The more I think about it, I think the Yankees were foolish for offering Torre a deal, but not because I think it was an insult. Instead, it seems to me as if they were forced into making the offer due to the correctly perceived public backlash that would have occurred had they simply severed times. Ultimately, I think they wanted Torre back for at least one year to avoid the controversy and make it easier to pursue their other off season plans. Ironically, it really looks like Torre cut off his nose to spite his face because he winds up as the only party who has lost something significant. Ironically, it really looks like Torre cut off his nose to spite his face because he winds up as the only party who has lost something significant.

As for the new manager, I am also becoming more convinced of Mattingly’s candidacy. I think Donnie’s work ethic is a major plus, and can easily see him developing into a manager who can combine the old school approach with a more numbers-based philosophy.

* “I’ve been a Yankee fan all my life, including the awful era (80’s) when CBS controlled the team.�

Big Stein has controlled the team since 1972.

LOL!!! You caught them!!

He said at the time that it was about commitment, ie. length of contract. I think the week he spent waiting to hear from the Yankee front office planted enough doubt in his mind about continuing. So when he walked into that room, he looked around to gauge who would support him and just saw Cashman. He decided he no longer had the stomach to deal with a front office that has increasingly weighed in on his tactical choices. Put aside the money– how many of us would think twice about sticking around with a group of people who would knife us in the back when things didn’t go right in May? Just my opinion.

someone earlier had posted “welcome back to the 80s” and others have questioned that. This team has won when the baseball people were in charge. Steinbrenner brought in Gabe Paul as the team president when he bought the team. Paul, who came up with the maxim “You can never have enough pitching”, did the following: he acquired in succession: Graig Nettles, Chris Chambliss, Dick Tidrow and Oscar Gamble from his former team, the Indians; Lou Piniella from the Royals; Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa from the Angels; Willie Randolph, Ken Brett and Dock Ellis from the Pirates; and Bucky Dent from the White Sox.

George brought in Catfish and Reggie. Paul, IIRC, left the Yanks in early 78 in a power struggle with another team exec. He was also getting fed up dealing with George’s increasing involvement. After watching the Yanks get outrun in the 81 WS, George decided that the Bronx Bombers would become the Bronx basestealers. Dave Collins, Ken Griffey Sr, Jerry Mumphrey were brought in. There was no longer a strong GM with clout. George was calling all the shots. So sure, the team had some strong seasons but there wasn’t enough pitching. The farm system was dry. Any kid that did make it up had to perform right away. Few did. Potential free agents took one look at the ownership situation and said no thanks. The team was turning into a laughingstock. I’m not even going to get into Howie Spira.

In the middle of the 1990 season, George was suspended (thank you Fay Vincent!) and (trumpets blaring), the baseball people took over. Bob Watson, a pretty fair hitter, and Gene Michael made the trades that set up the 96-01 team. It didn’t take long for George to reassert himself and drive Watson out. From 2001 on, we saw a number of free agent signings. Some good, some not. Either way, there’s been no championships since. I’m grateful for George’s desire to field a competitive team. I’ve just wanted him to let his baseball people do their job.

So, I look at what happened last week, read the stories, heard the interviews and was left with a troublesome impression: the business people are calling the shots now and the baseball people are going to be ignored. I hope I’m wrong but if a Hughes, Kennedy or Melky is traded for lesser talent, we’ll know who’s in charge.