Heard on ESPN that now Torre will stay. Makes sense...all you can do as a manager is to get your players to the dance...once they get there, they are on their own. Jeez, Torre can't pitch or hit for the team. I'm not a big Yankee fan...but I like Torre - classy guy.
Torre will continue as Yanks manager
Steinbrenner informs skipper he'll return for 2007
By Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Joe Torre will continue to be manager of the New York Yankees.
"I just got off the phone with George Steinbrenner and he told me I'll be the manager next year," Torre said Tuesday during a gathering with reporters at Yankee Stadium.
Thus ended three days of speculation about the future of Torre, who has managed the Yankees to four World Series titles and six American League pennants in 11 seasons.
"I'm very excited about it," Torre said. "This has been the best job of my life."
It appeared that Torre might take the fall for a second consecutive early exit from the playoffs, which occcurred when the Yankees were beaten three games to one by the Detroit Tigers in the Division Series.
"I spoke to Joe Torre today and I told him, 'You're back for the year. I expect a great deal from you and the entire team. I have high expectations and I want to see enthusiasm, a fighting spirit and a team that works together. The responsibility is yours, Joe, and all of the Yankees,'" Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, said in a statement.
"Yes, I am deeply disappointed about our loss this year, we have to do better. And I deeply want a championship. It's about time."
Steinbrenner spent the past two days in a Manhattan hotel, listening to several of his baseball people weigh in on Torre's future.
General manager Brian Cashman, who has not commented publicly since Saturday night, is believed to have lobbied on Torre's behalf, and the New York Daily News reported Tuesday that captain Derek Jeter is believed to have called Steinbrenner to support Torre as well. The New York Post reported that Torre and Steinbrenner may have spoken on Monday, too.
"I haven't made up my mind yet," Steinbrenner told reporters on Monday as he departed his hotel and headed back to Tampa.
The Daily News also reported Tuesday that Steinbrenner's son-in-law, Steve Swindal, who is a Yankees general partner and Steinbrenner's appointed successor, is expected to arrive in New York on Tuesday to begin brainstorming with team officials about changes that need to be made this winter.