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Oct 8, 2007 

Torre Should Quit Either Way

ULTIMATUM OR NOT THE YANKEES NEED A NEW DIRECTION

A man who has won four World Series, six pennants, and 12 division titles in 13 years doesn't deserve a win or see you later ultimatum.

But, that's what George Steinbrenner did to Yanks manager Joe Torre after the Bombers lost the first two games of the AL Division Series to Cleveland. The Yankees saved Torre's job Sunday by beating the Tribe 8-4, but that isn't the point and the psychological ploy "The Boss" unleashed on the team's clubhouse barely showed a ripple.

Most know Steinbrenner as Pattonian purely in his own eyes. He fancies himself as the maverick general using every motivational tool to keep the troops moving forward. It's an act New York hasn't seen in a couple years because of his failing health and if successful Steinbrenner will take ownership of more than the team but of the success. The only thing is that Yankees are not going to comeback and beat the Indians not because of the ploy, the coach or the opponent, but because the Yankees are in a transition period that is not in line with winning and making money in the Big Apple.

The truth is Torre should go, but not in such a thankless and rude manner. To his credit he knows what working for Steinbrenner is like by saying, "But the fact of the matter is, it’s what goes with the territory. It’s really not a lot of difference than in the past. If I get caught up in that, I’m really going to have a tough time doing my job, and I don’t think that’s right."

The Yankees have not won the World Series since 2000 not because of Torre's managerial skills, but of a reliance and loyalty to older (expensive) players who were either in their prime during the title years or free-agent signing meant to cover deficiencies in the farm system.

Resigning Roger Clemens this year is not the way doing business if you want to win over the long haul. Pitchers like Mike Mussina make too much and retain too high a presence in the rotation when their value is rated by the past and not the present. Doubling up on star players who play the same position as was the case last year when Gary Sheffield was brought aboard when they already had Bobby Abreu waste money and cause animosity in the clubhouse.

The future is not bleak for the Yankees, but it's not rooted in the Yankees of old. General Manager Brian Cashman while paying unwise contracts to underperforming stars has also pumped life into the farm system and the logical next step for most team's is to begin rebuilding with that new crop of pinstrippers starting with a new manager.

In the past two seasons, they have developed Melky Cabrera, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes with other prime prospects poised to make it to Gotham. Whether they stay with it or revert to picking up the Sheffield's of the baseball world is another story.

Many forecast Don Mattingly becoming Torre's successor, but winning in the future lies surer in the hands of former Florida manager Joe Girardi. Most of the conjecture around Mattingly's ascent is attributed to Steinbrenner's hand in bringing in the popular first-sacker from the 1980s, but it's unclear if Steinbrenner's clout still rules over the ownership group. Girardi has already proven very successful with winning with young talent in Florida. Then again, he also lost his job after winning Manager of the Year when he clashed with the owner. If you can't get along with Jeffrey Loria how can you live with Steinbrenner?

Nonetheless, Girardi is a former Yankee catcher and protege of Torre far more proven than the sweet-swinging Mattingly whose coaching resume consists of leading a Yankee offense that's tops in the league in hitting. But, really, how hard is that to do when you have Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Derek Jeter and, well, I could name the entire lineup.

Either way, today could be the last game for Joe Torre in New York. If you're a Yankee-hater you should root against the hiring of Girardi or risk ruining the next four or five October's watching them in the World Series.

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