Making The Call: Retire #6

On Friday Yankees fans will be confronted with the strange sight of Joe Torre sitting in the opposite dugout wearing his familiar #6, but trying to bring a victory to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It will be the first time the Yankees play their former manager and the first time they face a manager who won a World Series for them since Billy Martin was managing the A’s in the early 80’s

Torre seems to be a figure the Yankees are trying to scrub out of their history. He was not included in the montage the Yankees showed at the final home game in 2008 (Chuck Knoblauch was) and he wasn’t invited to be part of any of the ceremonies involving the countdown to the closing of Yankee Stadium.

Yet, Torre managed the Yankees to four World Championships, six Pennants, ten Divisional titles and 1,173 wins in his 12 years with the team. He managed to do what no other manager in the Steinbrenner era accomplished; he isolated the players from the bluster and bombast of their owner. When Torre took over in 1996, Steinbrenner was still a force to be reckoned with, terrorizing and torturing employees and players in the pursuit of a title. Torre brought a calming influence to the clubhouse and allowed the guys who make up the “Core Four” to develop without the fear of being sent to Columbus.

Yes, his breakup with the team was ugly, but when are breakups pleasant? Both sides had grown tired of the other and emotions ruled the day. But, they have moved on professionally. The Yankees won their 27th championship and Torre has gone to the NLCS in both seasons he has managed the Dodgers.

It’s time to put an end to the bad blood and allow Joe to assume his rightful place in Yankees’ history. Hal Steinbrenner should announce before the first game on Friday that no other person will ever wear #6 for the Yankees again and when Joe Torre retires from the Dodgers, he will be honored on the field and welcomed back to the Yankee family.

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By Peter Trinkle in News on June 20, 2010 2:00 PM

Comments [rss]

whitecastlerock

Torre worked wonders in the Bronx, that '96 team was my favorite out of all of the ones he managed. When he retires from baseball they should retire his number-until then this is just pointless...

verbal

Bullshit - they should assign it to the next young prospect with some game. Yes 4 rings, but on balance he left much to be desired, and in the end he failed to advance to the playoffs. They didn't stiff him either, there was an offer and passed on it. If he had done so with a little more class then you can truly say he took the high road, but he didn't.

ANGRYGOD11

The Yankees' offer was such an insult Torre's only answer was to shove it. And that's exactly what the Yankees wanted. Why should he take the high road?

And please tell me the name of another active manager with 4 rings since you think it's so easy.

jaycjay

It's extremely rare to retire a jersey before the retirement of the person who wore it. So, it's entirely to early to make this decision or criticize the team for not having done it.

ides_of_march

The Yankee management is an absolute disgrace. What a bunch of petty, childish idiots.

coconutendo

+1

PKinNYC

#6 should be retired no doubt. Torre really deserves a plaque in Monument Park...I think these things will come to fruition once Joe leaves baseball. It is a fitting honor for a most deserving man. I hope the Yankees don't let this go on too long like they did to Yogi...seeing Yogi back in the stadium after such along time away is a most welcome sight. The Steinbrenners need to do this ASAP...while George is still around.