Yankees Down and Torre out?

Sadly for me, baseball season is over again. But not without it's share of Yankee controversy. Anyone who knows me can tell you I love my Yankee team and I love October baseball. Unfortunately we haven't seen the best of the Yankees for the last few years (or 7-ish for that matter) in the post season and this year was no exception. Although they were favored to destroy the Indians, they had it handed to them for the first two games.

In George Steinbrenner fashion, someone's career was on the line since they weren't winning. This time, Joe Torre. Although A-Rod wasn't performing at his peak, the heat seemed to be off him for a bit, but more about that later. After the threats, the Yankees seemed to before a little bit better, obviously under stress, they got a win in game 3. Although they had no consecutive hits, and left several men stranded on base, they started to come alive on they were back at home.

Even with the 50+ thousand cheering the Yankees on, the Indians pitching was unstoppable. The Yankees were continually shut down whenever a streak was started, and Game 4 was more of the same. I think Game 4 was one of the hardest games to watch, and not because it meant another first round exit for the team. The thought that Joe Torre could be fired is hard enough, but it would also be disrespectful and stupid. The Yankees to the post season for 12 years. Not to mention 6 times to the World Series, 4 of which the Yankees won. I believe some of this performance needs to fall back to the team at this point.

The manager is responsible for motivating, disciplining, and making the tough decisions for the team but it is the team who has to perform when it comes down to it. Jeter's performance was totally poor; hitting into double plays more times than I would like to remember. Clemens exited early due to a hamstring injury and being injured he shouldn't have pitched in such an important game anyhow. A few more days of rest would have been much better. And Wang... man, two times with a chance to push the Yankees into the ALCS and both were miserable. In fact, it reminds me of the Arizona/Yankees series when Kim blew it twice. A-Rod was a bit more impressive then he has been in the post season, and people really should lay off of him. The man is clearly a MVP and a possible contender to break many records. But still, his performance was not that of a multi-million dollar player.

Given the performance of the team, Torre can only do so much. The series combined with Steinbrenner's comments has left me with perhaps the worst feeling I have felt yet in my following of the Yankees, and it is not because the Yankees didn't win. Perhaps it's knowing that nothing will be the same from here on out.

If this was indeed the last year that Torre will manage the Yankees (which would be a huge mistake) then to Torre: "It has been a great journey, sir". From the big 90's even to the struggles the last few years. Torre you are a true hall of famer and the single best manager that New York has ever seen.

Godspeed my friend