I wasn't going to say anything about Joe Torre leaving the Yankees, honestly there wasn't much to add to what was already out there......until I picked up the NY Post this morning. In an exclusive interview with Hank Steinbrenner, Baby Boss (sorry will) has the nerve to tell the public he thought the offer was "fair" and he hoped Torre would take it. The story goes on to say the the younger Steinbrenner has an MBA and was picked to make the offer because of his "financial background."
A few quick points here - 1) The Yankees spend $200 million a year on players, including paying 45 year old Roger Clemens $3 million a win this season. You mean to tell me this was a financial decision? Please, I'm an idiot, but I'm not that dumb.
2) Regardless of the financial structure of the deal, the problem with it is the message it sends to the players, and that message is - the man that is supposed to lead you has been neutered. A pay cut is an embarrassing slap in the face to Torre, and a one year offer tells the world you are a dead manager walking. NO PROFESSIONAL SPORT offers coaches or managers one year deals - why? Because it sends the message to the players that management does not believe the coach can get the job done. If management doesn't believe in the coach, the players won't either.
What the Steinbrenner's should have done was made a clear cut desicion, if they wanted Torre back, offer him 2 years, at $13-$14 million. If they were ready to move on, just not make an offer at all. One year, at less pay says "we don't believe in you, we don't think you are the guy." Good for Joe Torre, walking away was the right move.
What the Steinbrenner's should have done was made a clear cut desicion, if they wanted Torre back, offer him 2 years, at $13-$14 million. If they were ready to move on, just not make an offer at all. One year, at less pay says "we don't believe in you, we don't think you are the guy." Good for Joe Torre, walking away was the right move.
The fact that the younger Steinbrenner doesn't understand this should give Yankee fans a huge reason to be concerned. We can only hope he's not the second coming of Jimmy Dolan. Of course since I hate the Knicks, I find Dolan wildly entertaining - and if you want more, read this story in NY Magazine from a few years ago, it's pretty insane.
On a totally unrelated note, New England is ahead of Miami 42-7 at the half - and the Miami Dolphins are in talks to be the 9th member of the Big East.
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