Watching Series was “surreal” for Torre
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Nov 14, 2009 
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Joe Torre hosted his annual “Safe at Home” gala at Chelsea Piers on Friday night, and there were still a ton of Yankees in attendance especially since Mariano Rivera was being honored on the 10-year anniversary of the 1999 World Series where he was MVP.
Torre told reporters there that it was a little “surreal” for him to see the Yankees winning the World Series without him, “but to watch what they’ve done, and especially with Joe Girardi at the helm, it really made me feel good even though I’m supposed to be a National League fan. When you’re as close to these guys as I have been for all these years, I was just real pleased for them.” Torre, by the way, is apparently in discussions to extend his Dodgers deal for one more year.
There was plenty of talk about former Yankee John Wetteland, who was admitted to the hospital under bizarre circumstances this week after a possible suicide attempt. “I will pray for him,” Rivera said.
Hideki Matsui said he would be disappointed if he did not remain a Yankee, but would also embrace the challenge of playing elsewhere. “If that happens, I think it would be disappointing,” Matsui told reporters through an interpreter. “On the other hand, it’s something to look forward to. It means that it’s going to be a new change and something different for me, a new challenge. In that sense, I’ll definitely take it in a positive way. The Yankees have their own plans, too, and you have to respect that.”
Let him write another book. He is much better at it.
BTW: FIRST ONE!
There was plenty of talk about former Yankee John Wetteland, who was admitted to the hospital under bizarre circumstances this week after a possible suicide attempt. “I will pray for him,” Rivera said.
I’m a little surprised to still see this, as both John and the Mariners released statements later that evening refuting the original reports of the actual circumstances that necessitated John’s trip to the hospital…
http://www.thenewstribune.com/.....52693.html
Seattle Mariners bullpen coach John Wetteland was resting at home in Denton, Texas, on Thursday night after a trip to a hospital.
The Seattle Mariners say the popular coach was treated for an elevated heart rate.
“My wife and I are very appreciative of the over and above care of our local officers and paramedics,” Wetteland said in a statement released by the team Thursday night. “The circumstances leading to my elevated blood pressure and heart rate have been addressed.”
Dallas television station CBS-11 and the New York Daily News reported earlier Thursday that Denton County authorities described the call from a woman at Wetteland’s home as a mental health issue.
“She said he was complaining of being depressed and contemplating suicide,” Sgt. Roger Griggs of the sheriff’s office told the newspaper for a story on its Web site.
Sources with the team say Wetteland never considered suicide, that the call to police came during a family argument and was a “huge misunderstanding.”
Wetteland’s eccentric, intense personality helped Mariners relievers form a tight bond in 2009, and he mentored first-time closer David Aardsma from early in spring training.
“Every guy in the bullpen would hop on a plane today and fly to Texas to see him if he asked,” Mark Lowe said. “I’m with Sean White, and we were trying on tuxedoes for his wedding on Saturday when we heard the news. The first thing I did was start praying for him.
“John’s got a family that just adores him, and friends who’d do anything for him. He’s strong, and he’ll get through this, whatever it is.”
A musician with a passion for rock ’n’ roll – and a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, which he often traveled with – is married with four children.
I wonder how much Matsui’s sway over the Japanese market will influence the front office’s decision.
I am so tired of the media fawning over Joe Torre. He was once rightfully dubbed “Clueless Joe” and just because he lucked into having the greatest closer of all time so that even he couldnt screw up that bullpen dynamic doesnt mean he should be viewed as the second coming.
I say good riddance to Mr. Torre because can anyone imagine how he would have run Hughes, Coke, Robertson and Mo into the ground this year.
If the Yankees are concerned about market penetration in Japan, they need to target a younger Japanese star.
If Matsui is willing to take a one year deal… i’d resign him. Anything more than that and the team is overpaying and/or using up a valuable spot with a lot of long term aging vets on the roster.
Good Job NG… you’re standing and reputation in here has just been boosted by 10000000%…. or not.
Torre was the perfect manager for the Yankees in the late 90’s and I don’t think its a coincidence that the Dodgers all the sudden started winning when he got there. The Yankee Dynasty was hardly a team of super stars. He got the most out of those guys.
He wouldn’t have been a good fit with the current team but that shouldn’t diminish what he did in his time with the team.
Tom in N.J.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Deep Farm Gives Yanks Plenty of Chips:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/1…..-of-chips/
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Manny likely will start out in Tampa and wind up in Trenton, much to my delight.
Brackman reportedly was more consistent with his delivery and command once they dropped the change from his repertoire and put him in the bullpen.
He also experienced the usual velo spike out there.
If he can stay healthy and on course, Brack will get his ML introduction as one of our righties out of the bullpen, joining D-Rob and Melancon, towards the end of 2010. No need for Joba/Hughes to be disrupted. I can see Melancon as handling 2-plus innings out of there, and the others shorter relief.
If Garcia could ever, ever, ever stay healthy, he’d be insane as Mo’s setup man to get his feet wet in the majors.
Haven’t seen mention of some the staples from previous Torre dinners being there this year. Girardi? Pettitte? Tino? O’Neill?
Matsui – always a class act. Has a way of saying things that make you respect him, and respect whatever decision is made regarding his future by both sides.
As to Torre, we’ll never really know if he could have managed this particular bunch of guys to a WS, will we? But we can probably be fairly certain that his time had played out somewhat, and short of a sabbatical, where he could take a couple of years, refresh and return, there was nothing else to do but move on (notwithstanding the exact circumstances of how that was accomplished, and no commentary by me on same, just noting that the parting was not comfortably accomplished). Obviously a sabbatical does not work in Major League Baseball. That’s taking the term “interim manager” a bit too far.
CompassRosy -
Thank you for that article on Wetteland. It was far more comprehensive than anything I’d read elsewhere. I wish him and his family well.
pat
November 14th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Haven’t seen mention of some the staples from previous Torre dinners being there this year. Girardi? Pettitte? Tino? O’Neill?
********************
pat-from what I’ve seen
current Yankees: Rivera, Jeter, Cano, Cabrera, Matsui
former Yankees: Berra, Cone
I’m a little surprised Damon and Rodriguez didn’t come out for Torre’s night. j/k
“If Garcia could ever, ever, ever stay healthy, he’d be insane as Mo’s setup man to get his feet wet in the majors.”
Could you imagine being Garcia? Having that kind of talent, that close to the riches of professional baseball, but your health being a consistent issue.
He’s an example of why I dismiss the premise of a guy not having ‘heart’. If his body would comply, I’m sure he’d have been in MLB by now.
Forgetting how the relationship ended (I’m not interested in revisiting that again), those were some nice comments from Joe. I’m not surprised, though – he’s very close to Girardi, Jeter, etc…
I’m glad to hear Wettetland is ok….and it’s nice to see his ex-teammates expressing concern for him. When the M’s were in town, Mo gushed over his mentor, saying how Wetteland taught him how to be a professional.
So this is what it’s come to? Brackman in the bullpen? So much for him being the next great starter. I’m not counting on him at all…..and I definitely do not see him helping us in 2010. Bodh, I hope you are right on Melancon, but this kid has to prove himself all over again; he’s not getting a spot in the pen based on his reputation from the minors.
Joe Torre does a wonderful job managing the media and generally dealing with people. His game managing often made me scratch my head as did his willingness to burn out relievers. I wish him luck with the Dodgers, but I am happy with who we currently have.
I thought the same thing about Matsui. What a good guy. Surely, if he would come back for one year, the Yankees would offer that.
I can finally bring myself to finish reading Torre’s book. It’s very amusing in that a lot of Verducci’s passages are written with the Yankee championship years in the past tense. He made it sound like the Yankees were never going to win again in the near future and that the Red Sox have surpassed the Yankees. Wrong on both counts Tommy, my boy!
I fully appreciate what Joe Torre did during his tenure. He did a fabulous job directing the ship and dealing with the media. However, his own book flies in the face of Torre’s anger that was directed at David Wells. In short, Torre did not prectice what he preached about the sanctity of the clubhouse. I find that very disappointing. He not only threw A Rod under the bus, but he backed it over him repeatedy. He talked out od school about Giambi and Damon too.
It’s one thing to be out of baseball and cash in on your managerial career.I never would have thought that Joe Torre would publish stories about things that went on behind closed doors. But when youre still a manager and you write a book about current players, that is beyond weak.If I were a player and Joe Torre were the manager, I wouldn’t trust him for a New York minute.
blake
The only way Torre was the perfect manager was that he got lucky when he played his hunches. The AL was the lesser league at the time while the NL had the Braves, Cardinals, Padres, Astros and Mets all winning upwards of 95 games each year. It wasnt until 2000 that the AL got strong with the A’s and Mariners and then we had to struggle to get to the World Series with an inferior team.
Now when Torre goes to the Dodgers, the NL is the down league while the AL is the stronger and he cant even get to the World Series. The NL is a worse league for Torre because he actually has to be proactive in making moves with his relievers. The Dodgers are going to have to be that much better than everyone else just to overcome Torre’s shortcomings.
Jacob, that sure is a lot of luck for a guy to have and that last statement you made “The Dodgers are going to have to be that much better than everyone else just to overcome Torre’s shortcomings” is just flat out ridiculous.
man if kershaw can get his walks down he will be absolutely great
171 innings with 119 hits is fantastic
the league batted only .200 against him
he had a 1.23 whip & that is giving up 91 walks in 171 innings wich is a ton
Jacob,
Get over it. Torre won 4 rings and the Yankees NEVER missed the playoffs when he was the manager.
They also went to the World Series 6 times.
Torre did a TON of good while he was the manager of the Yankees.
He’s gone, and now the Yankees have won AGAIN.
What exactly are you complaining about?
Was good ol’ Joe happy for A-Rod and Damon, too, or just Jeter, Posada, Mo, and Andy?
Now Kershaw is a guy I’d consider moving Cano for if they would bite. Torre and Mattingly both love Cano (don’t know if that would matter). Kershaw is on his way to being a top 5 pitcher. The only thing is that those numbers are pitching in a division where the only team that can hit is the one he’s on, but he’s legit and has only scratched the surface of how good he can be.
funny article about the Yankees from the always great “The Onion” :
http://www.theonion.com/conten.....ed_yankees
I actually like Kershaw better than Lincecum long term because I think Lincecum’s shoulder is going to blow up at some point.
Buster Onley said we are fifth in the Lacky race. Damn !.
I really want Lackey !
there is less than a zero chance the Dodgers trade Kershaw for Cano
the odds of that are just as good as the Dodgers trading Kershaw, Kemp, Broxton, and Loney for Vernon Wells
I didn’t say they would, i’m just dreaming of Kershaw in pinstripes.
Evan3457 November 14th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Was good ol’ Joe happy for A-Rod and Damon, too, or just Jeter, Posada, Mo, and Andy?
________________________________________________________________
Read the article. He said he was particularly happy for alex because he seemed relaxed and got the playoff monkey off his back.
the dodgers had nothing to combat the phillies
torre did a nice job with what he had
billingsley,kershaw,broxton have to improve but what a bunch of talent that team has
if they can get the pitching staff ironed out look out
1 more good pitcher to go with bills & kershaw to mentor the staff & mybe a few infielders
Last offseason I consistently said “say no to Lowe” (good thing they did).
This offseason I say “say no to Lackey”. He will be overpaid for his talent level, imo.
To sunny615:
Let’s leave my reputation right where it is. I am not here to make or lose points.
As for Mr. Torre, well I happened not to like him. I am not going into debate about this and that, how he (mis)handled bullpen, how he (mis)handled Alex in playoffs etc.
The only thing that got me upset with him is his book. A-Fraud? And now he is happy for him?
What if Alex puts the autobiography on the shells sometime in the future and says guys in the clubhouse called him Mr. Phony?
Since Matsui is being mentioned in this thread quite often I will add my useless observations. If I were to judge every single player from year 2003 up until today, Matsui has been one of the best Yankees. It will be sad if THEY decide to let him go. I remember when entire NY was begging to resign Petite and Yankees let him walk away. It is not the same situation but in terms of fan favorite he is one of the top Yankees.
The Dodgers weren’t even supposed to beat the Cardinals if you remember. And they are managed by the “in-game genius”.
We don’t need Lackey – what else did Buster say?
William Buckner
November 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
“If Garcia could ever, ever, ever stay healthy, he’d be insane as Mo’s setup man to get his feet wet in the majors.”
Could you imagine being Garcia? Having that kind of talent, that close to the riches of professional baseball, but your health being a consistent issue.
He’s an example of why I dismiss the premise of a guy not having ‘heart’. If his body would comply, I’m sure he’d have been in MLB by now.
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The whole “heart” thing is, in large measure, a media invention any way. That’s not to say some have it and some don’t, but that the whole notion of “having heart” is greatly abused.
Garcia would definitely qualify, in my book, as “having heart.” He battled through command and arm strength issues after TJ the LAST time around, and I watched him gut out the later innings, using guile and deadly movement on his stuff to get himself out of the trouble he got himself into.
Man, you said it – it must be monumentally frustrating for this guy. It’s frustrating for those of us who know what he would bring – imagine for the pitcher himself!
He’s not someone you’d want to mess with in terms of mechanics – he’s an interesting combination of effortless yet high risk delivery with the high elbow – but I sorely hope he works on core strength even though he relies heavily on his arm.
Chad said he’d give us an update on his progress, via Mark Newman. Keeping my fingers crossed – again.
I really really like Lackey.
But Betsy. It was on MLB traderumors.com . He centered his article around Lackey.
“This offseason I say “say no to Lackey”. He will be overpaid for his talent level, imo.”
————-
and your opinion seems like a sound one.
Lackey is an excellent pitcher but is being overrated because he is the crown jewel in an unusually weak offseason for free agent pitching.
low supply, high demand = overpaid
I would be fine with adding Lackey, he’s a bulldog and would be a great #2 or 3 starter. That said he isn’t an ace and if he’s expecting ace money he’s not going to get it. He has injury concerns and is already past his peak. I’m fine either way on him but the price tag would have to come down from what I’m hearing
the dodgers would be nuts to give kershaw up for cano
he is a baby
i would do it though
blake
All I meant is that the Dodgers have it made with all of their talent in a lesser league and they still cant make it beyond the NLCS. Torre’s misuse of the bullpen cost them all season just as it did when Joe was with us and their big guns didnt have the bullets to go in the playoffs.
As for Torre’s luck, think about he made the World Series in 96 through 99. He had home field in every AL series except 97 which he lost and faced inferior one dimensional teams in the Rangers, Red Sox and Orioles and Indians in those playoff seasons. Not until 00 did he have to face any semblance of a decent team in Oakland or Seattle and barely got through.
ray
I am only complaining that the NY media is still fawning over a guy who wasnt that good as our manager yet continues to bash the real reason we won 4 WS and made it to 6, and that is George Steinbrenner. If the Boss got half the accolades of Torre, he would be considered a saint.
I don’t think the dodgers would do it, they are a big market team and have the resources to lock Kershaw up long term if they want. Wouldn’t stop me from picking up the phone and asking anyway.
“Torre was the perfect manager for the Yankees in the late 90’s and I don’t think its a coincidence that the Dodgers all the sudden started winning when he got there. The Yankee Dynasty was hardly a team of super stars. He got the most out of those guys.
He wouldn’t have been a good fit with the current team but that shouldn’t diminish what he did in his time with the team.”
Very well said.
So this is what it’s come to? Brackman in the bullpen? So much for him being the next great starter. I’m not counting on him at all…..and I definitely do not see him helping us in 2010. Bodh, I hope you are right on Melancon, but this kid has to prove himself all over again; he’s not getting a spot in the pen based on his reputation from the minors.
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Betsy,
I think you’re missing the point about Brackman.
It’s a strength – not a weakness, that the Yankees have such riches in up-and-coming pitching that they can fortify their bullpen AND introduce these guys to the ML.
And your premature conclusion that he’s already failed as a starter is based on what, exactly?
He’s a guy whose 2009 season can be viewed, in context, as a success – he didn’t get himself hurt again, and that was his first year of pro ball.
He was drafted out of school and had TJ, so he’s been rehabbing. They are still looking for him to be a starter – and if you read my post, I said his INTRO to the majors will be through the BP – throwing 100 mph. That would mean he progressed from where he left off – repeating his delivery and not being hurt.
He’s a big guy and has typical “tall” pitcher issues – but his career isn’t quite doomed – slow down, girl!
Jacob, you are basing everything on your subjective opinion which you are entitled to. The Phillies are a better team than the Dodgers and thats why they won.
Funny nobody questioned Torre’s use of the bullpen when he was riding Stanton, Nelsen, and Mo to the WS every year. The fact is that in his later years managing the Yankees his bullpen was awful and he didn’t have much choice but to use the couple guys he trusted. I’m not disagreeing that he has a tendancy to overuse bullpens but I think that argument is a bit overstated.
Nobody is fawning over Torre now. Most people are in agreement that it was the right move to make a change at the time they did. Everything runs its coarse eventually and just because Torre ran his course with the Yankees doesn’t take anything away from his success while there.
Re: Torre
When a team loses the mgr gets the blame so when a team wins the mgr should get some credit.
As for Torre’s luck, only someone who dislikes Torre would give such a weak reason for winning.
BD, that was hilarious, lol……I love the Onion and that was one of their best.
Jacob Ruppart
Basically, Torre is/was nothing but a fraud, a hypocrite. He was portrayed as a guy with strict morals and a team guy. Instead, he was a guy who would throw anybody under the bus if it suited him. Classless is the word that best describes him.
It’s difficult to say he had nothing to do with any of our consecutive playoff seasons, or World Series titles, but I can see how having Steinbrenner’s wallet helped him win.
When you really think about it, the fact that he batted Alex 8th in a playoff game, solely because of his dislike for the guy, that is some truly terrible managing and extremely selfish of him. Please do not argue this point, as there is nothing to argue. There was no way he thought our team was better off batting Alex 8th.
Just as a general note:
Some of us see these players before they hit the majors, and also pursue detailed reports and up-to-date results on the farm guys.
Others read the occasional blurb on these kids from posters who have seen them, and the third generation observation, on this blog.
That’s fine – but to make blanket statements about guys one has either a). not seen or b). cavalierly noticed, is just irresponsible IMO.
Now Betsy, I know you’ve seen Melancon at the ML level (albeit a very small sample size), and you’re entitled to your opinion of him – so I’m not necessarily referencing that (although obviously, I feel I have a lot more to go on than his microscopic ML ouvre).
I just have trouble with the “Tabata will never amount to anything” – when the poster has NEVER seen him play, etc.
Tell me you’ve visited scouting reports, cross referenced them, sought out seeing the player in person or even watched some video, figured out his production relative to what league and park he plays in, and the age of the other players, what they’re doing with his approach, etc….and then a dialogue becomes interesting.
With all due respect to everyone, I really don’t want to hear people declare a prospect’s window has closed, based on a short attention span or worse, poster hubris.
Thanks.
Bodh, I didn’t mean to sound so negative on Brackman. I guess we’ll see if he can make it up here by the end of the year, but all I’m looking for is progress…..and it’s definitely progress that he made it through the year healthy.
Mike, thanks. The Yankees aren’t going to be active in the FA market, so I don’t expect to hear too much buzz on them……..Of course, if they don’t sign Matsui and/or Damon, things can change in a hurry
CR9, the time you are describing is probably past the time that Torre should have even still been managing the Yankees. I think they were a year or two late in making the change. Torre wasn’t happy anymore in NY and it showed. He became extremely loyal to the players that he had won with and almost annoyed by the new players that were supposed to be great but kept letting him down.
I personally choose to remember Torre as the guy that managed the Yankees to 4 titles and helped bring them back to the top, not the bitter and unhappy guy that was there at the end. If people want to let that time period tarnish his whole time with the Yankees then I guess I can’t argue that but it doesn’t for me.
Bodh, I never said Melancon wouldn’t amount to anything. I said that he’s going to have to earn his roster spot – I’m not sure how you can deny that. He wasn’t good at all in his brief stint last year. I’m not saying he isn’t talented, but I saw way too many people (not you) insisting this kid was an automatic lockdown reliever ……and this was before he was even brought up. I hope he earns his way onto the roster because we sure could use him.
Betsy,
Granted, it’s easier to be in the BP than to start – which is what people bizarrely miss when they insist Hughes and Joba are “better off” in the BP.
And Brackman did have to drop his change to regain his ability to throw strikes. But the way I look at it, the boy is a project, and he reached critical, if modest, goals this season – and that’s a good thing.
He can always attempt to add the change back in – that pitch, even if you throw a good one, just continues to be anathema for certain pitchers (look at AJ Burnett!!! And his is a good one!!!).
He may never turn out – how do we know? We know he has stuff and velo, and that the Yanks want him to one day start. If he can come out of the bullpen next fall throwing flames – that’s fantastic for the Yankees!
I love that we can literally parade arms into that bullpen – no more washed up NL relievers and welfare for those who take the money and get on their moral high horses about the Yanks’ spending.
The report I read on Brackman said that he’d lost his velocity and was sitting at 89-91 mph now. I don’t know if thats accurate but thats what it said.
Betsy
November 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Bodh, I never said Melancon wouldn’t amount to anything. I said that he’s going to have to earn his roster spot – I’m not sure how you can deny that. He wasn’t good at all in his brief stint last year. I’m not saying he isn’t talented, but I saw way too many people (not you) insisting this kid was an automatic lockdown reliever ……and this was before he was even brought up. I hope he earns his way onto the roster because we sure could use him.
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Of course he has to earn it, Betsy. I guess my position is, he won’t have that much trouble doing so. I may be among those you reference, but I would say “inevitable” more than “automatic” – unless he gets hurt again.
We will see
“Basically, Torre is/was nothing but a fraud, a hypocrite.”
When did he become a fraud/hypocrite, when he was a player, a mgr for other teams, before he won his rings or after? Since you are a great judge of Torre’s character, let us know.
blake
November 14th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
The report I read on Brackman said that he’d lost his velocity and was sitting at 89-91 mph now. I don’t know if thats accurate but thats what it said.
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He had a lull and then got stronger again, once he went into the BP. That happens, generally, but we’re talking about a guy who’s health has remained a question mark.
Visit Yankees Daily Sports Pages and look under the Brackman thread for a really thorough blow-by-blow on him. There are reports on other guys in the system as well.
I am leaving for the day.
Joba in the Pen
I’m pretty sure his book speaks for itself. His treatment of certain players like Alex, the stories of Wells and the treatment he received from Torre.
I am not a great judge of character of Torre. His book and his former players are!
blake and CR
I had a post responding to you guys but it got eaten by the filter. I will just say this, while I appreciate Torre’s help in returning us to glory, I think he receives far, far too much credit for it. And since the NY media is so sparing in those whom they choose to laud, I only wish they would praise someone more worthy like George Steinbrenner.
1. I really want Matsui back. It would kill me if he ended up in Boston.
I was wondering the other day how many world series MVPs ended up with different teams after they won the MVP. I know Wetteland left, but I’m pretty sure that was his choice. I wonder how many, if any, weren’t signed by the team they were on when they won the WS because the team didn’t tender an offer.
2. I don’t believe Torre even watched the world series, don’t believe he was happy for any Yankee players, and I find it almost amusing that he was happy Arod got “the monkey off his back” since he couldn’t trash him enough in his book. I’d say he helped put the monkey there! So I don’t believe for a minute he was happy for Arod. I think he is as phony as they come – despite anything he achieved when he was with the Yankees. Any time his mouth is moving is reason for me to suspect what’s coming out of it.
If posters here have difficulty with my feeling that way, I think I’ll live. I don’t particularly care if people think he’s god so I don’t think anyone should get bent out of shape if I don’t think he is.
Bodh, very true about Brackman. Look at Phil and his change. Phil has a great aptitude for pitching and he hasn’t been able to get a consistent change down. Of course, he’s been hurt…….maybe now he can actually work on it (I would have liked to have seen him go to winter ball)…..AT least now we have talented arms to throw out there (though the enormous amt of injuries in the minors is and will hurt us) as opposed to throwing aging vets with no arms.
LOL No, you definitely weren’t among those I was referencing. Actually, I was referencing another board, where fans were talking like Melancon was going to be lock down this year. The expectations were unfair for the kid – no young player should be expected to be great right away. In any case, he’s very talented – that’s always a fine place to start. He struggled – it happens. I’m looking forward to seeing him progress and hopefully help this team.
To CR9:
If I am Matsui then you are Arn Tellem.
“I am not a great judge of character of Torre. His book and his former players are!” – You are perfectly correct.
Trisha
I lover your point Number 2. There is not even a remote chance he meant that about Alex.
trisha-I really want Matsui back too. It seems like the Yankees do want to bring him back. I don’t think he’ll go to Boston-those reports were shot down almost immediately. He’d really have no role there.
CR9, those 2 particular former players you mentioned have both had their character questioned numerous times. Torre and Wells had many run ins but could any of it been Boomer’s fault? Boomer was and lazy and Torre was always mad at him because he wouldn’t condition and would stay out drinking all night. Also during the time Torre was there Arod wasn’t exactly the team first guy thats he supposed to be now. Just saying there are two sides to every story
All is well. Trisha is back bashing Torre. Who is next on her list? Probably Posada who she “loves,” but we will have to wait for AJ’s next start in 2010 to hear her.
Erin, WEEI had reported that Boston was offering Sui a multi-year contract. I didn’t hear anything beyond that. So that was shot down as nothing but a rumor? That would thrill me. I thought it was true because why wouldn’t they want Sui? Look what he did in the postseason. He’s everything Ortiz isn’t, plus he was never suspected of taking steroids.
Interesting facts about our players in the World Series:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=4624943
One of the oldest lineups to win a WS.
Pettitte the 3rd oldest pitcher to win the clinching game of a WS.
Rumor heard on XM MLB radio-Crawford angry that Rays picked up his option.
If Matsui agrees to a one year deal, I see him back, but not at 2 years guaranteed.
I don’t think Damon will be back.
I don’t think Molina will be offered another one year contract. Cervelli backup? trade for Ryan Doumit, who apparently is being offered?
There will be a ton more FA’s to hit the market as teams non tender arbitration eligible players.
Trisha – you are certainly entitled to your opinion of Torre, but to say “I dont believe he even watched the WS” is silly. Yes,he watched it, as he even mentioned stuff about watching Matsui at bat and imagining the talk going on in the dugout…
“All is well. Trisha is back bashing Torre. Who is next on her list? Probably Posada who she “loves,” but we will have to wait for AJ’s next start in 2010 to hear her.”
Who’s next on my list? You, you whining crybaby. I’ll make sure to send you a supply of tranquilizers next time I decide to criticize any Yankee.
trisha-the last I heard, the rumors that Boston was interested in him were shot down. I guess the report came from Japan-where they got the “scoop” from is anybody’s guess.
“Trisha – you are certainly entitled to your opinion of Torre, but to say “I dont believe he even watched the WS” is silly. Yes,he watched it, as he even mentioned stuff about watching Matsui at bat and imagining the talk going on in the dugout…”
Seriously? Silly? I guess he couldn’t have caught any highlight reels or even read about it. Funny that other managers have said that they didn’t watch the WS once their teams were out of it but of course saint joe said he did so he must have. Okay.
Erin, that’s very good news.
If current Yankee players dislike Torre or what was written in his book, why show up at his charity dinner?
Why can’t people appreciate his accomplishments and World Series wins. It was time for the Yankees and Torre to part ways. Time to let it go and move on.
That rumor was probably leaked by Arn Tellum, trying to drum up interest in his client.
Trisha
I feel the same way you do regarding questioning Torre’s motives. After Torre betrayed his player’s confidence by writing a book using private conversations and observations, I dont see how any player can trust him again. I cant believe that he allowed a Red Sox hack like Verducci to co-write it with him.
If any of you read the Verducci/Torre book, a lot of the player information was written by Tom Verducci with much information gotten from David Cone.
The last few chapters mostly Torre’s words about Cashman essentially not backing him up at the meeting to decide to offer Torre two more years, and the image he portrayed of the Boss in declining health, were two areas that bothered me.
“Who’s next on my list? You, you whining crybaby. I’ll make sure to send you a supply of tranquilizers next time I decide to criticize any Yankee.”
Any Yankee? There are only 2. Former mgr Torre and current player Posada. Over, over and over again. You never stop. You are the one that need tranquilizers.
# trisha – OPPC forever – (new lucky picture from last day at the old Stadium) BRING ON THE GHOSTS! November 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
“Trisha – you are certainly entitled to your opinion of Torre, but to say “I dont believe he even watched the WS” is silly. Yes,he watched it, as he even mentioned stuff about watching Matsui at bat and imagining the talk going on in the dugout…”
Seriously? Silly? I guess he couldn’t have caught any highlight reels or even read about it. Funny that other managers have said that they didn’t watch the WS once their teams were out of it but of course saint joe said he did so he must have. Okay.
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Look, I dont want to start another Torre argument. But basically, I said its silly because you’re purely speculating here. Why would he lie about watching it? He has a very deep bond with the a lot of the yankee players and the yankees in general. Yes, he went through a rough patch with the organization, but at some point down the line all will be forgiven ( see: Yogi Berra) and Joe will be remembered as an an important part of the Yankee dynasty. Theres just no reason to knock the guy (in this instance ) and say hes lying about being happy for his former team.
And as for Matsui in Boston – my friends there are NOT happy about this development. Apparently there are talks about them actually playing Matsui in LF….?
Trisha, I probably dislike Torre as much as you do, but I believe him when he says that he watched the WS. Considering how close he still is to Jeter and company, it seems logical. Where he lost me was with his claim that he was happy for Alex. That I just don’t believe. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. If you truly dislike someone (everything points to Torre truly disliking Alex), you are not going to be happy for them when they achieve their ultimate or dream goal. That would be like a Yankee fan being happy that the Red Sox won the WS. If it doesn’t make sense, it ain’t true.
“I feel the same way you do regarding questioning Torre’s motives. After Torre betrayed his player’s confidence by writing a book using private conversations and observations, I dont see how any player can trust him again. I cant believe that he allowed a Red Sox hack like Verducci to co-write it with him.”
Jacob, absolutely. And his having Verducci “co-write” it gave him the plausible deniability he wanted. To me you have to be the lowest of the low to betray player confidences and to portray players in their weakest moments. But I guess he needed some revenge outlet since the Yankees didn’t offer him an inflated contract for having failed in the postseason 5 years in a row!
Rose, the players that showed up at Torre’s dinner are the players he’s close to.
I’m talked out on Torre…..
Erin, I’m not sure if you saw this last night, but I apologize if I made you feel badly for enjoying a little gossip. That definitely was not my intention…….
It would be interesting to see how Yankee fans react to Matsui if he were to go to BOS. I’d like to think that he wouldn’t want to play for them, but the truth is that the rivalry means much more to us than the players. They are going to go where the money is. If BOS offers Matsui the contract that he wants, he would probably go there. It doesn’t make sense to me since they already have a DH in Ortiz, but stranger things have happened.
“Any Yankee? There are only 2. Former mgr Torre and current player Posada. Over, over and over again. You never stop. You are the one that need tranquilizers.”
Yeah all of two. Wow. Maybe I need to find another team to root for.
Here’s a P.S. for you. If you don’t like it, skip the posts. And here’s another one. Joba will be a starter. Find someone else to send you kleenex.
“If current Yankee players dislike Torre or what was written in his book, why show up at his charity dinner?”
The ones he has always praised showed up and the ones he has ripped stayed away.
Not surprising who was there and who wasn’t except for possibly Girardi.
It may be as simple as previous plans or as complicated as a show of support for others who choose not to be there.
NYY626, you believe him? I don’t. I see that as simple.
“Yeah all of two. Wow. Maybe I need to find another team to root for.”
Why should you root for another team? You are such a baby. You just go on and on about Torre and Posada.
And I think Joba is great in the pen. But if the Yankees use him as a starter so be it. I won’t be going on and on and on about how he should be a starter.
Gammons has spotted a new future HOF player in the Red Soxs farm system
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http://sports.espn.go.com/bost.....id=4654348
“Why should you root for another team? You are such a baby. You just go on and on about Torre and Posada.”
Awwww. Tell me how I should feel about them and what I should say and then I will. Because this is all about how it makes you feel. Okey dokey?
“Awwww. Tell me how I should feel about them and what I should say and then I will.”
I know how you feel about them. You say the same things about Torre and Posada over, over, over, over and over again. Like a dog with a bone, you can never let it go.
Here is a VERY suspicious photo of Gammons talking up the Red Sox farm system.
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/3398/gammons.jpg
To Laura – Bring Matsui back in 2010!:
Matsui is not going to Boston. After all he is a star in New York not some sort of blog roller to switch sides at first sight.
I don’t know what it is but everytime I see Torre now, I get this yuck feeling. I can’t forget what he did, major jerk move. Always in the Yankees fam for what he was apart of during the dynasty years but good riddance.