I stayed up late and watched the entire game last night, and like most Yankee fans, I was disappointed that the Yanks weren’t able to eek out a win and continue the series. Somehow, this loss was more disappointing than most. I think it’s because it might be the end of an era. The Boss has said that if the Yankees didn’t win this series, that would be it for Joe Torre. And I’m afraid if Torre leaves, some good players will follow him out the door.
Torre has been the manager since this most recent dynasty started back in 1996. He has been the one constant on the team, through all of it’s changes in the years since. He’s handled the players–even those of considerable ability and ego–extremely well. He’s led the Yankees to 6 World Series appearances and 4 World Series victories. I think the team would be in for a tough time without him.
I also think that such a decision on Steinbrenner’s part adversely (and unfairly) affects the players and the fans.
Who would replace Torre? Can he be replaced? The only person that makes even remote sense is Don Mattingly. And even so, one wonders if Mattingly would garner the same kind of respect that Joe Torre had.
I don’t mean to take credit away from Cleveland. They played hard, they played well, the played better baseball, and they earned their spot in the ALCS. I will be rooting for them, with a heavy heart, through the rest of the post season. But it certainly won’t be as exciting as a Yankee/Red Sox series. And if the Yankees really do lose Joe Torre, who knows when the next time we’ll see the Yankees and Red Sox face each other in the post season. It might be a long, long time.
RSS - Posts