Thread: Joe Torre

2007-10-21 07:40:29

I am a big fan of Joe(and Frank) Torre but please do not paint Torre as a victim. When you are almost twice the salary of the next highest man in your job you are not a victim . He did lead the Yankees to 4 championships and 12 of 13 playoffs. But the fact is they are not built to win the series this year or 2008. Maybe in 2009 they might win(assuming they resign Posada, A-rod and Mariano and get Nathan and Vlad in 2009. )but probbably not before then.
The problem is who replaces Torre ? Mattingly was a great player(had he played longer he would have been a HOF candidate.) but a manager ? Girardi might not mix witht the vets and the younger players. LaRussa is just looking for a big pay check not for a commitment. Tony Pena has little experience but may be the short-term solution.
When I was young I liked the (Milwaukee) Braves. Frank Torre was the second-string firstbaseman(behind Joe Adcock) and a defensive stalwart.The story is that Joe was coming up the ranks and told Frank he wanted to be a shortstop or centerfielder. Frank told JOe he was too fat and slow to play anything else but catcher.