Sunday, October 08, 2006

Back For A Quick Hit...Torre Awaits The Ax...

DETROIT - "Despite an 11-season run that will put him in the Hall of Fame, Joe Torre has probably spent his last day in a Yankee uniform after last night's stunning 8-3 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

After winning four World Series titles in his first five seasons but failing to win the Fall Classic over the past six, Torre is expected to be fired, sources said, and his replacement is expected to be former Yankee Lou Piniella."

I've been begging for this for the past 4 years. Under Torre, the Yankees felt they could take time off, mail a game or two or three in anytime they wanted. Can't do that in professional sports because such malaise can be impossible to reverse, as the Yanks proved in dropping 3 to the Tigers after easily beating them the first game. They lose concentration, sleepwalk at the plate, around the bases, in the field, and have been doing so since they came to the conclusion that the manager would shrug it off to be human.

Sorry, but human isn't what we pay for. Life-sized doesn't hack it. We watch sports, and go to movies, and read books seeking to experience the unattainable. Things we cannot do. The higher one stands above average the more the rewards as well as expectations. I'm more of a Bobby Valentine fan than a Pinella supporter, but let's face it, you or I could have done as well with a $220 million dollar payroll, and any experienced manager is an upgrade over Torre.

And Alex Rodriguez has proved that he cannot thrive in New York so it's time to get a bunch of talented kids for him. He'll waive the no-trade clause in his contract if management let's it be known that this is being done for the good of the team because Alex comes first to Alex and he'd never stick around and tarnish his already creaky halo by being labelled a selfish player. His overall talent is the best in baseball, but his head can be the worst. Plain and simple, the pinstripes make him spit the bit, and he has to know this.

Sparkplug kids like Melky Cabrerra need to play every day to keep the veterans honest, and with so potent a lineup the team can afford a soft hitting but slick fielding 3rd baseman. If Sheffield is indeed recovered from his injuries then sure, teach him 1st base during the off season but he looked ridiculous after a crash course in 1st sacking. You don't learn a position during the playoffs, but this goes back to Torre and his inability to understand that the team plays for the paying customers, not for ANY individual.

Dump Torre, shore up the defense and pitching. The means are readily available and George Steinbrenner will do so this time.

PS: Take it easy on my fill-in while I get my legs back under me.

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