Joe must go ... back to work
Boss holds fire, demands ire
BY SAM BORDEN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
All it takes is one timely phone call from The Boss to put smile back on face of Joe Torre.
Joe Torre will return as Yankees manager in 2007 and, if it's possible, there will be even more pressure on him than in the past.
George Steinbrenner informed Torre in a telephone call just before 1 p.m. yesterday that he still was employed and shortly thereafter released a statement that made it clear another year without a championship might change that. The Boss said it was "about time" for the Bombers' six-year World Series drought to end and put much of the onus on Torre.
"He gave me his support," Torre said. "I'm just pleased I'm able to stay on and do this."
Shortly after the Bombers were eliminated by the Tigers on Saturday, sources told the Daily News that Steinbrenner decided to fire Torre and replace him with Lou Piniella, but then reconsidered after several days of pondering. He spelled out in his statement what he expects from Torre as the manager enters the final year of his current contract, which will pay him $7 million.
"I spoke to Joe Torre today and I told him, 'You're back for the year. I expect a great deal from you and the entire team,'" Steinbrenner said through his spokesman, Howard Rubenstein. "I have high expectations and I want to see enthusiasm, a fighting spirit and a team that works together. The responsibility is yours, Joe, and all of the Yankees."
Steinbrenner then added, "Yes, I am deeply disappointed about our loss this year, we have to do better. And I deeply want a championship. It's about time."
Despite having a 15-20 minute phone conversation with Steinbrenner on Monday (which he described as positive), Torre arrived at the Stadium yesterday still unsure about his future. He even brought with him a friend, Arthur Sando, who is a veteran communications/PR executive and was going to organize and run a press conference - ostensibly off-site - for Torre if he was let go.
As it turned out, that wasn't necessary. Steinbrenner called GM Brian Cashman, who passed the phone to Torre moments before the manager stepped into a Yankee-run press conference to announce he was staying.
"He requires a lot," Torre said of Steinbrenner. "He expects a lot. We know that. You can't pick and choose the parts you like about working for George Steinbrenner. You have to understand the whole package."
Torre's wife, Ali, joined him for yesterday's announcement and said, "It's more fun to win. When you don't win, there's drama. I'm happy that things are settled."
The drama began shortly after the Yanks' Saturday ouster in Detroit - a series in which Torre made several controversial decisions, including using Gary Sheffield at first base, keeping Melky Cabrera on the bench and dropping Alex Rodriguez to sixth (and then eighth) in the lineup. Steinbrenner's initial reaction to the defeat was to remove Torre since the Bombers had been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the third time in five years.
After the Daily News on Sunday reported Steinbrenner's feelings (and numerous other outlets issued similar stories a day later), Torre was overwhelmed by the reaction and the amount of media camped outside his Westchester home looking for comment.
Steinbrenner, meanwhile, had stepped back from his initial intentions and was in New York soliciting opinions from his top executives. It's believed that Derek Jeter reached out to Steinbrenner to defend Torre, and Cashman also spoke in favor of retaining the manager who has won 10 AL East titles and four Word Series championships since being hired in 1996.
"The process of analyzing all of us is fair for George Steinbrenner to do," Cashman said. "He invests a lot in us.... There's an expectation at some point of some deliverance. Personally, I'm happy. I think Joe Torre is the right man for the team (next) year and I certainly voiced that in conversations (with Steinbrenner)."
A year ago, Torre went through a similar week of uncertainty following the Yanks' elimination at the hands of the Angels, but on that occasion he was the one making the decision. The 2005 season had been excruciating because his relationship with Steinbrenner had grown abrasive; after a heart-to-heart in Tampa, however, Torre agreed to stay on.
This year, it was Steinbrenner's choice.
"I think George is smart; he's a wise man," Ali Torre said. "He knows he has a good leader. It's understandable that he was angry and upset, because everyone was."
Torre included. He admitted to being particularly stunned after the Yanks' collapse in Games 2-4 against the Tigers and soon will begin meetings with Cashman and other baseball operations officials about what needs to be fixed for next year.
Pitching will be a top priority, and there surely will be discussions about Alex Rodriguez and his ability to succeed in New York.
At 66, Torre doesn't know how much longer he will manage and said he isn't sure if he'll even want to continue after next season. After 11 years with the Bombers, however, he's come to realize the best way to approach the future.
"When you work here," he said, "you have to understand that every year may be your last year."
Torre time line
Saturday
Yankees complete collapse against Tigers in division series in embarrassing Game 4 rout, 8-3, at Comerica Park. George Steinbrenner is furious and sources tell Daily News that The Boss likely will fire Torre and, hopefully, hire Lou Piniella to replace him. Torre chokes up at postgame press conference but then composes himself. Brian Cashman said he doesn't see why Torre wouldn't be back in 2007 but admits there are people above him in organization who make the final decision.
Sunday
Daily News story appears and Torre's status becomes a national issue. Numerous other media outlets publish similar stories suggesting that Torre's 11-year run as manager is about to end. Large group of reporters begins camping outside Torre's Westchester home seeking comment but Torre stays quiet. Several players and coaches who show up at Yankee Stadium to clean out their lockers support Torre in interviews.
Monday
Torre and Steinbrenner have a 15-20 minute phone conversation in which Torre tells Steinbrenner to go ahead and make a change "if you feel in your heart" it is the right thing to do. Steinbrenner also talks to his top executives about what to do and it's believed Derek Jeter may have reached out to speak up for Torre. Steinbrenner leaves Regency Hotel in the afternoon and returns home to Tampa to ponder Torre's fate.
Yesterday
Torre arrives at Stadium in late morning along with a friend, Arthur Sando, who is a veteran communications/PR executive. Sando will run a press conference for Torre if he is fired. But Torre speaks to Steinbrenner on the phone around 12:45 p.m. and is told that he'll return as manager in 2007. Torre then goes into crowded Yankees press conference to announce the decision and take questions. Steinbrenner issues statement saying it's "about time" Yanks end World Series drought and puts much of the responsibility on Torre.
Originally published on October 11, 2006
