Update: Oreo, Dog Thrown Off Building, Was Euthanized
People Wait For Tomorrow's UWS Apple Store Opening
Cheap Chicken Wing Deal Ruined by Gunslinging Teens
FIT Students Busted For Drug Dealing Get Probation
Views From Your Windows
The reports of George Steinbrenner’s demise may have been exaggerated. In an interview with Ian O'Connor, Steinbrenner showed the fire that longtime fans of the Yankees are used to. While it wasn’t punching out someone in an elevator, this was a classic motivational ploy from the Steinbrenner textbook - win or the manager is gone.
Of course all of this ignores the fact that the Yankees are lucky to have even made the playoffs. Teams that start 21-29 and are still under .500 on the 4th of July usually don’t play in October. But, this year’s team recovered from a disastrous start and a lot of the credit has to go to Joe Torre. Yes, Torre will never be considered a brilliant tactician and his handling of the bullpen can drive you nuts, but there is nobody better at handling New York. Torre is from New York, Steinbrenner just pretends to be. He managed and played for the Mets and he understands all the distractions that the city creates.
And, it’s not as if there are a ton of great managers looking for jobs. Don Mattingly has never managed on any level, why would he be better than Torre? Joe Girardi did a nice job in Florida, but he also burned out the arms of several young pitchers. Is that who you want handling Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain next year? Tony LaRussa may be unemployed soon, but does he have the temperament for this job?
But that’s not the way George’s mind works. He wants another ring and there will be severe consequences unless he gets it. It is that type of thinking that plunged the organization into mediocrity in the 80’s and early 90’s, a period they only recovered from when Steinbrenner was banished from baseball and Gene Michael rebuilt the farm system. Brian Cashman has started to repeat that process and leaving him and Joe Torre alone would be the prudent move. This season may not end with a parade, but the Yankees are a better team with Joe managing and the four championships he has already won should provide him with a lifetime of job security.
Photo of George Steinbrenner arriving at Yankee Stadium prior to Sunday's game by AP/Julie Jacobson
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
tweet this
post to facebook
diehard yankee fan to set the record straight.
george owns this team and can run it any way he sees fit, and can respond to the criticism of fans accordingly. over the 30 years he has owned the team he has matured, but still has an ego that is massive. he is obviously older and less capable/inclined to mix it up on a day to day basis.
torre has achieved some great things in ny, and like any manager has had plenty to be second guessed about.
now the way this works is simple; baseball is a business. you cannot hold the yankees to a higher standard because you don't like that they make and spend more money than other teams. they follow the same rules set down by mlb, and without prejudice seek one thing - to win a championship. ANY team that plays in this league and does not hold that as their one and only purpose is actually corrupt and should be sanctioned - they are the ones hurting the game.
players - get paid what someone is willing to pay, can't blame them for taking the money. if they suck or come up short - don't re-sign them. their job is to play their very best and do what's asked of them by the manager.
managers - get paid to move the pieces around and win. if their strategies fail them termination is not unwarranted.
torre - he's a good man and deserves respect, but like cashman said - tomorrow's not guaranteed for anyone.
The Yankees scored 968 runs and gave up 777. They aren't "lucky" to be playing now by any stretch of the imagination.
Steinbrenner's an egomaniac, but the above is a hatchet job on his story. His "type" of thinking was novel when free agency was granted and pushed New York to the Series in '76, '77, '78, and '81.
He managed and played for the Mets and he understands all the distractions that the city creates.
Come on, get serious.
Are we sure it's George who's been telling Torre he's angry, or is it his PR person Howard Rubenstein?
george can do whatever he wants. he is the boss. if torre doesnt like it, he can quit
blah blah blah
Sucks to be a Yankees fan ;)
Check out the video of them losing:
http://the1opinion.blogspot.com/2007/10/yankees-lose-to-indians-joe-torre-out.html