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Jeter releases statement on Torre

Peter Abraham
October
23

Derek Jeter just released this statement on Joe Torre:

“Out of my great respect for Mr. Torre, I have refrained from comment until he had a chance to address the public.

“In my eyes, Joe Torre is more than a Hall of Fame manager. He is a friend for life, and the relationship we have shared has helped shape me in ways that transcend the game of baseball. His class, dignity, and the way he respected those around him – from ballplayers to batboys – are all qualities that are easy to admire, but difficult to duplicate.

“I have known Mr. Torre for a good majority of my adult life, and there has been no bigger influence on my professional development. It was a privilege to play for him on the field, and an honor to learn from him off the field.”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 5:36 pm by Peter Abraham.
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70 Responses to “Jeter releases statement on Torre”

  1. InsertNewSN

    Wow. Thats breathtaking. Seriously.

  2. Chris NY

    Just the kind of class and respect you’d expect from Jeter. Gotta wonder how strange it’s going to be for him to play for someone else…

    But the question is, who holds Jeter’s bat while he’s in the field now that Torre’s gone?

  3. migames

    spoken like a true capt’ now if only he hadnt hit into 3 DPs

  4. BPT

    Now that is class. Very well stated Mr. Jeter.

  5. Phil - 27 in '08

    Good stuff from the Captain.

  6. Brendon

    i agree chris….i’m glad he didn’t come out bashing the front office. i say jeter puts the bat in his back pocket like manny does with water bottles.

  7. Donna

    Bravo, Derek. Now maybe the media will leave you the hell alone.

  8. J-Dawg

    And that’s where the Captain stands on the entire matter. I liked the parts about Joe having class and dignity. Nice, classy sendoff from Jeter for Torre and now we can transition to finding out who Jete’s next manager will be.

  9. Gayle

    Great statement, well crafted without getting into all the other issues surrounding this.

    I am sure the next time we will see or hear from The Captain is when they introduce the new manager at the Stadium

  10. tony fernandez

    bla,bla bla, another earth shattering statement from Jeter.

  11. Anthony

    Why is Jeter constantly so boring?

  12. Lauren

    Oh Captain my Captain.

  13. #9

    OK statement. Would have been great if he finished it with:

    “Randy Levine blows! Thank you.”

  14. Larry Jaffe

    Mr. Jeter also has class giving Mr. Torre his respect and gratitude and making himself ready for then next Yankee era.

  15. J-Dawg

    It’s also nice to know that Derek remembered Torre’s last name. I kind of had a few doubts since Derek always called him “Mr. T.” :)

  16. #9

    “Why is Jeter constantly so boring?”

    That’s how Mr. Torre taught him to be.

  17. Col

    Jeter could be a politician by the way he talks.

  18. Donna

    #9,

    Didn’t your mother ever teach you about stating the obvious? LOL

  19. Anthony

    Anyway. Onto more interesting news, it appears that Mo doesn’t care so much about Torre being gone according to his statements to the Daily News. Guess Pete isn’t done sounding the doomsday bell for the loss of Torre that he doesn’t care to report that he was wrong that everything was going to go to hell now. Same with the rest of the media. All this hyperbole and drama and it’s all for nothing. Supposedly, the team is ready to make a deal with Posada as soon as the manager is announced too. MLB trade rumors is a much better site for Yankee news than this one lately.

  20. Double J

    CLASS!

    ‘Nuff Said

  21. Peter Abraham

    Anthony: You’re not paying attention. Read the story I had in the paper today, I reported what Mo said. Every paper did.

    Try again.

  22. yanklifer

    poetic statement, but would have liked him to step up a bit more in regards to pulling the team together for the future…something along the lines of i will work alongside the new manager to achieve our goal of a world championship..

  23. nate c.

    i love when pete lurks over his blog to pounce on comments like the one above.

    nice play pete

  24. Anthony

    Well, Pete, it wasn’t on your blog. I don’t read your paper. Should I conduct interviews of all your friends, too, before I question whether you’ve acknowledged something?

  25. CaptainsCorner

    You figured eventually we would get some boring statement like that from Jeter when he was finished running around naked with his woman. Torre changed my diapers when I meet him…blah blah BUT the 1 thing is, Jeter is not stupid!! He loves Uncle Joe but he knows that the organization is bigger then Torre and he knows that he works for the Yanks not Torre!!! So we will never hear out of his mouth I cant believe they got rid of him. He knows who signs his checks and he repsects the organization and the boss more then who the manager was. Believe me Jeter you will get over it and you will be a big boy now and you dont need Uncle Joe to hold your bat while he sleeps on the bench!!!

  26. Pepper Brooks

    #9
    October 23rd, 2007 at 5:46 pm
    OK statement. Would have been great if he finished it with:

    “Randy Levine blows! Thank you.�

    That was funny! Nice to see some humor injected into these “world on the brink” discussions.

  27. Anthony

    Nate C., you’re a clown.

  28. Dee

    This statement is actually LESS boring than what I expected from Jeter. He said more than he needed to to praise Joe, so, not bad at all from the captain/future politician.

  29. Brandon (Tony Pena for 08')

    captain my A.. well written , probably rehearsed he left Joe twisting in the wind too by keeping his mouth shut. It’s amazing Jetes saids one comment all the sudden he’s a dream boat w/ no faults, you dropped the ball on this too Mr. Jeter.

  30. #9

    We should all be like Mr. Jeter from now on and address each orther with “Mr.” or Ms.:

    -Mr. J-Dawg, Ms. Jennifer, Mr. SJ44, Mr. CaptainsCorner, etc

  31. Peter Abraham

    Anthony:

    Strike two! I posted a link to the story on my blog earlier today. Click your mouse and read it. I can’t call 50,000 blog readers a day and read my stories to them.

  32. migames

    Mr Jeter…..i love it. I think we all should change our names. Good idea Mr. #9

  33. #9

    Thank you, Mr. Pepper Brooks.

  34. Dee

    People need to stop nitpicking or personally attacking Pete on his blog. I’m not saying everyone needs to agree, but there’s a way of having contructive debates respectfully. Plus there are many other blogs out there you can go on if you personally dislike the blogger here so much. No one is forcing you to stick around.

  35. Pepper Brooks

    Peter Abraham
    October 23rd, 2007 at 6:05 pm
    Anthony:

    Strike two!

    Pete or Mr. Abraham, I would come in high tight. Obviously cannot hit the fast ball. Use your out pitch.

  36. Anthony

    Well, you didn’t say anything about it and I think it deserves more attention than requiring us to read the story in your paper so closely. Your link just says that the story is about Joe Girardi’s interview.

  37. .i.

    whatever, are we sure he isn’t writing steinbrenner’s canned statements under a pseudonym.

  38. J-Dawg

    Mr. #9- That post made me laugh out loud. I like that idea!

  39. Reflaxion

    Anthony, it’s a side note in the story linked to in “Joe Girardi was first up in the interview process yesterday and he explained what he learned from getting fired in Florida.” It’s there; it definitely doesn’t have the attention that the rumor about the Yankees being “one of 30″ from an anonymous source did, but it’s in there.

    It’s a bit one-sided to side-note the actual statement from Rivera after making waves with the anonymous quote, but you have to expect that to an extent, as it’s not as interesting a story.

  40. Brandon (Tony Pena for 08')

    Am I the only person thinking Jeter sounds phony here ?

    that is the most rehearsed statement I ever read , Joe Torre is like a father to you for 12 yrs. throughout all this you stay shut !!! and that’s the crap you come up with !!!

    Yankee Captain my A$* !!!

  41. Anthony

    lol I guess, Reflaxion, but it’s much more interesting and nice to hear than that he doesn’t care about the Yankees any more than any other team.

  42. Joey Bagadonuts

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....index.html

    Junonia: “….Those who feel this way won’t change our mind because of anything you say anymore than this or any other comment will change your mind so…everyone else here has moved on to discussing the future of the team. Why don’t you hang it up and do the same and I’ll drop the topic too. Deal?..”

    Nice try

    Finally Heyman checks in with sober perspective, analysis and solid reporting on what went down.

    But too late, no more comments wanted now that the inconvenient truth is coming out.

    It seems like only yesterday that all one heard was…..” insulting, disrespectful, low rent, vile, disgusting, cheap blah blah woof woof and my favorite: “The Yankees have blood on their hands”

    What WAS disgusting was the way some of you sounded like a lynch mob getting ready to string up Levine from the nearest tree, based on nothing but the overheated stylings of the New York tabloids and your own flawed assumptions.

  43. gianthinker

    Thats why he’s our captain.

  44. YouDontKnowJack

    Great playoff series there Jeter. Love all those rally killing doubleplays you hit into. STICK A SOCK IN IT.

  45. Ruhi

    LOL, I love Jeter but could you get more sterile? His PR agent must be proud.

  46. Doreen

    Joey Bagodonuts –

    The story actually made me see how they Yankee group could have been surprised that Joe turned down the offer. In their minds, they increased what he was willing to sign for in the spring, PLUS, they gave him the opportunity to get $8 million.

    But, still, the entire thing just ended badly, and I suppose unless Joe Torre was given the opportunity to leave on his own terms (and it actually could be argued that he did), it would never end well.

    I thought Jeter’s statement was just enough. Of course he wasn’t getting into specifics. He needed only to talk about what “Mr. Torre” meant to him for all these years, and he did.

  47. Reflaxion

    Jeter knows how to talk to the media. It’s a gift, and a necessity for surviving the NY spotlight.

    He didn’t say anything which could be spun against him, which is the best he could hope for.

  48. chuck

    Jeter has good PR people. Wonderful statement that avoids controversy, brings a tear to your eye and adds no further insight into the yankeea’s current situation.

  49. S.o.S.27

    One question?

    Will Jeter allow Girardi or Mattingly hold his bat between at bats?

  50. YANKEE BIAS

    Jeter must of wrote that statement in the limo in-between nightclub stops in LA.

    Classy guy that Jete.

  51. Nick

    OK, the Captain’s awaited statement is over and no surprise in what he said but it’s time to move on and show his real captaincy with solid support of his new manager. That is what a true captain should do.

  52. Paul

    Jeter’s statement was late and lame. I am sorry the captain proved to be silent more than once this season when espirit de corps was in order. The rose colored glasses are off now. Next year, he won’t be teflon man.

  53. Donna

    No matter what Derek Jeter says or does, it’ll never be good enough for the 2000 bandwagon jumpers or the A-Rod Brigade.

  54. Don Capone (DesignatedBlogger)

    I think this was the perfect statement from Jeter. What else do some of you want, for him to proclaim he’ll never play for another manager, or that Torre got a raw deal? It wasn’t the graceful end to Torre’s Yankees career that would have been fitting, but the Yanks did make an offer (however lame) and Torre did make the decision to turn it down (5-8 million). Jeter is the captain, but he doesn’t run the front office. He addressed his friendship with Torre and how much he learned playing for him. I thought it was classy.

  55. Yankees '08

    Donna
    October 23rd, 2007 at 7:13 pm
    No matter what Derek Jeter says or does, it’ll never be good enough for the 2000 bandwagon jumpers or the A-Rod Brigade.

    Nevermind. There is alway people like you for whom he can do no wrong and hold grudges on his behalf, to comfort him from all those mean nasty haters and A-Rod lovers.

  56. reality check

    Joey Bagadonuts
    “Finally Heyman checks in with sober perspective, analysis and solid reporting on what went down.
    But too late, no more comments wanted now that the inconvenient truth is coming out.”
    Let me get this right, you are the ‘Great Harbinger of Truth’? Only Joey Bagadonuts gets to determine which assumptions are flawed and whose opinions have value.
    Tell me what truth about what “went down” did you find revealed in Heyman’s story? That Joe would have taken a pay cut and a 1 year deal before the season started? So what. Was that the offer he refused? Plus, what deal for anyone would be the same after the season ends as it could have been before the season starts?
    We’ll never know what joe was willing to take because according to both him and cashman, and never denied, there was no negotiating. the “incentivesâ€? deal was it. and joe says it was the incentives that did it for him. no reason to think he was lying. the media may be out of control cause that’s what they do, but I think it’s unfair for you to characterize everyone who disagrees with you as calling for blood and using low rent etc. There were some of those type comments , but they were not in the majority.

    I didn’t take junonia’s comments the way you did. and he (or she) doesn’t have a history on here of using any of the language that you describe. I think junonia was just trying to acknowledge the fact that we won’t ever all agree about this (obviously) and we should agree to disagree and stop sniping at each other about it. We can all keep hyperlinking to stories that foster our own opinions until doomsday. My pesonal favorite for example http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14400754/
    What’s the point?

  57. hmmm

    that was a nice tribute from Jeter. heartfelt, to the point, etc.

    but would it have killed him to say something like this at the end:

    “I will miss Mr. Torre greatly next year, but I can assure the fans that my teammates and I will do everything we can to prepare for the 2008 season and support our new manager in our shared goal of bringing a World Championship back to New York.”

    just something forward looking would have been nice.

    ok, that is all, i’m not ripping jeter.

  58. Jenna

    Well crafted, yet very sincere. I’m proud he’s our Captain. I was wondering the same thing about who’ll hold the bat….

  59. JJNJ

    *yawn*

  60. Dr. Acula

    #9

    _We should all be like Mr. Jeter from now on and address each orther with “Mr.� or Ms.: Mr. J-Dawg, Ms. Jennifer, Mr. SJ44, Mr. CaptainsCorner, etc_

    I came up with the _idea_ first

    Doc ;)

  61. Dr. Acula

    I’m not buying the “I waited” for Torre first excuse.

    If that was the case, Jeter coulda released this statement on on Sunday or at the latest Monday.

    This has day-late feel of sneaker-salesmanship written all over it.

  62. Dee

    Dr.: “I’m not buying the “I waitedâ€? for Torre first excuse.”

    Me neither, not for a second. There were report and pictures of Jeter clubbing in LA and surrounded by women last Thurs and Friday over on the Yankees mlb msg board. I don’t think he was waiting, sounds like he was just busy.

    OT – they need to stop airing that Clemens Verizon ad.

  63. Vinny 5743

    A very typical statement in Jeterian fashion. No actual definitive feelings on the move. He won’t be confrontational with the organization who pays him, ever. He’s too smart to do that.

    Did anyone expect Jeter, Posada or Mo to jump off a bridge because Torre left ? Did anyone expect them to not play for the Yankees as long as their money was there ? If the money is there and the contract length is right, they will be back. They weren’t going to burn bridges in lieu of their careers to back Torre to the hilt either. It was and still is very possible for these players, other than Jeter who still has a contract, to go elsewhere and then where would this team be ? Some people make me laugh.

    In case some of the sooth sayers think a newspaper reporter doesn’t give their own opinion in their statements is just reading the words and skiping the meanings behind them. Who wants to read just the facts of issue’s with no insight from the reporter ? The whole concept in reading is to relate to what the reporter is saying. If those of you who don’t like Peter’s slant on things, why do you bother to read what he says ? Just need another soul to bash on the faceless internet ? Ungracious fools who need to think they are someone, when in fact they aren’t worth the time to listen to, should just go elsewhere.

    No one here appreciates the BS you are spewing. It’s neither fun to read or worth reading. I’m sure I will now be castrated for enjoying Peter’s Blog and column’s. It is still the fastest Yankee news on the net.

  64. Vinny 5743

    A very typical statement in Jeterian fashion. No actual definitive feelings on the move. He won’t be confrontational with the organization who pays him, ever. He’s too smart to do that.

    Did anyone expect Jeter, Posada or Mo to jump off a bridge because Torre left ? Did anyone expect them to not play for the Yankees as long as their money was there ? If the money is there and the contract length is right, they will be back. They weren’t going to burn bridges in lieu of their careers to back Torre to the hilt either. It was and still is very possible for these players, other than Jeter who still has a contract, to go elsewhere and then where would this team be ? Some people make me laugh.

    In case some of the sooth sayers think a newspaper reporter doesn’t give their own opinion in their statements is just reading the words and skiping the meanings behind them. Who wants to read just the facts of issue’s with no insight from the reporter ? The whole concept in reading is to relate to what the reporter is saying. If those of you who don’t like Peter’s slant on things, why do you bother to read what he says ? Just need another soul to bash on the faceless internet ? Ungracious fools who need to think they are someone, when in fact they aren’t worth the time to listen to, should just go elsewhere.

    No one here appreciates the BS you are spewing. It’s neither fun to read or worth reading. I’m sure I will now be castrated for enjoying Peter’s Blog and column’s. It is still the fastest Yankee news on the net. Thank you Peter.

  65. Vinny 5743

    Sorry for the duplicate post.

  66. ClassyClassfordClasston

    Classfer classton class class classiness classss classsaw clssquorf class! Classy? CLASS! Class class class classhue classwald classington classyuop!! Class. ClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClassClass

  67. pat m in CT

    yeah, carefully worded to leave little room for interpretation. Jeter learned this a long time ago. The only thing I question is what took him so long?

    As to the belief that Jeter should have been publicly defending Torre before it all went down—how does anyone know that he didn’t do so behind the scenes? It doesn’t have to be in print to have happened. Jeter may have figured that making a public statement supporting Torre would make things tougher for the next manager, ie. the press asking the new guy about Jeter.

    Since this was a private meeting of 10-12 people, there is more to this story than any of us can know or will ever know, hence all the rumors and public relations cleanup since it happened.

  68. Brayden

    Jeter rocks.

  69. pat

    so uhh if it’s so classy of him why exactly didn’t he hold a press conference to say this? or even just say it straight to the press standing around him rather than having some PR guy help him with a statement and then handing it to the Yankees to release? Sure he said exactly the right things but how he released it… that’s not captain like at all if you ask me. He should have his face in front of the camera.

  70. CountryClub

    You people killing Jeter for this statement are ridiculous.

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About the authors
Chad JenningsChad Jennings joined the The Journal News in October 2009, having spent the better part of seven years covering baseball in Scranton, PA. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri and an award-winning beat reporter and features writer. E-mail me at cjennings@lohud.com
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Sam BordenSam Borden is an award-winning journalist who joined The Journal News and LoHud.com in January 2008. He covered the Yankees for the New York Daily News from 2004-06, and has also worked as a columnist for the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. E-mail me at sborden@lohud.com
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Sam BordenJosh Thomson has done some of everything since joining The Journal News in March 2003. He began working for the Gannett weeklies during the winter of 2002 as a freelance writer. He joined the daily staff soon after and has since covered various high school and pro sports. E-mail me at jthomson@lohud.com
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