[EmpireWF]

Last week, Yankees figurehead George Steinbrenner said "His job is on the line, 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.'' He told the Bergen Record that in a conversation with Ian O'Connor.

Now if the decision were up to you, would you fire Joe Torre?


I wouldn't. I don't see how firing him would help the team. He knows how to handle his players and the guys love playing for him. Why mess with that and risk a revolt of some sort of backlash? Again, I don't see how firing him and hiring a guy like Mattingly would make this club a World Series champion once again.

[simple simon]

i dont think Mattingly is ready ...... and i dont know if i would fire Torre either way

i do think he made some bad choices this series though

[vincesanity82]

Its not Torres fault, its the teams..Torre is burned out and I dont blame him, steinbrenner threatens to fire him every week and the fans turn on him..

[Lefty Noob]

I wouldn't fire him, but then, I wouldn't have laid down that ridiculous ultimatum either.

Any way you slice it, it's probably best for Torre to get out of New York, and maybe this is a team that really does need to start hearing a new voice.

[cwstech]

I wouldn't fire Torre either. They need to put together a team not just a bunch of good players.

[legend]

Torre needs to go and I hope he is fired, or at least allowed to resign with some grace, which he should have done last year to avoid this scene now. He has grown too comfortable with these players and is sooo afraid to hurt anyone's feelings that he can't be trusted now. Playing Matsui against Sabathia is just one example. He should have gone with Mussina over Wang, and he should have never pitched Joba more than one inning with a big lead. Girardi, not mattingly, is your next manager of the Yankees, or else he will lure Tony LaRussa in to take over. Big changes, and I for one can't wait.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I wouldn't fire him, but then, I wouldn't have laid down that ridiculous ultimatum either.

Any way you slice it, it's probably best for Torre to get out of New York, and maybe this is a team that really does need to start hearing a new voice.

I'd keep Torre over George Steinbrenner ...unless maybe we they can hire George Costonza to keep George S in check.

[EmpireWF]

I'm just saying, Torre isn't THE reason why they lost. If anyone thinks a Mattingly, Girardi or LaRussa would have an easy transition in New York, you're expecting way too much.

Baseball Musings describes it just as I'm trying to...

"That's really tough to believe however. Joe Torre is a good manager of people. For twelve years he kept the Bronx Zoo locked in a cabinet in his office. He was the man who absorbed all the bad energy and turned it into something positive. I suspect, as happened last year, Cashman and the Steinbrenner children will lobby dad on behalf of Torre. It probably won't work this time. Joe's not a perfect manager, but he was the perfect man for this job. The Yankees might hire a better strategist, but I doubt they'll find someone who can handle the egos of the ownership, players and NY media as well as Torre."

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by cwstech

I wouldn't fire Torre either. They need to put together a team not just a bunch of good players.

Do you honestly believe Steinbrenner has the patience to wait up to five years for a proper team to develop? Absolutely not. Clearly as you say it's time for them to build the old fashioned way, with role players and rising stars, but that will never happen again in the Bronx, not when George can just throw 80 bazillion dollars to whoever the hot big name free agent of the moment happens to be. Which is why the Yankee dynasty that was, is over.

[cwstech]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Do you honestly believe Steinbrenner has the patience to wait up to five years for a proper team to develop? Absolutely not. Clearly as you say it's time for them to build the old fashioned way, with role players and rising stars, but that will never happen again in the Bronx, not when George can just throw 80 bazillion dollars to whoever the hot big name free agent of the moment happens to be. Which is why the Yankee dynasty that was, is over.

I agree, which is why there will not be a championship in the Bronx for a while either.

[bears9]

In New York you play for World Series rings. Not divisional series. That answers the question

[DonnieG]

i like torre a lot. i don't think he's to blame totally for the yanks loss. but i do not agree with some of the changes he has made.

i'd keep him, but steinbrenner's the boss. gotta make changes to win.

[LSC9901]

It wasn't Torre that went 4 - 47 in the post season was it ??? When one of your best can't hit the ball when they need him how can you blame the manager ?? Then of course you have a 40 + year old (has been) out on the mound making millions and accomplishing ZERO.

Yeah by all means blame Joe and fire him. It was his fault.

[ThePundit]

Here's the deal:

Since 2004:

1) His team had a record collapse against their hated rival Boston Red Sox and Torre didn't even manage in that series. (Plus, I've never forgiven him for being giddy in the dugout when the Sox received their rings - that was totally inappropriate. There's no reason to be disrespectful but stay in the clubhouse). It was like:

2) Three FIRST ROUND eliminations in a row. Not 1, not 2...But 3.

That may be okay in Atlanta, or anywhere else. But not in the Bronx.

Thank you for your 12 years, Joe. You're a HOF fame manager and a class act but its time to get someone else.

Definately not. If anything some of these high paid ball players should be fired. Firing Joe is not going to make things any better for the team. Some of the players are lazy and should only be paid for their performance.