dirty Dancing" if so, I hear "old Timer " played the part of the dance instructor. The camps were very similar except the Cliff Haven camp was the Catholic version of the movie ... in fact some say "Old Timer" was a stunt double in the movie!
Posted by: the carver | October 11, 2006 6:38 AM