Yankees reactions to Torre and Mattingly
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Sep 18, 2010 
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Out on the other coast, Joe Torre is stepping down and Don Mattingly is stepping in. Torre will leave the Dodgers at the end of this season, and Mattingly will take over as manager, his first managerial experience at any level.
Of course, there was reaction from the Yankees.
On Joe Torre…
Brian Cashman: “Joe Torre the manager is already enshrined in history with us. The memories of him with the Yankees will go on forever. Just because he didn’t resign a new contract doesn’t change the fact that he was as successful and great a manager as he was for us. He’s going to be a Hall of Famer, and he’ll go in with a Yankees cap. He’s welcome here any time.”
Derek Jeter: “I’m happy that he gets an opportunity to do it when he wants to do it. It goes without saying how much he’s meant to the game of baseball, not only as a player but as a manager, here and other places as well. I’m happy he’s decided to do it and I wish him the best.”
Joe Girardi: “I know that he had talked about it. It’ll be interesting to see how he feels in December and if he stays retired. Joe’s been doing it a long time and I’m sure there’s other things he wants to do with his life. I’m not surprised by it. I don’t think I would have been surprised either way, because I know how much he loves managing and I know how much he loves his family. He’s been a great manager for a long time.”
On Don Mattingly…
Brian Cashman: “He’s obviously a great baseball man. We had him here forever as a player. He was one of the most talented hitting people you will ever come across. He’s got an awesome demeanor. He was a candidate for our managerial opening. I’m happy for Donnie. It’s something that he wanted for a long time. He worked hard (and) put himself in a position to do that. For him, I’m glad that it’s paying off for him. They made a great choice.”
Jorge Posada: “His work ethic showed me a lot about Donnie. I couldn’t believe it that Don Mattingly was my hitting coach to tell you the truth. I was a big fan of Donnie growing up. He’d be there at 1 o’clock in the afternoon trying to get us better. It was special for me… Communicating. That’s why I think as a manager he’s going to be good. Things that made him real, real good as a hitter, he remembered those things and tried to tweak my swing a little bit. He tried to get me to get on top of the ball a little bit more. He really corrected my swing a lot.”
Andy Pettitte: “You hate to see (Torre) get out of the game obviously, and not be managing, but it’s a great opportunity for Donnie. As strange as it was to see him in a Dodgers uniform, it will be even be stranger now to see him manage over in that organization. I wish him all the best. I think I’ll do a great job. He’s had a great guy to see and work under, that’s for sure. I’m sure he’ll do a wonderful job for them. I wish him the best.”
Associated Press photo of Torre and Mattingly
nice comments. pat, there’s a note for u in the last thread.
I doubt that Torre stays out of baseball very long. If not managing, then probably in PR with the Cards, Braves or Mets. I should imagine that it’s too soon for Hal Steinbrenner to bring him back into the Yankee family, given the ending, but, you can never underestimate what he will do.
as far as Mattingly, I’d like to see what he can do on his own. Let him get his OJT with another team and if he’s successful, bring him back to NYY.
I just hope Torre and the Steinbrenner family can resolve their separation for both parties concern as well as the Yankee fanbase.
As far as Mattingly, I expect him to wear a Yankee uniform again one day.
Torre belongs with the Yankees. And Cash’s comments are as close to an olive branch as ur going to see.
Classy comments from Cash on Joe………….
M,
I think Torre has reached out to the Steinbrenner family, probably right after George’s passing. He needed to make the first step so we’ll see what happens next.
Also, I’m hoping that Cash and Torre have talked to clear the air.
m
Ok. I see a comparison of steroid use and a “HPB” as more of an apples to oranges comparison.
Juxtaposing a picture of AJ Pierzynski and DJ and exploring why one was perceived as cheating and the other perceived of gamesmanship would have been a more apples to apples comparison. It also would have made for a more interesting debate IMO.
GB – hope you’re well today.
I think an unspoken reason behind Torre leaving the Dodgers is the chaos there, both in terms of ownership/finances, and the team. He seems to have lost his touch with players such as Kemp, Ethier; though I’m obviously just an observer, there seems to be some problems with two of their most talented players. And, given their financial issues, there’s also the question of payroll and team composition going forward. Not too appetizing for Torre, esp. at this point in his career.
Depending on how much he likes the idea of making more money for managing will determine whether he takes a another managing gig, with all it’s hassles. I’m sure he could turn a pretty penny by writing, doing inspirational talks, ESPN/MLBN, that sort of thing. And it would be a lot less of a grind than managing.
I absolutely cannot see him going to the Mets. They’re all into cutting payroll over in Flushing. And talk about dysfunctional….
I see Torre doing some television work for MLBN. I’ll be shocked if it’s ESPN, but I can see him working for MLBN.
Cashman has seperated his personal and professional feelings about Joe Torre from the day the book was published.
That ^ comment is from Brian Cashman, GM NY Yankees and the same one he has always issued on the subject.
Brian Cashman, “civilian”, might have different feelings that he would probably prefer to keep to himself.
Maybe, but I think all of us are too far removed from that situation to really know that.
Bud’s replacement- Joe Torre?
Increase in pay, ceremonial ring kissing and lots of media and sponsor schmoozing.
I have no doubt that Cashman’s personal feelings are different……….
Lots of “we” and “us” and no “I” in Cashman’s statement. He’s speaking on behalf of the Yankee organization, not on behalf of Brian Cashman.
“Lots of “we” and “us” and no “I” in Cashman’s statement. He’s speaking on behalf of the Yankee organization, not on behalf of Brian Cashman.”
There was bad blood with the Steinbrenner sons, Levine, Trost and Cashman so if there is a thawing out of the hostilities then using those words are the appropriate ones.
Lets not kid ourselves – Torre realized his “magic” wasn’t working – and by magic I mean the McCourts divorce didn’t allow them to get Torre the best available players so he could sleepwalk through the season and add to his stats that the yankees got him – and decided to “retire” with the caveat that “if something else interesting pops up he’ll consider it” aka – “if Joe Maddon or charlie manuel decide they don’t want to manage anymore I’ll take that job because with that pitching staff and lineup winning is easy”
he’s a below average fraud of a manager that lucked out big time with the yankees…why do you think he waited so long to annouce his retirement? because he wanted to see how this team responded WITHOUT getting extra help from the GM and Owner like he’s been accustomed to since 1996 (Ted Lilly being the exception) –
speaking of Ted Lilly has anyone heard that the yankees won the waiver claim on him and are trying to work out a deal to get him to NY as well as trying to find a loophole where he can play in the postseason – that would be HUGE…
A day late and a dollar short.
Yankees can take the high ground now. They have the leverage in the personal/media battle w/ Torre. They have won a championship post-Joe Torre era. While Joe threatened to win a series of his own – and many Yankees media haters wanted this like Lupica – he ultimately could not get it done. 2008 could have been a nightmare scenario for the Yankees w/ Torre vs. the Red Sox – the PR hit would have been devastating, especially coming off the failure that was the 2008 season and closing the old park in such disappointing fashion with an average season.
In the end, Torre got two trips to the NLCS, one frustrating season this year as the child in the middle of the messy McCourt divorce, and a few Subway commercials out of his tenure with the Dodgers. He could not satisfactorily win the public PR battle post his breakup with the Yankees. This frustrates people like Lupica to no end as they originally fanned the flames of this very public PR war. They have gone quiet since their guy Torre came up short.
In the end, Torre will take the Mets job if offered. He needs vindication against the Yankees and their front office (i.e. the Randy Levines of the world). He needs it – b/c until he does, his PR pride and his lost PR battle with the Yankees – will continue to leave a sour taste in his mouth, especially in retirement. Torre will be back if the Mets offer him the position. Remember – Joe showed his true colors in the press conference announcing he was not coming to the Yankees by calling a 5 million dollar offer “insulting,” and by placing his name on Verducci’s book and implicitly endorsing the contents of said book.
Interesting, interesting, interesting – all of this talk about the Yanks not going after Carl Crawford – can people please cite to a source that says the Yankees will not pursue Carl Crawford, i.e. the type of athletic ballplayer they have been salivating after since after 2008 season, and Cashman signed his three year extension. I am curious as to what sources or newspapers have said the Yankees will not pursue Carl Crawford. Now, if this is just opinion, well, that carries no evidentiary weight.
Joe from LI, doing really well here in the heat of the summer. Thanks for asking. Hope that you have the grill cleaned and ready to go for your “young nephew’s” moving home with you. Hoping at all is well with you and Mrs. Long Island as well.
I’m thinking that we may be seeing the last of the age 70 plus year old managers. The newer wave that’s more in tune with technology and the information that it produces instead of the “seat of your pants” managing is taking over. Not so sure that’s for the best. I don’t like a machine that tells the manager when to take out a pitcher, who hit where…
The days of Stengel, Houk and Walter Alston are going fast.
It’s all about the money. I doubt the broke-McCourts would throw torre another contract where he’s making close to $5 mill per year.
He made such a big deal over the last yankee contract being an “insult” he couldn’t suffer another “insult” of a contract that didn’t include a pay raise. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knows he didn’t look good throwin a tantrum over millions of dollars during a recession. So to avoid another specter, he “retired”.
I’m sure if the cubs “insult” Torre with a 3yr-$13million contract, he’ll come out of “retirement”.
Cashman’s comments on Torre were of course politically correct and vetted by his common sense. The way he treated him after the 2007 season speaks a lot louder then empty words. The one-year contract that was offered represented a 30 percent pay cut and was insulting. When Torre asked Cashman about his role, Cashman’s said he had given no opinion as to whether the Steinbrenners should give Torre a two-year deal to return. He betrayed Torre.
It may have been Torre’s time to leave – but he was treated like crap. I guess that’s what 4 World Championships, 6 Pennants and finishing first in your division 10 out 12 years gets you.
When did Torre’s 6 year consulting contract with the Yankees, which Cot’s says he signed in 2004 when his managerial contract with the Yankees was extended through 2007, begin and end? Why won’t any reporter ask Torre or Cashman this question?
PeterBotte Swisher and Posada in Yankees lineup. Teixeira is out. Berkman hitting third and playing first.
Of course, Torre’s treatment/behavior towards the players that weren’t “his boys” or back stabbing snitches like Giambi didn’t have anything to do with that change in attitude.
Good news on Swish
“When did Torre?s 6 year consulting contract with the Yankees, which Cot?s says he signed in 2004 when his managerial contract with the Yankees was extended through 2007, begin and end? Why won?t any reporter ask Torre or Cashman this question?”
It began on the flight from NY to Tampa in October 2007.
It ended on the flight home the same day.
Before 2009 season – Andy Pettitte was asked to take a pay cut. He did not hold a press conference and call it insulting. He took the deal. He took it b/c he wanted to be a Yankee – he knew what it meant.
Joe Torre thought he was big or just as big an icon as the franchise. He was wrong. Winning the 2009 season helped the Yankees and their fans move beyond 2004 ALCS, move beyond the Torre divorce and press conference, and the possible 2008 postseason nightmare of watching Torre vs. the Red Sox. They survived a huge PR hit.
Another thing, job performance should factor into pay. Torre was just not delivering – you can blame the lack of pitching – the aging players – but he took credit and advertisement deals when things were going good – he had to have known he had to take the bad.
The Yankees are the toughest gig in town, in sport to manage – when things are going well – there is nothing better BUT when things go wrong – well – just look at the message boards during a losing streak (or this past week). There are consequences for not delivering the WS title and several first round exits – even for Torre.
Torre chose his own pride over the pride of still being associated with the Yankees.
Take note Derek Jeter, no one is bigger than the organization or the history of the organization or the interlocking NY and pinstripes.
pat September 18th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
PeterBotte Swisher and Posada in Yankees lineup. Teixeira is out. Berkman hitting third and playing first
———————————————————————————————————————-
Good to see Swisher back in there along with Berkman giving Teixeira a breather. He hasn’t hit well in Baltimore in 2 years. Not sure about Berkman hitting #3, but, not sure who should be, either. Under a normal rest, I’d probably have Swisher hitting 3rd or 5th and switching with Cano, but no way of knowing how Swisher will hit, either. My picks to click are Cano, Posada and Rodriguez.
Poor Donnie Torre knows the dodger situation is a mess which is why he is leaving. He still wants to manage. He’s probably hoping to get the cardinal or cub job. Glad the yanks let him go. Its nice not having a manager who blows out the bullpen arms every year.
It would be something if Torre asked the hall to go in without any insignia or to go in as a Brave or Cardinal or even as a Dodger.
Girardi is making the right lineup move today IMO. Teixeira needs a spell because of his toe and Berkman has been hitting well.