My Mind on Shuffle

***Note: Today’s news is that Torre is sticking around for another year.  Of course, that could change again by this afternoon.  Either way, I agree with the tone of this piece, whether they boot him today, tomorrow or when his contract runs out in a year.*** 

Let me preface this by noting that I am a huge Red Sox fan.  That being said, not being raised as a Sox fan, I still hold a lot of respect for certain aspects of the Yankees organization.  Most notably: their history, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Torre.

The big news this morning was that Joe Torre was being fired in favor of Lou Piniella.  I have lots of problems with this.*

Let’s start with the lesser problem first.  Granted the Yankees lost in the first round of the playoffs this year.  Granted they have a payroll that exceeds the GNP of Africa (as a whole).  However, they did spend the vast majority of the season minus two of their best five hitters** (Sheffield and Matsui).  Yes, they were back for the playoffs, but really, how much can you expect from guys that missed 85% of the regular season with wrist injuries?***  Despite this, the Yankees were still the first team to clinch a post-season berth****.  People love to give Jeter the credit for that when discussing the AL MVP, but seriously how about a little credit for the guy who fills out the lineup card every day and is, you know, in charge of the freaking team.  Let’s face it, when those guys went down, a lot of people (myself included) were gleefuly envisioning the Yankees finishing not only out of the race, but a distant third(ish) in their division.  Instead they went out and smoked everyone with the likes of Melky Cabrera and Bernie Williams patrolling the outfield on a regular basis.

Here’s the bigger issue I have: Joe Torre is the best manager in baseball and has been for about ten years now.  The only other guy I put in the conversation is Bobby Cox.*****  No one else has been nearly as successful for nearly as long a stretch.  Lots of managers have had great years (Ozzie Guillen last year, as much as I hate to admit it; Joe Girardi this year with the Marlins; etc.).  Joe Torre has had the Yankees in World Series contention for as long as I can remember.  And don’t try talking to me about talented players / payroll.  People tried that with Phil Jackson, too.  Talent alone doesn’t win games (just ask Knicks fans).

At any rate, I think it’s a shame for Torre to go out like this.  He deserved to leave that team on his own terms.

On the other hand, seeing the manager responsible for giving up on the Devil Rays and perennially underachieving with the Mariners in pinstripes is kind of exciting.

*However, having Piniella out of the discussion of who’s replacing Dusty Baker I love.  That definitely wouldn’t have been a good choice.  Joe Girardi and Joe Torre are now my choices 1a and 1b for the Cubs.

**This list includes, in no particular order, Jeter, Sheffield, Matsui, Rodriguez and the new and HGH-improved Giambi.

***Correct answer: not much.  Although moving Sheff to first may be a revelation along the lines of Nomar’s shift in LA.  He’s naturally a good defensive player, but starting to slow down.  Plus that means we only have to watch Giambi bat.  This could extend the life of the current Yankees lineup for another three years  (sorry Andy Phillips).  Again, as a Red Sox fan, I don’t know how exciting that is.  But it’s clearly good for the Yankees.

****That may very well be a complete lie.  I do know it was either them or the Mets.

*****Fuck Tony LaRussa.  LaRussa is the most overrated manager of all time.  I could write an entire post on that one.