News that Joe Torre and the Yankees could not strike a deal did not come as a shock. “The Boss” had made it pretty clear that he was intending on getting rid of Torre if the Yanks did not advance beyond the series with the Indians. Nothing that Steinbrenner does, ever makes much sense so painting Torre as a loser after a stellar run as manager of the greatest franchise in baseball history seemed the status quo. The only way this could have ended well for Torre was if he’d managed to win the series and then told George to take the gig and choke on it anyway. I was really rooting for the team to go all the way just so that Joe would have had a chance to do that very thing. Sure the Yanks offered him a contract but it was a slap in the face and really all they wanted to do was put Joe in the position of having to pull the trigger. They knew an out and out firing would not sit well with the fans.
I for one would like to thank Joe Torre for the part he played in providing a lot of years of excitement for we fans of the Yanks. They can say that he was too laid back, that he’d lost his desire or whatever else it is that can be offered up as proof that it was time that this happened… I don’t care. For twelve years you could bank on one thing… extra games at the end of the season. People think that a huge payroll means you should be there every year. People think that it should be easy to win with a team like that… I say bull. If anything it seems that it might take more to motivate a clubhouse full of celebrity millionaires to give a damn. They’re getting paid regardless… they’re in NY… they’ve made it. How hungry can they still be? So Joe, I offer a heartfelt thanks… God help the next bastard that has to come in and compete with your record!
