It seems borderline unthinkable to ask the question, at least to me, but both the New York Times and the New York Post reported today that if the Yankees lost their last two games to the Red Sox this weekend, manager Joe Torre's neck would be on the proverbial chopping block. The good news for Torre? The Yanks are up 3-0 in the seventh inning on the Sox today, an April game which now seems really important, thanks to Torre's vulnerability.
Whether or not the Yanks lose today, and whether or not they lose again tomorrow, it's hard for me to see the sense in letting Torre go. Managers, for the most part, have less effect on the game than we all think. Torre's main strengths come from navigating an incredibly demanding front office and a chomping-at-the-bit media corps, while at the same time keeping his sanity and keeping the well-oiled Yankees machine running.
The problem is, at least so far, is that the Yanks aren't so well-oiled this year. The offense has been good-to-above average, as usual, but the pitching has been so scattershot it's been nearly impossible for the Yankees to defend a lead. As much as we like to focus on the manager as the centerpiece of the team, sorry; that's not Torre's fault. That can be blamed on injuries, and on the lack of talent in the Yanks' farm system. How is that Torre's fault again?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-28-2007 @ 9:31PM
Paul E Taylor Jr said...
Torre should be fired!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!!
He keeps putting in MR CHOKE himself Mariano Rivera.
Even though Rivera got credit for a save, he almost blew it again. What else is new. JUST REMEMBER WORLD SERIES 2001 GAME 7!!!!!!!!!! BLOWN SAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
DIAMONDBACKS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW ABOUT 2005, YANKS UP 3 GAMES TO 0 ALL THIS MORON NEEDS TO DO IS GET THE FINAL 3 OUTS FAILS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FIRE HIM, SHIP HIM BACK FROM WHERE HE CAME THE YANKEES WILL BE A BETTER TEAM WITHOUT TORRE AND RIVERA
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4-29-2007 @ 12:18AM
George B Vieto said...
If Joe Torre gets fired by George Steinbrenner it is because it is easier to fire the captain of the ship instead of the sailors of the USS Yankees. And about Mariano Rivera going to his home, he will go when he decides to and when a fair weather fan says so. Nobosy's perfect in save situations.
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4-29-2007 @ 6:25AM
buddy said...
IF THEY FIRE JOE THERE ON CRACK, HE'S THE BEST SINCE JOE MCARTHY.TELL THE PLAYERS TO GET OFF THERE ASSES.STOP BELITTLING THE PLAYERS AND LET THEM PLAY .MATTINGLY SHOULD STEP DOWN HE WOULD SUCK AS A MANAGER.
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4-29-2007 @ 9:23PM
fdcap said...
Joe is out of gas, and has been the past 3 years. Gone is the strategist who early on in his Yankee management could come up with the unexpected strategy/play to win games or keep others on their toes. No more, check him out in the dugout - no emotion, no plan, no action -- no gas. And, along with Torre Cashman needs to go. Bad trades for too long have left the Yankees with big bucks and no production, i.e. Randy Johson (now gone), Carl (useless) Pavano, Mike Meyers plus others who are now gone. Plus not bringing Bernie Williams back for 1.5 million -- absolute stupidity. Pitching, yes the Yanks are without it this year (even worse then last year) -- up front and in relief. All this, Torre, Cashman and 33% of the pitching staff should go. Bring back Bernie. And maybe, just maybe, its time for Steinbrenner to sell of the team to younger much more agressive management. George has not done the past 3 years (2 for sure) what is needed to make this a pitcher's team with dynamic management and a dynamic front office.
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4-29-2007 @ 9:26PM
fdcap said...
Joe is out of gas, and has been the past 3 years. Gone is the strategist who early on in his Yankee management could come up with the unexpected strategy/play to win games or keep others on their toes. No more, check him out in the dugout - no emotion, no plan, no action -- no gas. And, along with Torre Cashman needs to go. Bad trades for too long have left the Yankees with big bucks and no production, i.e. Randy Johson (now gone), Carl (useless) Pavano, Mike Meyers plus others who are now gone. Plus not bringing Bernie Williams back for 1.5 million -- absolute stupidity. Pitching, yes the Yanks are without it this year (even worse then last year) -- up front and in relief. All this, Torre, Cashman and 33% of the pitching staff should go. Bring back Bernie. And maybe, just maybe, its time for Steinbrenner to sell of the team to younger much more agressive management. George has not done the past 3 years (2 for sure) what is needed to make this a pitcher's team with dynamic management and a dynamic front office.
Reply
4-29-2007 @ 10:40PM
docpey said...
Here is the scenario. This is Joe's final year no matter what. If he wins the W.S. he goes out a hero. If he doesn't win it he gets the axe. But what is important to remember is that The Yanks want Donnie Baseball as his successor. But they have to be careful because they could never fire arguably one of the most popular yankees. So here's what they do. They can Torre's ass soon and appoint Don Mattingly as the "interim" mgr. He finishes the year and if they like what they see, they rehire him as the permanent skipper. And if he sucks, they hire someone else (sorry, you can't have willie randolph) and Mattingly goes back to the bench, no harm, no foul. He was only an interim anyways.
So BYE, BYE JOE!!!!!
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4-30-2007 @ 8:08AM
uncbmw said...
The Yankees and Yankees fans must realize how much better we were when joe torre had don zimmer to go too
we really need some great pitching...so stop the BS
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4-30-2007 @ 7:33PM
Alan said...
The Yankees are the best, Everyone should back off, and all would come back, like always, the Yanks will be#1
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