The Yankees continue to let Joe Torre twist in the wind this morning almost 48 hours after losing a Division Series that George Steinbrenner said he had to win in order to keep his job. If he wants to fire the man after a dozen years of success that's his right but he should just do it band-aid style and treat Torre with the respect he deserves after that kind of service. Fat chance of that, I guess, since, if rumors are to be believed, the guy he'd like to replace Torre with is a master of letting people cool their heels waiting for a decision.The Daily News reported yesterday and today that the team is interested in hiring Tony La Russa to be their new manager. Pat Lackey reported on these pages yesterday that La Russa is refusing to make a quick decision about returning to the Cardinals after Walt Jocketty's tenure as GM ended. Whether its genuine interest or leverage so the Cards hire someone to his liking, the Yankee job will probably play a role in his decision.
It says here that La Russa is dead wrong for the Yankee job.
He had a terrible relationship with the media in St. Louis, a one-newspaper town where the Cardinals are beloved, and a thin skin would not serve him well in the maelstrom that whoever replaces Torre will be met with. Bernie Miklasz, a leading columnist at that one newspaper, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, called La Russa's paranoia "Nixonian" and expressed some doubts about La Russa's ability to succeed in New York.
"He wants to control and micromanage every aspect of what he believes to be his responsibility. That's really not a knock, it's his style, and he has been successful with it. But if he freaked out over his inability to control the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, how would he deal with New York?"If you wanted the anti-Torre you've got him in La Russa. This is a guy who warned reporters not to look into Josh Hancock's death because he wanted the coverage of it to be "sweet." A guy who freaked out because the St. Louis paper wrote a poem that mocked the Cubs, not his team mind you, for being lovable losers. Torre detractors point to his in-game managerial skills as his biggest failing, just wait until you see La Russa's self-aggrandizing lineup machinations that mostly serve to remind people that he's some kind of genius. And when Big Stein turns on him, do you think he'll handle it with the calm composure of Torre?
Peter Abraham of the LoHud Yankees Blog put it best.
If the idea is to start over, La Russa would be an excellent choice. Because half the players will be lining up to looking to start over someplace else. So would the GM.The only people who wouldn't be upset would be the sportswriters who would have a field day tearing La Russa apart and watching him react like a spoiled baby.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-10-2007 @ 11:34AM
john dicapua said...
GIRARDI WITH MAZZILLI IS MY KNEE JERK RESPONSE
GIRARDI WITH BOWA, MAZZILLI 3RD BASE COACH
IS MY FINAL ANSWER !
ENUFF SAID ...
NEED SOME FIRE IN THE DUGOUT
JOE TORRE HAS NOT DONE THE JOB ---
YANKEES JOB IS TO GET TO THE WORLD SERIES
AND THE OWNER SAYS WIN IT EVERY YEAR !
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 11:40AM
andy said...
It is most unfortunate that Torre is not getting the proper credit for his class and baseball acumen.
Not sure who should be the next manager but he has some big shoes to fill.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 11:50AM
maria said...
blaming torrez. thats not fear.i think everybody has something to do with the yankees losing in the 5 games playoffs.if you going to fire tores do it with class he deserve that .iam a yankee fan an d losing or winning does not me.or my opinions.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 12:15PM
JD said...
Torre was and always will be a bad on field manager. What happened after Zimmer left. The players love him sure, he is a nice guy. Get Girardi, and get him fast. Clarabell could manage that talent.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 12:19PM
branford said...
how's this
joe girardi -manager
roger clemens -pitching coach
mattingly-batting coach
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 12:39PM
roah860 said...
Tony LaRussa is a proven winner in both leagues, and will manage for a lot less than 7.5 mil a year.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 12:43PM
Dan said...
Tony would not do well with a boss like Steinbrenner, and all his money will not change that.Torre can laugh all the way to the bank, Tony doesn't need the aggravation.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 1:25PM
Bernie Chapnick said...
If Torre has to go then do it with dignity and be as much of gentleman as he is. I am a third gneration Yankee Fan, winning is nice and losing can be tolerated. Ifit needs to don "Replacing Torre_Than at least look with in the organization. Giradi, Mattingly or one of the bench coaches will be more than acceptable. George, be a person.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 3:34PM
Robert Toledo said...
I say ex-yankee Joe Girardi would be great ex-catcher who kept marlins in contention all year in 2006 only to get fired,and winning manager of the year with a bunch ok kids.Tony Pena second choice the same as Joe Girardi.Larry Bowa fiery manager ala Lou Piniella.I would love Mattingly but lack managerial expierience.
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 5:39PM
eazis1 said...
STEINBRENNER SHOULD BE THE ONE TO RETIRE AND SELL
Reply
10-10-2007 @ 6:27PM
mastroauctions said...
Guys wake up. Joe Torre is not being fired. He is just not being re signed. Just like when your lease is not renewed you did not get evicted.
Reply
10-11-2007 @ 1:27PM
Ric Roe said...
Top 10 Reasons George Should Fire Joe Torre
10) Forgot to order larger trophy case for the new stadium.
9) 12 Seasons of respect for the manager by players, fans, and the media is enough.
8) Yankee brass is tired of waiting for tell all bookto find out about the inner workings of the team.
7) The sooner he is gone, the sooner he will be eligible for the hall of fame.
6) Wants to give A Rod, Posada, and Rivera an excuse to sign elsewhere.
5) "What the hell, he will come back when I call, just like Billy did".
4) Wants to see over paid players under peform for someone else for a change.
3) Tired of hearing Girardi's arms flapping in the background during YES broadcasts.
2) There won't be room for this many fans in the new ballpark anyway.
1) Revolving door for New Yankee Stadium managers office already been delivered.
Reply
10-11-2007 @ 1:45PM
Ralph Garcia said...
I hope this is not history repeating itself as I'm a Yankee fan in Miami,Florida. In 1964, the Yankees fired Yogi Berra as manager as they lost the world series to the Cardinals. They replaced Berra with Cardinals manager Johnny Keane. Keane did not have a sense of humor and was a very dour man. Two years later, the Yankees finished in last place because of Keane. LaRussa was caught driving after drinking in Jupiter, Florida during spring training. What pressure did LaRussa have on him as he won the world series the previous year? NONE! Imagine the pressure LaRussa will face in the spotlight of the big Apple. I hope he's not another Ed Whitson or worse yet(gulp!) Johnny Keane. I hope Yankees GM Brian Cashman will look over carefully and give input to STeinbrenner. I say the future is in better hands with Joe Girardi, who almost took the hapless Marlins to the wildcard in 2006.
Reply
10-11-2007 @ 2:13PM
Curtis J said...
I find it very strange that with all this Yankee talk of a new manager that Tony Pena's name has not surfaced. He did win mgr of the year a few yrs back. OH I FORGOT HE'S NOT WHITE ENOUGH!!!!! Thank you fans for all your support.
Reply
10-11-2007 @ 2:33PM
klaus lueke said...
enough already,let arod go,invest the money and rebuild with hungry young players.torre should leave on his own with respect.
Reply