Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner Dies at 80

George Steinbrenner, who rebuilt the New York Yankees into a sports empire with a mix of bluster and big bucks that polarized fans all across America, died Tuesday. He had just celebrated his 80th birthday July 4.

Just a few days after the legendary Bob Sheppard passes away, "The Boss" passes away as well. R.I.P. George. You will be missed.

Joe Torre goes from Yankee Blue to Dodger Blue

Joe Torre grew up in Brooklyn rooting against the Dodgers. Now, a half-century after they moved west, he's their manager.

Torre was hired by Los Angeles to succeed Grady Little on Thursday, taking the job two weeks after walking away from the New York Yankees.

The winningest manager in postseason history, Torre moved from one storied franchise to another, agreeing to a three-year, $13 million contract. He becomes the Dodgers' eighth manager since they left his hometown, where he rooted for the rival New York Giants.

"As a kid growing up, you didn't like them," Torre said on WFAN radio in New York less than an hour before the hiring was announced. "As a player, to me the Dodgers were the Yankees of the National League because ... you either loved them or you hated them."

The 67-year-old Torre will be introduced at a news conference Monday at Dodger Stadium. Little resigned Tuesday after completing two seasons of a three-year deal.

Torre joins the Dodgers for their 50th anniversary season in Los Angeles, hoping to spur October success.

Favored to win the NL West this year, the Dodgers finished fourth. They have only one playoff victory since winning the 1988 World Series under Tom Lasorda.

"I'm so happy for him. I think his record speaks for itself," said Lasorda, a special adviser to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. "I think what he accomplished with the Yankees, he should have been able to control his destiny.

"We're happy that he's here — very happy."

Torre guided the Yankees to four World Series championships from 1996-2000, and they made the playoffs in all 12 years he managed them. New York lost to Cleveland last month, eliminated in the first round for the third straight year.

Following that defeat, the Yankees offered Torre a one-year contract with a pay cut. He earned $7.5 million last season — more than any other big-league manager by far.

Calling the performance incentives in the proposal "an insult," Torre turned it down. He was hired by the Dodgers on the same day the Yankees introduced Joe Girardi as their manager.

The Dodgers had the NL's best record in mid-July. During their late-season slide, problems surfaced between older and younger players on the team, prompting criticism of Little.

"I think he's going to do a good job in the clubhouse because he's got great leadership abilities," Lasorda said of Torre. "He knows how to handle a ballclub."

Since Lasorda left during the 1996 season after suffering a heart attack, the Dodgers are 1-9 in three playoff appearances. One of those was in 2006 — Little's first year as manager — when the Dodgers won the NL wild-card with an 88-74 record but were swept by the New York Mets in the first round of the playoffs.

Torre ranks eighth on baseball's career list with 2,067 victories. He also managed the New York Mets, St. Louis and Atlanta but won only one division title in the NL, in 1982 with the Braves.

He passed former Dodgers managers Leo Durocher (2,009) and Walter Alston (2,040) last season on the career wins list. His teams have won 76 postseason games.

"Few managers in the history of the game have accomplished what Joe has delivered," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "Throughout his career he has demonstrated the ability to turn a vision for success into results on the field and we welcome his passion and leadership. We have tremendous fans and they deserve no less."

Teams are generally directed to interview at least one minority candidate for open managerial jobs. The Dodgers were granted an exemption by commissioner Bud Selig, however, because of a strong track record on minority hirings.

Earlier this week, the Dodgers acknowledged they talked to Girardi about potentially replacing Little. Colletti said he did so because he was aware Little was leaning toward stepping down.

Don Mattingly, Torre's bench coach this year, is likely to join his mentor in Los Angeles as the bench coach. Mattingly lost out to Girardi for the Yankees' managerial job.

Torre completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract with the Yankees this season. He made $7.5 million this year — the highest salary among major league managers — and the Yankees offered $5 million for next year with an additional $3 million in performance bonuses.

"Joe Torre is one of the most respected men in the game of baseball," McCourt said. "As a player, a broadcaster, a manager and in his life off the field, Joe is a winner through and through."

McCourt said on the season's last day that Little would return as manager next season. In resigning Tuesday, Little insisted it had nothing to do with reports that the Dodgers were talking to Torre.

With his track record, Torre seems destined to follow Alston and Lasorda into the Hall of Fame.

"There's definitely a locker waiting for him in Cooperstown, that's for sure," Lasorda said. "I've known him for close to 30 years and we've been good friends."

Wow. What a wierd Sports Day. On the same day that Joe Girardi is announced as Yankee Manager, his mentor, Joe Torre, was announced as Dodgers Manager.

The New Joe Era Is Announced At Yankee Stadium

Joe Girardi stepped to the podium, put on his new pinstriped jersey and showed off a most appropriate number — 27.


As in, now it's his job to lead the New York Yankees to their 27th World Series championship.

"How many do they have?" the new manager said Thursday, knowing full well the answer. In fact, that's precisely why he picked the number.

Girardi's name and picture were displayed on the scoreboard at Yankee Stadium for his introductory news conference. The team did its best to make him feel welcome, with general manager Brian Cashman presenting Girardi's wife, Kim, with a bouquet of roses.

"This is where we wanted to end up," Girardi said.

Girardi made it more of a family affair with a story about his father, who he said has Alzheimer's.

Steadying himself, Girardi said his dad hadn't spoken for a month. That is, until a caregiver showed his father a picture of Girardi being chosen as the Yankees manager.

"Oh, yeah," Girardi said his dad responded.

Girardi got a three-year contract. He said he had spoken to Joe Torre, who managed the Yankees to 12 straight postseason appearances. He also spoke with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"He was very congratulatory," Girardi said. "He said: `It's great to have you aboard.'"

After New York lost in the first round of the playoffs to Cleveland, Torre rejected a one-year contract with a pay cut.

"Joe had always been a person I always looked up to, respected," Girardi said. "We had a great conversation."

Girardi played, coached and broadcast for the team. He was the bench coach before leaving for the Florida Marlins, where he was the 2006 NL Manager of the Year.

Girardi said he'd spoken with former Yankees great Don Mattingly, who was Torre's bench coach last year. Mattingly wanted the manager's job and after finding out he hadn't been picked, he said he was not interested in a coaching spot for next year.

"I would've loved to have had him," Girardi said.

Girardi played for the Yankees and won three World Series championships as a hard-nosed catcher.

"The four greatest years of my career as a baseball player," he said.

The former Yankees broadcaster now gets the big office off the clubhouse, hoping he's the last occupant before the ballpark closes after next season.

This was the first introduction of a new Yankees manager at the ballpark since Torre was presented on Nov. 2, 1995. The following day the Daily News ran a backpage banner headline that became famous: "CLUELESS JOE" followed in smaller type by: "TORRE HAS NO IDEA WHAT HE'S GETTING INTO."

Torre went on to lead the Yankees to four World Series titles in his first five seasons, joining Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel — Hall of Famers all — as the most successful managers in team history.

Torre didn't win the World Series in the following seven seasons. He chose to walk away when Steinbrenner and team management did not offer a contract Torre found satisfactory.

Girardi received a $7.8 million, three-year contract, nearly four times the $2.1 million, three-year deal the Marlins gave him before the 2006 season for his first managing job. That agreement called for annual salaries of $600,000, $700,000 and $800,000, but Girardi was fired after one season when he clashed with management.

He led a young Florida team to a 78-84 record, keeping the Marlins in contention. His Yankees contract includes a signing bonus of $300,000 payable over three years, annual salaries of $2.5 million and the chance to earn performance bonuses.

Girardi pushed his Marlins hard. Will he have to alter his style in a clubhouse filled with veterans used to Torre's laissez-faire approach? And what about dealing with George Steinbrenner?

"I still think the Boss is the boss," he said. "I've always enjoyed my times dealing with him."

While I do not think the Yankees will make the playoffs or win the World Series during Girardi's tenure, Joe is thinking as big as Yankee Nation. Yankee Nation is hoping Girardi has better luck with the Yankees than he did with the payroll slim Florida Marlins. Alex Rodriguez is not coming back to the Yankees. The Yankees have already lost a lot of offense.

If you disagree with my Assesment about The State Of The Yankees, Let me hear you! Comment and answer the poll question to the right.

Joe Torre holds news conference, explains why he left

Joe Torre held a news conference on Thursday to explain why he walked away from the New York Yankees.

Joe Torre knew he wasn't wanted back. Even in those final few moments, as he sat in George Steinbrenner's office and listened to the New York Yankees' offer, he hoped there was a way he could stay on as manager. But when the team submitted a one-year contract with a hefty pay cut, performance-based bonuses — and no room to negotiate — Torre was insulted and figured he had no choice but to walk away.

Sitting at a desk before a backdrop of Yankees navy blue — but no logo behind him — Torre admitted he was uncomfortable and nervous talking about himself, though he took questions for about an hour.

His voice trembled at times, especially when he spoke of his players, as his wife and sister stood by his side. Torre said his 12 years with the Yankees were the best time of his professional life, but he hasn't ruled out managing elsewhere.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract — $2.5 million less than he made this season, when New York failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

First, he wanted a face-to-face meeting with team management, saying he thought that was important. So Torre took a morning flight Thursday to Tampa, Fla., with general manager Brian Cashman, who had told him of the club's offer Wednesday night.

Cashman asked Torre if he was taking the trip to make a deal or say goodbye. Torre said he wasn't sure.

Torre walked into Steinbrenner's office at Legends Field and listened to the offer in a meeting that lasted about 20 minutes. The deal on the table never changed. He said he couldn't accept it, shook hands and left.

It is the end of an era in New York. Joe Torre will no longer manage the New York Yankees. I fully expect Joe Torre to do what Lou Pinella did for one season before he went over to the Cubs and do some television work.

Joe Torre is no longer in New York. How many will follow him out the door?

The Joe Torre Era Is Over In The Bronx

Joe Torre will not manage the Yankees in 2008.

Joe Torre is out as manager of the New York Yankees, rejecting a substantial pay cut after the team failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

Torre turned down a $5 million, one-year contract Thursday — $2.5 million less than he made last season.

Rather than put up with the indignity of a salary slap coupled with a performance-based contract, the man who led the Yankees to playoff appearances in all 12 years he managed, walked.

Most Yankees fans could see this day coming.

After losing the first two playoff games to Cleveland, owner George Steinbrenner said he didn't think Torre would be asked back if the Yankees didn't advance.

The 67-year-old Torre, who took over the team to start the 1996 season, made his decision after traveling from New York to the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., and meeting with Steinbrenner, the owner's sons and top executives for about an hour. He was accompanied by Cashman and chief operating officer Lonn Trost.

New York's offer included $3 million in bonuses if the Yankees reached next year's World Series and an $8 million option for 2009 that would have become guaranteed if New York won the AL pennant.

Torre just completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract.

The Bronx now really Is Burning! Joe Torre is Outta Here, and with it, many of his players who were fiercely loyal to him may be out as well. A-Rod, Pettite, Posada, all vital players to the Yankees season, may all not come back to Yankee Stadium next season. If that is the case, the last posteason game to ever be played at "The House That Ruth Built" was that game four loss to the Indians. The Yankees will not make the playoffs next season. If all of their free agents don't come back, There is no way they will.

Truth be told, though, could you blame Joe Torre for walking away? He was getting less money, and it was only for a single year. Add to that the fact that he gets treated like he has no idea what he is doing whenever they lose, and I can understand why he would walk away. It's unbelievable to me how badly Joe was treated in New York! The guy has four World Series Championships(1996,1998, 1999, 2000) and two more appearances in the Fall Classic (2001, 2003), but he still got treated like he had no idea what he was doing! Joe didn't want to get treated badly anymore. That's why he walked away.

Who could replace Joe Torre as Yankee Manager? Tony La Russa, Joe Girardi, and Don Mattingly have all been offered as possiblities to replace him.

Don't forget about Game five of the American League Championship Series tonight on Fox. Josh Beckett pitches for the Red Sox in a must win game for them. C.C. Sabathia is on the mound for the Inidans tonight, and if they win, Cleveland wins the American League Pennant and faces the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

What A Great Monday Night!

Grady Sizemore put the Yankees in a hole they were never able to climb out of with his leadoff homerun.

What A Great Monday Night! We finally know who the Boston Red Sox will play in The American League Championship Series. The Cleveland Indians wrapped up the series, defeating the New York Yankees 6-4. Alex Rodriguez hit his first postseason homerun since Game Three of the 2004 American League Championship Series, but it wasn't enough. Congratulations to The Cleveland Indians, as they try to win their first World Series dince 1948, as they will play The Red Sox at Fenway Park for Game One On Thursday. We have a great pitching matchup in Game One of the American League Championship Series, as Josh Beckett gets the ball for The Red Sox opposed by C.C. Sabathia. Watch The American League Championship Series on Fox.

Another great game Monday Night was the Dallas Cowboys-Buffalo Bills game. This was Buffalo's first appearance on Monday Night Football in 13 years, and Buffallo certainly made good use out of it, intercepting Tony Romo five times, including four times in the first half. However, Dallas battled back to make it a ballgame. If you went to bed early, you missed one heck of an ending to this game! i had the original 24 seconds of the game of the game on The Power Zone as of Yesterday (Tuesday), but that video has now been removed. Nick Folk kicked the game finning 53 yard field goal twice (it was waved off one for a time out) and Dallas stuns Buffalo to stay undefeated, 25-24.

The Arizona Diamondbacks and The Colorado Rockies will meet up in the National League Championship Series

The Diamondbacks contained The Cubs "Big Three" and outhit and outplayed The Cubs, and that's why they won this series.

Three solo home runs from Chris Young, Eric Byrnes, and Stephen Drew behind 6 innings pitched (1 run on 5 hits) from Liván Hernández, and 4 double plays turned on defense put Game Three out of reach for the Chicago Cubs who were swept out of the post-season by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

So, The Arizona Diamondbakcks and The Colorado Rockies are meeting in the National League Championship Series, which will begin on Thursday. Congratulations to the Arizona Diamondbacks. They've had a magnificent season, and they managed to sweep The Cubs in their house, Wrigley Field. Carlos Zambrano's next start will be opening day 2008, where the Same Old Chant of "Wait 'till Next Year" will be heard for the 100th time in Chicago.

Time for me for me to go off on the Cubs for a second.

Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, and Derrek Lee. Where in the world was your plate disipline at? Did you leave it in Cincinnatti or something? My Goodness, every time you guys had runners in scoring position, you guys grounded into a double play, killing your chance to win. I'm not gonna fall for this again. If they manage to win the division next season, I'm not gonna take their season seriously until they get to the World Series. There was so much promise for their season, and now I remember something I should have remembered a long time ago: They're The Cubs. The Cubs continue to use that stupid excuse of "We're cursed by a billygoat" to explain why they have not won a World Series, and I'm sick of it. It's way too early to talk about the 2008 Baseball Season, particularly because the American League Championship Series has not been determined yet, although it may be by tonight, as Boston and Cleveland are both going for sweeps of Anaheim and New York.

Speaking of New York, Joe Torre is about to be fired as manager of the New York Yankees. He will either be fired or resign as Yankee Manager. New York is dead come game three, and even if they win tonight, they're still dead. George Steinbrenner may already be looking for a new manager of the Yankees. He just hasn't said it publicly yet.

Let's talk about their archrival, the Boston Red Sox. Congratulaions guys. You guys swept The Angels and you're about to face Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. Boston has been the best team in Baseball since day one of the 2007 Season. David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez may be about to bring home another World Series Pennant for the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox have the best rotation in Baseball, with Fireballer Josh Beckett, Wise Pitcher Curt Schilling, Japaneese Import Daisuke Mastuzaka, and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (Wakefield had a bad back, so he was not on the Red Sox American League Divisional Series roster.)

There are my random thoughts and feelings on the Divisional Series of the Baseball Postseason so far.

My Picks for the World Series: Boston meets Arizona in the World Series and beats them in five games.