Joe Torre’s Imminent Firing
Mitchell Blatt
Torre Can’t Win in the Playoffs? Neither Could Shottenheimer.
You’ve probably seen this quote too many times by now, but here, for any of you who haven’t taken a glance at the sports section or turned on ESPN in the last few days, is George Steinbrenner’s quote regarding Joe Torre’s future: “His job is on the line. I think we’re paying him a lot of money ($7 million). He’s the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don’t think we’d take him back if we don’t win this series.”
What you may not have heard is that it would be ridiculous to fire Torre simply for not winning in the playoffs. Marty Shottenheimer couldn’t win in the playoffs either (for a longer time), and his firing has helped the Chargers go 2-3 this year. Different sports, but same point: making the playoffs with a proven manager is better than taking a gamble. Torre’s managerial record in New York probably won’t be reproduced by his successor, whether he is fired after this season or later.
1,173-767. .605 winning percentage. Four World Series Championships. 12 straight division titles from 1998-2006. You can complain about the Yankees payroll, say that is why Torre has been so good, but keep in mind that the Red Sox, with the MLB’s second highest payroll, are the team that Torre has continuously defeated for all 13 of his division titles.
The Sox are on the rise now, so it would be a shame to get rid of Torre for someone of less ability and have the Yankees faulter while the Sox continue to rise.
As it is, you can never be too sure of when Torre will be fired. Stienbrenner is famous for putting his managers on notice, so there is no way to ascertain how real this threat is.
What do you think? Post your opinion in the comment section.
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