Should Joe Torre be fired?

Question

He won 4 world series, and straightened out a team that was aging before our eyes. The bottom line is Steinbrenner is the one who wanted the 82 yr old Randy Johnson, and injury prone Carlos Pavano and Giambi. Isn't this more George's fault than Joe's?

After last night when he put in Wang on three days rest I change my vote. Let him go. He did it last year and the year before and it never works. We had Mussina right there and rested. Let the senile man go, let's see if we can find something else that works. But let A-rod, Giambi, Pavano, and some of those guys to. Where is Paul O'Neil and Tino Martinez when you need them?

Answer 1

No He has done a lot for the Yankees

Answer 2

I think Torre should quit and tell "the boss" to go scratch. But he is a gentleman who loves his players and the team. Each year, for the past 4 - we keep hearing about Torre possibly being let go. And that is all orchestrated by Steinbrenners PR team - to take the blame away from the players, Cashman and his poor, outrageous decisions. Yankees haven't won a ring in over 7 years now - and have been embarrassed a few times - while wasting billions to not win that ring, yet we keep hearing about the "dynasty" of the Yankees. Sure, they have the most Championships in the history - but for all that money and top brass positions - they have resulted in the same as 31 other teams each year - no ring. Plus who the hell could do a better job than Torre? Lou Pinelli perhaps - but even he as a great coach cannot hold the jockstrap to Torre. The dark horse is most likely Girardi, considering his accomplishments last year with a total team salary of 2 Yankee players - and a fan base that rivals a womens soccer team. (no disrespect to womens soccer) And to the Yankee cryass fans - Torre is the best thing since sliced bread for you idiots. Since Steinbrenner bought the team - how many rings do you have? Then tell me who was the manager for the majority. If you think Torre is the reason Rivera has a shot arm, or Abreau is batting .235, or the starting rotation of Seton Hall is better you are fools. You have a phenominal offense - and horrible pitching rotation, middle relievers and closer who is over the hill. That is why you share the basement in the AL East and will continue to. Plus the Yankees got away from their winning formula of building from within the farm system to give millions to aging players or 1 off contracts in desperation. You reap what you sow... And Michael - your comparison is inane. If a company has an owner or CEO who calls all the shots - he takes the fall, but will conveniently fire anyone they choose to fire, due to the lack of integrity and poor self esteem. Steinbrenner cannot have it both ways. HE chose to get rid of Sheffield and put all his support publically on Abraeu, just 1 fine example of piss poor ownership. Cody - Its Brian Cashman and he doesnt call the shots - he negotiates what the Boss tells him to do, like a good minion, hence his contract extension last year. And I could buy any player with an unlimited bank account.

Answer 3

As a Red Sox fan - I say fire him. I like to see nothing more than the animals get all stirred up in the Bronx Zoo.

The Yankees have to learn how to pick talent on this side of the steroid era. Look at Colorado and Arizona, granted it's the national league but they are kicking butt with young talent that is running circles around the old bastards.

The Yankee's are an old team. The best thing they have going for them is the young guys like Chamberlain that came up through their system.

It's not Torre's fault if they lose. If I was Joe, I'd hope they do lose. George still has to pay him and Joe will be set to retire. Joe is to nice a guy to put up with that BS.

Answer 4

Steinbrenner is full of it. No way should Joe Torre be fired. Fired for what? Taking a team that was struggling in the beginning of the season and leading them to one of the best records in the majors? If Steinbrenner would actually THINK about what he is doing, them maybe the Yankees would finally win another World Series

Answer 5

No, for the reasons you mentioned. He has been in the playoffs 12 straight years. Once the team gets in, it really is up to the players for the most part.

Look at the other supposed "great managers" of the game: Bobby Cox, LaRussa, Piniella, etc. and you will see a very spotty record of postseason performance, not even close to Torre's.

People were lionizing Leyland last year, and his very talented young team didn't even make the playoffs this year.

What happened to Ozzie Guillen's supposed great skill at handling all the young talent on the White Sox? No repeat after '05, not even close, absolutely terrible this year.

And I don't know that Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi or whoever they would hire to replace him is at all ready to manage this team. I highly doubt that they would make the playoffs every year like Torre has.

Answer 6

Yes and no. OK, the man makes 7 million a year, and the team is a team full of future hall of famers, and can't win the division or sweep another team. If you look at the beginning of the last two seasons, where they've been horrid, and what they've done in the last few years...yes He should be fired. But if you look at his overall performance with the team in the last ten years has been great, including 4 championships. Do you stick with a guy whos been worn down, even when he's not the one pulling strings? Personally, I'm a Sox fan, so you know the blood there, but he should retire, let a younger manager come in with a better ability to talk/relate to these guys. Just my two cents though

Answer 7

No way! Joe Torre is the classiest guy in MLB and probably the only guy who can control all those raging egos in the Yankee clubhouse. He is a voice of reason in that maelstrom known as New York and he should stay as long as he wants. It is demeaning that Steinbrenner has threatened to fire him if they lose to Cleveland. Steinbrenner needs to fire himself, in much the same way Al Davis needs to. Cashman should be fired for being a no-talent, spineless patsy. I would like to see Mattingly groomed for Torre's job but I doubt that he is ready yet. I am an A's fan but I am pulling for the Yankees this year!

Answer 8

IF the Yankees dont make it to the World Series or at least win it - no. If they do? Yes.

Its not all Torres fault - the bullpen was terrible the entire season. So was the pitching this postseason!

Ah well, we need to get some more fresh blood in the Yankees.

Answer 9

George Steinbrenner needs to accept some of the blame himself, but will he? Joe Torre needs to stay put. :)

Answer 10

No. Aging pitching and overpaid 10m+/yr players that don't always seem to be focused are the reasons for recent playoff losses and the poor showing in the first half. Upper management created that problem.

Answer 11

No. He should resign and give someone else a chance. George will then realise what a great manager Torre was.