This year, when the New York Yankees crumbled to the Cleveland Indians three games to one in the American League Division Series, their chance to win the World Series wasn’t the only thing they lost.
The team, considered a dynasty from 1996-2000, that then played nearly flawless baseball, just committed one of its biggest mistakes. They let Joe Torre, the man who led them to 12 play-off appearances, 10 division championships, six American League pennants and four World Series championships walk away from them with the chance of never managing again.
Honestly, how stupid can the Yankees’ front office be? How can they let this guy walk away like he did? Joe Torre is the face of New York Yankee baseball. He had more success in New York in 12 years than practically any other manager in history.
The Yankees’ “What have you done for me lately?” attitude really worked against them here. Joe Torre’s contract expired, and he was in negotiations to sign a new one. When the Yankees were down 0-2 in the ALDS, George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, came out publicly and said that if the Yankees failed to advance past the division series, then Torre would not return as the Yankees manager next year.
The Yankees ended up losing and, immediately, Torre’s job was in jeopardy.
First of all, how can you say something like that to a man who has done so much for your club? Show some class, Steinbrenner.
I understand that you’re pissed after Torre spoiled you with his success from 1996-2000, winning the World Series four out of those five years, but come on, if that doesn’t prove he knows how to win, then what does? Torre clearly isn’t going out there and throwing games. He’s respected among his players and feared among his competitors.
Steinbrenner asked Torre to come back, even though the Yankees didn’t advance past the ALDS. Torre was offered a 1 year, $5 million contract plus incentives.
If he accepted this offer, then he would be payed $5 million, and, if the Yankees made the play-offs, there was an extra $1 million bonus. If they made the American League Championship Series, another $1 million, and if they reached the World Series, an additional $1 million.
Torre had the chance to make up to $8 million next year, but he turned it down. Why? He felt disrespected by the Yankees front office, and rightfully so.
This new contract would have been a pay cut from his contract last year. In baseball, pay cuts are rare. They are the sign that talent and respect are diminishing.
Respect is a key issue here. The Yankees’ front office simply did not respect Joe Torre as a manager anymore. And what’s the point of incentives? They are used to help motivate underachieving managers to win.
Torre is a future hall-of-fame manager, and the fact that he was offered incentives to win was insulting to him.
The twist: the players respected Torre, so as he goes, others may as well. A manager is everything to some players. Certain players like a manager so much that they may only want to play for him and may follow him other places. Similarly, a player may also like a manager so much that he will refuse to go anywhere else as long as the manager is staying.
With Torre leaving, whether he manages again or not, it could greatly influence other Yankees to stay in New York or go elsewhere.
The Yankees’ biggest mistake was not giving Torre an offer he couldn’t refuse. It is not the Yankees’ fault if Alex Rodriguez struggles in the playoffs. But who’s paying the price for the players’ underachievement?
The man without a job now is, and the fans are, too. Who knows how a new manager is going to adapt to the style of New York baseball, or how his players will accept him?
There’s one thing for sure, and that is that Joe Torre is a great manager, one of the best of all time. But, he isn’t going to be around forever, and because of the selfish Yankees, they just let him walk away.
