Torre No Morre
The Yankees have lost the glue that has held them together for a long time now. Joe Torre is a class act and there aren’t many other managers who could have done as good a job as he did.
In a shocking result, Torre today turned down the Yankees $5 million, 1-year offer to return as the Yankees’ manager for his 13th season.
Torre was offered $5 million base package and another $1 million for each the division series, league series and the World Series.
“Joe torre turned that offer down today. We respect his decision. We respect everything he has done but it is now time to move forward,” Yankees’ President Randy Levine said.
“The goal of this franchise is to win the World Series. All of us get up everyday knowing that that is the goal. Unfortunately we have not met that goal for seven years. It’s nobody’s fault. All of us are in it together. All of us are responsible,” Levine said during a conference call today.
” Joe Torre is a legendary Yankees manager,” Levine said.
The surprise decision came after Torre flew to Tampa today to meet with the Steinbrenner family and the Yankee brass.
“Joe was very respectful, he was the dignified man he’s been since all of us have known him … he just declined the offer,” Levine said.
The Yankees aren’t going to waste any time looking for a new manager either.
The Yankees said a search for a successor is already underway. The list of candidates will almost certainly include bench coach and Yankee great Don Mattingly and 2006 N.L. Manager of the Year Joe Girardi.
“It is now time for the New York Yankees to move forward,” Yankees President Levine said. “We thought it was very fair. It clearly was at the top of the market, but we respect Joe’s decision.”
Girardi would be the best choice because he is an ex-Yankee, an ex-catcher, and an ex-manager of the year award winner. He is a young guy who will be around for a long time and, considering his resume, would have the respect of the players and management. Girardi might even be the saving grace for the Yankees in keeping talent in the Bronx.
Of course, I hope that doesn’t happen because my Angels need a shiny new third baseman who hits 40+ homers, 125+ RBIs, and has a 300+ AVG. A-Rod leaving New York would be a blessing for us because we need someone who can do something else then play small ball. Furthermore, we have a new GM and it is likely he would want to make as big of a splash as possible; that is unless he’s drank the Stoneman Kool Aid and wants to keep everything business as usual. BigT
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