Donnie Baseball: Yanks dissed Torre
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 29, 2008 
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Don Mattingly is still not too pleased with his former team.
Here is what he told The Boston Globe about the Yankees failing to mention Joe Torre in the final-game ceremony last week: “I wasn’t there and I don’t know how it happened. But not to acknowledge Joe . . . I know they said it was an oversight. I heard somebody tell me that they only did it for the guys who played there. But you know what? He’s a big part of the history of that franchise and the fans know it. Joe’s a class act. I’m sure he’s not going to talk about it and he’s going to say, ‘Oh, I understand,’ or whatever. An oversight? Pretty big oversight.”
Interesting. Who knows whether the Yankees will need a manager any time soon. But clearly Mattingly was bothered with how the franchise treated Torre last fall and their petty snub of him last week. Nothing is official, but many believe that Mattingly is being groomed to replace Torre as the manager of the Dodgers.
Given his knowledge of the game and how he’s able to communicate and relate to people, Mattingly would probably make a good manager.
Meanwhile, here is what Mattingly had to say about Manny Ramirez: “I’ve told people, he’s the best righthanded hitter I’ve ever seen/ I haven’t seen much of (Albert) Pujols, but I’ve obviously worked with A-Rod. No disrespect to A-Rod because he works his butt off and he’s a great player, but Manny’s brought energy here. Manny works. He hits every day. He works simple, but it’s precise.”
is Donnie moving to the Bench next season?
So Pete -who was at fault with the Yanks re Torre – Hank the clown, Randy Levine, or Trost?
In reality, the Yankees dissed most of their managers. Just like they did the video of the players, they could have also done a video montage of the managers. They did not have to have them on field as they did the players.
I don’t remember them mentioning most of the other managers specifically as managers. But Torre was the most recent and one of the most beloved.
I am sure they’re thinking that once Joe is retired and time has passed, they will have a day for him at the new Stadium and retire his number, possibly. He will enter the HOF as a manager for the Yankees. But if you do things like this, even unintentionally, for a team that prides itself on getting these kinds of things right, well, you run the risk of Torre saying, thanks, but no thanks when they finally do come around.
For what it’s worth, I don’t believe when they introduced Joe Girardi as a catcher that they mentioned he was the current manager of the team. Like I said, for what it’s worth. And Billy Martin was represented as a position player, not a manager.
I think they were short-sighted to not also specifically honor the managers of their great teams unless they were dead and had a plaque or monument or retired uni.
It’s hopeful that someone makes amends with Torre, and soon, so that the “awkward” feeling doesn’t fester. And, not for nothin’, it’s not so good that their 1980s franchise player, Donnie Baseball, is not feeling so kind towards them, either.
Dear Don Mattingly,
I wished you were the current manager of the Yankees, too. Up until you left for Hollywood and suddenly turned into a “here’s why the Yankees organization is stupid” soundbite machine. You sound really bitter. Like a divorcée. Keep your mind in and on LA and don’t worry about what’s going on in New York. Go meet Torre at the intersection of his new life, do yoga, and live happily ever after.
Mattingly was my idol when I was a kid…but frankly, if he were the Yankees manager right now (which he said, luckily, he did not get, due to his familial circumstances) would he be saying the same thing? His loyalty to Torre is quite sickening. Get over it.
props to Mattingly, for speaking out. He is right on both counts. From a hitting standpoint, Arod and Manny should not even be spoken in the same sentence. Like it or not, the way it is.
Don, you were my childhood hero, but please shut up.
Mattingly was always a quiet guy who went about his business, now he has an opinion on everything. He’s right that Torre should have been acknowledged at the ceremony, but taking a swipe at Arod is beneath him. His face was on the scoreboard at Yankee stadium, and the Yankees made a business decision to go with Girardi. I know Mattingly is probably upset that they didn’t choose him as manager, but the Yankees have only showed respect for Donnie, and he should just say out of the rift between Torre and the Yankees.
“Don, you were my childhood hero, but please shut up.”
He lost me when he brought up A-Rod. Totally inappropriate. Plus, it’s really easy to talk positively about Manny when he’s behaving like a civilized human being. Let’s go ask BOS what they think about how he handled things right before he left. Sorry, Donnie – you’ve got no credibility in this discussion as far as I’m concerned.
Whatever…….were they supposed to put Joe out on the field with the other ghosts, like they did with Stengle? Other than that, the managers weren’t honored. Donnie, you were my favorite player and a baseball god to me……..right now, I’m very disappointed. By the way, Donnie, Joe showed outright bitterness to the Yankees this year. So much so, in fact, that he refused a coaching position in the All-Star Game. Time and again, he said that he was not sure if he was ever going to make an appearance at YS. That’s nice, Joe; now you can’t do it anymore.
I have no idea if Mattingly is going to be a good manager. Just because Joe Girardi had a tough year is no reason to assume the 2nd choice is going to be a good one.
Oh yeah, Donnie, your comment about A-Rod? Absolutely classless and beneath you. Stay out in LA and stay far away from the Yankees; I eagerly anticipate seeing who you’re going to throw under the bus next.
Donnie would have been just as much of a disaster so far as Girardi as been.
And this coming from someone who grew up watching and idolizing Donnie Baseball.
Some people handle the business of baseball with class (ie Ron Guidry). He was let go but does not harbor ill-will towards the Yankees.
Donnie Baseball is still one of my heroes, but when he left the organization and finally put on another uniform, it opened a wound that isn’t going to heal. When I was watching the ceremonies last Sunday, that wound opened up more when he didn’t he was mentioned and not there, especially after hearing that Nomar sent a video to Boston for this past weekend. Every time he says something like this, it gets a little deeper, too.
There’s not a lot Donnie can do to turn Yankees fan against him, but it sure feels like he’s trying to find out what it actually would take.
Get over it Donnie, your team is in the playoffs and the Yankees are sitting at home. Sour grapes.
I was about to write “sour grapes” and then saw jennifer already did.
Mattingly suggestion that Manny is somehow a better team player than ARod is one of the most asinine baseball statements I’ve ever read.
I’m not sure I understand why the “sour grapes” comments. They would make sense if it was the Yankees going to the playoffs, not the Dodgers. Unless you mean sour grapes that he didn’t get the managerial position?
Donnie is defending his friend Joe. The A-Rod comment is a slap, but let’s face it, Joe had a really tough time dealing with A-Freud–and I think Donnie resented the crap Joe had to take for it.
Doreen- I am referring to Donnie. He is on a team that made the playoffs. Why is he still talking about what the Yankees did or didn’t do for Joe T. Get over it and concentrate on your team.
Also once Donnie made the John Wooden comment you knew he wasn’t cut out for managing the Yankees. He had a defeatist attitude. Not a good thing.
More sour grapes from the guy that didn’t get the job. Girardi & the Yanks won 5 more games than your St. Joe & the Dodgers so shut up & get your own life in order. You were the best player on a bunch of teams that couldn’t do it. Hope you become Joe’s bench coach so your most important job will be trying to keep him awake for 9 innings.The one right move Cashman made was not picking you.
I never wanted to see Joe Torre leave as the manager of the Yanks,and being the class man he is, he has moved on without running his mouth to the press…
I thought the oversight of Joe Torre at the closing of the House that Ruth Built was low rent and classless by an organization that claims to be always operating with class, and the Yanks are the team I love..I despised the way Joe Torre was treated,but payback is a real bitch…He’s in the playoffs,and our team is on their sofas watching the playoffs…
I also thought it was classless to exclude Roger Clemens-steroids or no steroids..
Don Mattingly has the right to make comments and express his opinion,but it’s a little late and doesn’t make him look any better…Get over it and move on for all parties..
Pete, please start another blog. I love reading about your inside track obeservations but the lunatics have taken over the asylum that your forum has become. Although some of these fans are a true reflection of the classless nature of the current Yanks exec team.
Two things:
I believe Torre was excluded to avoid a huge applause, thereby making Girardi feel like as if not the people’s choice.
I believe Clemens was excluded to avoid a huge chorus of boo’s. That is not what the closing ceremony was about.
Also re-reading his comments on Alex. Low blow. He brought energy there? Ask the soxs what they thought of how he played for them this year. Or I should say didn’t play for them this year. He laid down and dogged it so he could get traded. Lots of integrity there.
Amandla
Don’t read the comments if you don’t like what people are saying. Simple. You can read Pete’s entries and ignore what people reply.
Donnie stop drinking the water out there. It has LSD in it. Manny works hard? Please someone save Donnie something is very wrong.
Pete, Joe Girardi will be with this team longer than this rag newspaper exists. You have to let this go. You had an interesting story and then you have to throw in your shot at Girardi. No need for that at all, you want to push an agenda have a basis for it rather than the guy is mean to you and isn’t forthcoming with injury information.
Harwood,
Whatever you might think of Manny, he does work hard. He does a weight program every morning of every game day while most players are still in bed, and he gets to the ballpark early, usually one of the first players to arrive, and goes through a hitting regiment that is also well thought out, plus a training regiment for his eyes and reflexes; and he does more work with tape on opposing pitchers than almost any player in the league. The players around him become better hitters just by his example and many, including Ortiz, attest to this. While he was “dogging” it out in Boston he was hitting over 300 and on his way to 35 homers and over 100 rbi’s. His wanting to leave Boston makes good sense to me. Ungrateful bastards. Anyway, feel free to hate Manny, but the facts are he works hard at the game, or at least the hitting part of it.
The perception of Manny here on the Left Coast is dramatically different than in Beantown and, derivatively, New York. Donnie Baseball’s comments bear witness. Perhaps we Yankee fans have been poisoned by the news flowing from up north. Torre only says good things, T.J. Simers, the acerbic columnist of the LA Times is on his bandwagon and explains quite often and in specifics, his apparent aberrant behavior in Boston; if interested, you might want to read his column of yesterday in the LA Times. Perhaps the NY press, Peter included, should maintain an open mind and consider the circumstances which Simers discusses rather well. In evaluating Manny, remember Boston does not treat its fallen heros particularly well….Nomar, Pedro, Clemens, Vaughn to name the most recent…unlike the Yankees other than dissing Torre which is inexcusable. Though unlikely, I would not dismiss the possibility of Manny wearing pinstripes next year.
I like how no one mentions that Torre turned down an invitation to the All Star Game. This whole situation is just dumb. Mattingly should keep his mouth shut.
How many ex-Red Sox, not on the payroll or with some continuing connection have good things to say about the organization or even their experiences with the club?
I remember quite well Teddy Ballgame’s ongoing battles; most vivid was the non-infrequent extension of his middle finger to the fans. It’s obviously not a great organization to play for.
Did Donnie watch Manny’s last months in Boston? Manny a hard worker? Donnie is bitter. He was willing to jump head first into Joe Torre’s shoes if offered the Yankee job but now he is a Torre loyalist! Donnie did not have the personality, experience or makeup to have been the Yankee manager.
One season does not a failure make, but! I just preferred Torre’s style. We’ll never know. Over done fini under the bridge,gone unimportant, and unecessary. As usual Torre has demonstrated his ethics, said he wasn’t offered what he deserved in his mind so I’ll jjust go work elsewhere. Not easy for him I’m sure, Torre being Torre, what ain’t to like. Mattingly why stir the already hot pot. Makes no sense.
Now Manny being Manny leaves lots not to like, but yeah the dude can hit. Let him hit elsewhere, they say its nice to finish where you are at right now, so stay there.
Funny if Manny makes the series against the beaners, game 7 beaners up a run, Manny being Manny deposits a two run shot to win it all. Now that is one time Manny being Manny would be a good thing.
Donnie praising a scuznut like Manny over Arod is bushleague.
I love Joe Torre and think he was a GREAT fit with the Yankees. But what was his managerial career like prior to being hired by the Yankees?
whats the problem with Donnie’s comments? The only bitter person is the whiny 96er yankee fan typing stupid comments on this blog. Yanks classless for leaving out Torre during celebration-Check, Manny a better pure hitter than Arod-check, don’t shoot Donnie for being the messenger ,truth hurts.
Dang, those grapes are sour, huh Donnie?
“Manny a better pure hitter than Arod-check”
Yes, Manny is a slightly better overall hitter than ARod.
Manny also played corner outfield positions his whole career. ARod played shortstop and third his whole career. It’s apples and oranges. ARod hit like a great corner outfielder while playing on the left side of the infield. That’s why he’s going to be retire as one of the top 5 players ever. Manny won’t even crack the top 20.
I don’t think this is what Mattingly was getting at anyway. It was an even dumber statement, that Manny brings “energy.” If Manny hadn’t hit like he was possessed, I don’t think anyone would be saying a word about his “energy.”
nothing wrong with what Donnie said. the yankees screwed up with Torre’s final game omission and he has every right to say good things about Manny, a guy who plays for him.
How could it possibly be “classless” to compare two great hitters and come out with an opinion that one is a truer hitter, though both are terrific? Geez, some of you guys need to get real. You certainly seem to have opinions on everyone and everything, but they can’t have one?
He didn’t “slam” Arod. Why are some of you so freakin’ sensitive?
ROFL, please. Manny being a better hitter than Arod? Purely hitting wise, they’re close, and yes, Manny is a slightly better hitter.
Overall player? Manny has what 2 out of the 5 tools. Arod has all 5.
Conduct? Well we’ve all seen how the Boston split went. Plus if Manny doesn’t get his way… he just doesn’t try. ie. taking himself out of the Redsox lineup with a exaggerated “injury”. Not to mention he poses at home plate after a hit for longer than he hustles down the 1b line.
At least Arod plays game in game out. He’s rarely been on the DL throughout his career. There’s no doubt of Arod’s “work ethic”. Can you say the same for Manny?
Donnie Baseball has had his differences with Yankeeland in the past. One that comes to mind was in “90″, as I recall, when he was told to cut his hair (a kinship with Manny?) and the Captain” refused. Tho told by the then manager (Stump?)he blamed Stick for the edict and renewed his earlier request to be traded, citing, among other things, the lack of direction of the team.
In this case, he is absolutely right about the Yankees dissing Torre; it was inexcusable and classless. I should add that I am not a Torre fan…tho he is a gentleman and a man of class, and was in the right place at the right time from 06 — 01. But that matters not, it was a classless act.
As to Donnie complementing Manny as well as Torre’s endorsements, Manny has been absolutely superb here in LA in all respects. Tho he has made some mistakes, he was never comfortable in Boston, even from the beginning. For those interested, check out TJ Simers column in the LATimes.com this past Sunday, and one can better understand what Manny is about.
Though I doubt it will happen, Manny, free from the idiosyncracies of Boston, would energize the lineup and would do for Arod what he did for Big Papi, especially in an odd numbered year.
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