Search
Feelin' Sorry for Torre
As you probably know, I'm not a Yankees fan. As you can probably guess, I'm not a Joe Torre fan. And I'm not a fan of the YES Network, except that I love the Mike & the Mad Dog Show and I watch the Yankees' games -- at least when they are losing.
I don't think Torre is the greatest Yankees' manager ever. In fact, last year in On the Sly, I called for his firing. I don't think he is a baseball strategist. I don't think he's enough of a motivator. I want a manager, no matter what the sport, who shows some fire sometimes. I seldom, if ever, saw that from Torre. But, make no mistake about it, the players loved him. He treated them like adults, never criticized them, and faced the reporters redundant questions night after night.
But I am a huge baseball fan and I can't believe how this self-proclaimed "greatest franchise in the history of baseball" has treated Joe Torre. It's not easy to defend a guy who just turned down a $5 million dollar job. It's hard to feel sorry for him. Heck, I would manage the Yankees for a lot less than that and give the reporters a lot more creative answers than Torre has given over the past twelve years.
Torre has been paid much more than any other big league manager. As baseball's longest-running manager, he deserved some of that big salary. The rest of the salary he deserved just for putting up with the New York media all those years. Let's see how his replacement reacts after a 10-0 loss to Toronto when beautiful Kim asks a dumb question. Or when some sports reporter from the Trenton Tribune questions the batting order or asks, "Why didn't you take Chamberlain out sooner?"
Through the years, managers such as Hal McRae, Ozzie Guillen, Lou Piniella and Earl Weaver have yelled at reporters, thrown them out of his office, thrown things and cussed like a 32nd Street hooker. Joe Torre never did that. Not once in twelve years in dealing with the New York media.
And, for getting his team into the playoffs twelve times out of twelve, Torre is offered a paycut. That's a throwback to the days of the Brooklyn Dodgers when outfielder Carl Furillo was offered a paycut because he didn't hit .300. He hit .297.
This is the same great Yankees franchise and ownership that abandoned Bernie Williams this spring, after the classy outfielder gave 16 seasons of productive baseball to the team. Both Bernie and Joe Torre belong in the Yankees' Hall of Fame of Classy Guys, but the Yankees' hierarchy sure doesn't.
I hope that the YES Network and public relations office will ease up a bit on their braggadocio about how great a franchise they are. If this is how they treat some of their finest, they are not an organization that I would want to be affiliated with.
This is the franchise that has by far the highest payroll over the last many years. And this is the franchise that hasn't been crowned World Series champs since 2000. One thing for sure: the 2008 baseball season will be an interesting one in New York for whoever is lucky enough to be Joe Torre's successor.
Comments
Hey Foxman: What does that loyal follower of the Yankees, Mike Mannix, think of this fiasco? He's been a Yankee fan since Hitler was in boot camp.
Posted by: Fred Forkey | October 22, 2007 6:00 PM
Foxy,
As I've watched the Yankee scenario play out, I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. I am a baseball fan period. I like great players and plays. The Yankees have been over the years my greatest interest. They have been the richest, spent the most money and statistically money usually comes out on top. Joe Torre has been an excellent manager, especially early in his 12 year career. Now, I don't think so. His teams have become complacent, lackadaisical and lack the intensity and hunger to finish the job. For Torre to call this offer from the Yankees an "insult" is not right. He should have accepted it and gone out and with all those players supporting him, kicked butt, and won the World Series next year. How many of us old ball players would change place with any major leaguer, coach or manager. Off the Soap Box
Bullet
(Foxy's note: Great to hear once again from Bullet, one of the Founding Fathers of the Blogoteers.)
Posted by: Bullet | October 22, 2007 3:18 PM
This is why the Red Sox don't ask me to fill out their lineup card for them. J.D. Drew was able to erase a season full of disappointment with 1 swing of the bat. One more and then on to Colorado--bring your snow shovels!!
Posted by: UPS Dave | October 21, 2007 6:48 PM
I think that it may have been time for Joe Torre to leave as Yankees manager, but the King Steinbrenner and his court of jesters, really showed how cruel big business, including baseball, can be, while attempting to make it look like they were doing what was best for Joe!! Everyone knew that they were going to get rid of Joe at the end of the season, and they made them look foolish to make an offer he would refuse!!
I feel sorry for the next manager, whomever they may be, because he will have big expectations, with instant results. I feel that it won't happen, no matter who is Joe's successor. For the ownership to think that a new manager will bring another World Series ring next year is a myth. I doubt the next manager will even make it through the next season!!! Even Donnie Baseball knows it is an impossible dream, and feels he won't try!
Posted by: sparcat | October 21, 2007 8:56 AM
Foxy,
Joe Torre was very wise to leave the Yankees.They are an aging and declining team.They had a great run. This is a case of it's better to leave a year too early than a year too late.
Whoever the Yankees hire as manager is walking into a team in transition.He will not be able to do anything right and will be under a 162 game microscope. Hank Steinbrenner is more of George than his brother Hal so expect many changes.
I have a prediction as to Joe's future. He will be managing the Mets in May 2008. Given their monumental collapse this year, Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya are on the hot seat.The Mets will probably struggle early and Joe will be brought in to replace Willie.
If Brian Cashman is fired by the Yankees next year, maybe he could replace Minaya. It could be an interesting 2008 in New York.
Craig Mathews
Posted by: Craig Mathews | October 20, 2007 8:28 PM
Let's put aside the dollar value of the contract for a moment and talk about what I see as the underlying sentiment--thanks for the past 12 years, but, what have you done for me lately? I think Joe deserves better than this and was correct when he said thanks, but no thanks. I think it is time for A-Rod to pack his bags and reunite w/Lou in Chicago and it is time for Donnie Baseball to put aside his respect for Joe and to pursue the managerial job.
As for Rick, the Sox took your advice and sat Coco in favor of Ellsbury. I hope that they also sit JD Drew in favor of Keilty. I am looking forward to 2 exciting games this weekend.
(Foxy's note: UPS Dave's lineup note was written just before JD Drew hit a Red Sox' first-inning grand slam!)
Posted by: UPS Dave | October 20, 2007 8:12 PM
As a Boston fan I am very pleased to see the Yankees are not bringing back Joe Torre. The old saying that you never appreciate what you have until it's gone fits quite well. Torre didn't bring in all the clowns and washed up losers to fill the holes. That falls onto the shoulders of Brian Cashman and the Tampa Tribe. No matter who George picks to replace Torre, he won't have the same class and certainly not the respect that Joe has earned over the years.
Who knows, if Terry Francona keeps sticking with Coco and Julio you might just see Joe and Alex together next year at the Fens.
Posted by: Rick K | October 20, 2007 10:08 AM
I have been a Yankee Fan for over fifty years and the soap opera continues. George wants to make sure the Red Sox & Indians don't get the Headlines in the N.Y. Post & News! Torre may not be the best manager! But does he pitch, hit or play the field! The players lost the playoffs not Torre! Wang got wacked! Clemens acted his age! Jeter had the worse playoff series of his career! #13 the league 2007 MVP STUNK! George has paid more money to unperforming players and got nothing in return! Joe gave him Four World Series Rings with Class and Dignity! Even the tough N.Y. Press liked and respected Joe Torre! He deserved a better ending! He could be The Manager of the Year! George remember #8 did not go back to the stadium for many many years! New Stadium and No Joe!
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | October 20, 2007 8:23 AM
I am a Yankee fan however, when you have the talent that Joe has and has had you don't have to be a great manager to win games and pennants. I for one am not sorry to see him go. Now let's get a real manager and go after Tony LaRussa, who I hear is available.
And that's all I got to say about that.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for being the brave first blogoteer on this one, Doc!)
Posted by: Doc | October 20, 2007 7:53 AM