By Craig P. Dixon, southcoast247.com correspondent . Social Commentary 132
October 20th, 2007
Columbus Day weekend was a good one. The Sox swept the Angels in convincing fashion. The Pats downed the Browns by 17 points. Then, there was the quote from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner on manager Joe Torre….
"His job is on the line." George said. "I think we're paying him a lot of money. He's the highest-paid manager in baseball, so I don't think we'd take him back if we don't win this series.
Then Monday came along. The Indians beat the Yanks 6-4, sending the Bombers to the links. Now, Furious George's promised axing of Joe Torre had to come to fruition. It just had to. My heart leapt with excitement for the prospect of utter chaos in the mega-est metropolis in the US.
I had visions of Poor Joe Torre awaiting a train at Penn Station. Clad in a fedora and topcoat. Clutching a dingy suitcase in his weathered paw. Longing warmer, friendlier climes. Posada, Jeter, A-Rod, Clemens, Pettitte, and a half dozen others were along with him. All looked dismayed and concerned. I was overjoyed.
Then, a day passed. Then another, without Furious George's announcement of Torre's proverbial kicking to the curb. The firing. The big talk. It was all too good to be true.
Finally, a press release mentioned that George would meet Joe in a week to discuss the future. Common sense had come to the Yanks front office. They were on damage control. And someone had to go.
That someone, it seems, is Furious George, not Hey Joe Torre. And it's the best move the Yanks have made in a decade.
'I'd like to say it was nice knowing you. But I'd be lying.'
Torre is, by far, the best manager in baseball. In 12 years with the Yankees, he's taken them to 12 playoffs and 4 World Series titles in the most competitive division in the Major Leagues.
On the other hand, Furious George just hasn't been himself. He's been battling rumors of senility for the better half of a decade now. These last comments about Joe, and the obvious "hands off" approach taken to them by the Yankees administration, sealed his fate.
George no longer has decision-making power in The Big Apple. His sons, Hank and Hal, will share his former duties, and move George to a figurehead, "chairman of the board" type position.
One old man's gone. The other stays.
Both can spend fall watching the Sox in the playoffs from the comfort of their own homes. See you next spring, Joe.
Columbus Day weekend was a good one. The Sox swept the Angels in convincing fashion. The Pats downed the Browns by 17 points. Then, there was the quote from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner on manager Joe Torre….
