Today was the big meeting where Joe Torre's fate was supposed to be decided. The reporters gathered outside the gates of Steinbrenner's Tampa mansion, and the Yankee faithful waited with bated breath...but the meeting ended with no decision made. The smoke is still black. The cardinals are still arguing. A Pope has not been chosen.
But I have to think this is good news for Torre. If they were going to cut him loose, they'd have done it by now...wouldn't they?
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I like Torre. On the other hand, I think it may be time for him to go, just because he's been there for so long. Someone - was it Bill James? - did a study and found that managers are most effective in their first two or three years on the job. The reason, supposedly, is that when you're new, you can see what's wrong, and do what it takes to fix it. Once you've been there for years, that becomes a lot harder. You no longer see what's wrong with the team. And even if you do, your loyalties may make it hard to do what you have to do. (Think Torre sticking with Bernie Williams years past his sell-by date.)
I don't blame Torre for this disappointing season. I just think it may be time for some fresh blood in the manager's office.
Labels: Yankees
