Yankees baseball blog

Dodgers close to making Joe Torre next manager

It appears Joe Torre won't be out of work long. The former Yankee skipper is finalizing a deal to become the manager of the Dodgers, less than two weeks after he walked away from the Yankees. His path to the Dodger dugout was cleared yesterday after Grady Little resigned as the Los Angeles manager.

"Discussions are ongoing" for the former Yankee skipper to replace Little, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. In an interesting twist, Torre was not the Dodgers' first choice as L.A. offered the job last week to Joe Girardi, who yesterday replaced Torre in the Bronx. Continue

Joe Torre loses his job, but keeps his dignity

Shortly before 2 p.m. yesterday, Joe Torre walked into George Steinbrenner's office on the fourth floor of Legends Field in Tampa, where The Boss and his Yankee high command were waiting with an offer Torre knew he was going to refuse. In the days leading up to this momentous summit, Torre had been advised by Yankee GM Brian Cashman that an offer to remain as manager would be forthcoming from Steinbrenner & Co., but that it would be for less money than the $7.5 million per year Torre had been earning as the highest-paid pilot in the game. Privately, Torre had expressed to friends and associates that he wanted a multiyear contract.

So when Hal Steinbrenner, The Boss' youngest son, read him the terms of the contract the Yankees were prepared to give him to continue what has been the fourth-most successful managerial term in the Yankees' championship-filled history - right up there with those of Hall of Famers Miller Huggins, Joe McCarthy and Casey Stengel - Torre listened without expression: $5 million base salary for one year, with incremental $1 million bonuses for reaching the division, League Championship and World Series, plus a vesting $8 million option for reaching the latter. "We all want you back," Hal Steinbrenner added, "and we hope you'll accept this offer." Continue

His biggest mistake comes off the field

Joe Torre's worst mistake of October was not starting Chien-Ming Wang on the road or failing to demand a delay when those Lake Erie midges showed up at Jacobs Field.No, Torre's biggest mistake occurred yesterday when he rejected an offer that while imperfect still allowed him to keep the job that has been so perfect for him. Torre erred in turning down the Yankees' proposal to stay in the position that has made him rich and famous beyond what he could have dreamed a dozen years ago.

He gets to keep the riches and fame now, but not the job. And it is the job, that gave Torre items you cannot buy, notably that brew of purpose and electricity and responsibility that he will be unable to replicate elsewhere. Continue

Torre turns down Yankee offer

In a stunning development, Joe Torre has turned down an offer to return as Yankee manager. Torre flew to Tampa today with Yankee GM Brian Cashman to personally tell George Steinbrenner and his sons, Hank and Hal, that he was rejecting an offer to come back for one year with incentives that would have been worth as much as $8 million. The Yankees announced the news at a 4:00 p.m. conference call from Legends Field.

"This new agreement, he turned it down," said Yankee president Randy Levine."We respect his decision. We appreciate everything he's done. "It's now time for the New York Yankees to move forward. We will be doing that very very quickly." "A difficult day," Cashman said. “He will always be a Yankee." Continue

A command indecision

When it comes to determining the fate of their manager, the Yankees are moving slowly, stealthy and quite differently from what was the brash, rash standard operating procedure during most of George Steinbrenner's ownership.

As the highly publicized meetings of the club's top brass concluded yesterday, there were, at best, subtle clues that Torre is still seriously in play to be at least offered a chance to stay as manager. There is the fact the Yankees have not acted quickly to follow up on Steinbrenner's 12-day-old statements that a first-round ouster would almost guarantee Torre's removal. Continue

Yankee silence doesn't bode well for Joe Torre

Eight days after the Yankees were ousted from the postseason, nine days after George Steinbrenner was quoted as saying that Joe Torre's job was on the line if the Bombers were eliminated, the Yankee high command has still not made a decision on who will manage the team next season. Or so it said yesterday in a statement from Steinbrenner's flack, Howard Rubenstein.

There are three ways to look at this non-announcement on a day in which Yankee legions had great expectations of a momentous decision coming out of Tampa — none of which would seem to bode particularly well for Torre. No. 1 is that either the powers-that-be — and in this case that would be Steinbrenner, his two sons, Hal and Hank, his son-in-law Felix Lopez, team president Randy Levine, chief operating officer Lonn Trost and GM Brian Cashman — really haven't been able to come to a decision on Torre; No. 2 is that they have reluctantly decided to bring him back but are letting him sweat a little more, and No. 3 is they have decided to begin the Don Mattingly era but still need to figure out a seamless, kindly way to execute this transition. Continue

Meeting ends without a decision on Torre

The Yankees meeting to decide Joe Torre's fate took place at George Steinbrenner's south Tampa mansion, but no decision is expected today. Yankees spokesman Howard Rubenstein released the following statement: "The meetings are adjourned for tonight. There have been no decisions made, nor will there be any comment today. The meetings will resume tomorrow."

Hal Steinbrenner left the home at 4:05 in a black Suburban. At 4:34, his brother, Hank, departed in a dark Cadillac and brother-in-law, Felix Lopez, sped off in a black Land Rover. Nobody stopped to speak to the media contingent of 24 waiting outside the gates that surround the cream-colored brick home. Continue

George Steinbrenner, sons make Joe Torre's fate 1st issue

It's been a week since the Yankees were eliminated by the Indians, the third consecutive season that George Steinbrenner's $200 million investment failed to return dividends beyond the first round of the postseason.

Joe Torre's future has been a hot topic since the Yankees' exit, but the man who led the Bombers to four World Series titles since 1996 should learn his fate in the next 24-48 hours, as the long-awaited organizational meetings finally get underway tomorrow. Many of the key participants are scheduled to arrive in Tampa later today, with the meetings set to begin tomorrow around noon. Continue

No word on Torre

The most aggressive organization in baseball is moving at the speed of sludge going uphill. And don't expect the action in the Yankees' universe to pick up until early next week, when George Steinbrenner gathers his inner circle in Tampa, Fla., to decide if Joe Torre stays or goes.

However, when the meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at Legends Field, is over, the Yankees could move at the speed of Joba Chamberlain's fastball. "I think it could be that just about everything on the table now could be decided by the end of next week," Hank Steinbrenner said outside Legends Field early last night. Continue

Shortchanging Joe a no-no

More and more, you sense the Yankees are going to make an offer Joe Torre must refuse. Yankee executives have hinted that in order to return Torre might have to take a paycut from his $7 million annual salary. It would not be surprising if the Yanks offered Torre a one-year, $4 million extension, which would keep him the highest paid manager, but just barely.

Torre would know such a pact - less dollars, no extra years - would leave him so much more vulnerable to be fired during the season should the Yanks get off to something resembling a 21-29 start again. He almost certainly would not accept such an offer. The Yanks would know that, too, and could then plan to spin this as Torre spurning the Yankees rather than the other way around. Continue

Yankee players making pitch for Joe Torre

While Joe Torre's future remains in limbo, sources say some players are questioning why the manager is taking all of the heat while others in the front office are being given a free pass.

"How can all the fingers be pointed at Joe?" said Ron Villone, the only player willing to comment when asked about the situation. "Joe got us out of so many situations and he made us believe in ourselves, not the people above Joe or the people who work with Joe. "There was no excuse or reason for us to lose, but we lost," Villone added. "We got outplayed; we weren't outmanaged. We were beaten. That's the way it goes. If we're looking for a fall guy, you can't go to Joe." Continue

Torre twists in the wind

George Steinbrenner hasn't asked Joe Torre what he wants for his last meal as the Yankee manager, but Torre is hanging on by a very slender pinstripe that is frayed at both ends even if Tony La Russa told Torre Monday that he is likely to return to the Cardinals.

One day after the Yankees were ushered out of the ALDS by the Indians there were no indications yesterday that The Boss is going to back off of his weekend edict that Torre get the Yankees past the Indians or lose his job. In fact, a person with knowledge of Steinbrenner's thinking, said Steinbrenner's resolve to end his 12-year marriage to Torre is stronger than ever. "He hasn't changed his mind," the person said. Continue

The best man

Joe Torre receives one last second-guess for the road, for starting a pitcher on three days' rest who didn't last the second inning. Even if the alternative, Mike Mussina, who pitched a scary tuneup to end a largely terrible season, gave up the two insurance runs in relief of Chien-Ming Wang that cost the Yankees the game.

This hanging offense, losing in the first round for a third straight October, will keep none of several teams from gauging Torre's interest in managing again by next week, assuming George Steinbrenner can't be talked down off the ledge today, assuming Brian Cashman even has an inclination, or the stomach, to try for the second straight year. Continue

The Torre story should continue, win or lose

Lou Piniella, the man George Steinbrenner wanted last year at this time rather than Joe Torre, just guided his team out of the playoffs, losing three straight games to a Diamondback team that scored fewer runs than it allowed this year. Piniella blundered in Division Series Game 1 by removing his ace Carlos Zambrano after 85 pitches to save him for a Game 4 that never came, a mistake that if committed by Torre would have led to his firing on the spot by Steinbrenner. Continue

Report: Steinbrenner tells Torre win or else

Unless the Yankees rally from down two games to zero to beat the Indians in the best-of-five American League Division Series, Joe Torre will likely be out as manager, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner told the Bergen Record. "His job is on the line," Steinbrenner told the Record. "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."

Torre's contract, worth $7 million this year, expires after the season. Steinbrenner came close to not bringing Torre back after the Yankees lost in the first round last season, but the team owner is in declining health and his public comments arre extremely rare these days. Continue

Torre may play Giambi

When it comes to making multiple moves to shake up the Dead Bat Society, Joe Torre's hands are handcuffed to the termite-infested bat rack. Torre isn't going to sit Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Robinson Cano or Johnny Damon. Even if they are a combined 3-for-37 (.081) and the main reason the Yankees are in an 0-2 ALDS ditch and one game away from being eliminated by the Indians.

Nevertheless, there is a change Torre can make and yesterday he sounded as if he would alter a lineup that is 6-for-88 (.121) across the first two games. "I am not sure where, but we are thinking possibly Jason (Giambi)," Torre said. "We will look and see what we are going to do. We will look at the matchups and stuff, but we will probably shake it up a bit." Continue

In arm's way

At some point in Yan kees history we will look back in 2007 as the year the organization turned toward young pitching, the year when Joba ruled and Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy made positive opening statements. In the present, however, 2007, like so many seasons under Joe Torre - good and bad - is suddenly about old arms again. Torre needs Andy Pettitte to reclaim familiar Game 2 magic, and for Roger Clemens and Mike Mussina not to be this year's version of Randy Johnson and Jaret Wright.

All it took to go back to the past was for young ace Chien-Ming Wang to persist as a road worrier in Division Series Game 1. Wang could not keep the ball on the ground nor the Yankees in the game as the Indians soared 12-3. "The older guys need to lead the way, to show the young pitchers the path," Yankees special advisor Reggie Jackson said. "And you couldn't have a better guy to do it [today]." Continue

Joe Torre dines with George Steinbrenner

Joe Torre's future beyond this October remains as uncertain as ever, but the manager took part in a lunch meeting with George Steinbrenner and his top lieutenants yesterday at Legends Field. Torre and Brian Cashman made the drive from St. Petersburg to Tampa, where they met with Steinbrenner, his sons Hal and Hank, as well as Felix Lopez, Steinbrenner's son-in-law.

"I thought it was a productive meeting," Torre said. "They just wanted to get a feel for how Brian and I thought about the guys we're sitting here and going forward with." Torre said Steinbrenner was in good shape and encouraged by the Yankees' second-half surge, although the Boss was not pleased that his club failed to clinch a playoff berth on Tuesday night against the Devil Rays. "I said, 'How are you doing?' and he said, 'Not so good,'" Torre said. "That's when I knew he was fine." Continue

Torre's use of bullpen shows Yanks playing for Wild Card

So much for the euphoria of the eighth inning to end all Yankee-Red Sox eighth innings. Alas, baseball is a fickle game, and let this be a lesson to anyone who figured one of the most exhilarating and improbable comeback victories ever fashioned by the Yankees over the Red Sox was a portent to an even bigger comeback for the AL East title. To those who thought Friday night's lightning was sufficient momentum for a Fenway sweep and sweet September dreams beyond, let this be a reminder of the old axiom that good pitching always beats good hitting.

And yesterday, in what only became an embarrassing 10-1 Red Sox rout when Joe Torre decided to conduct tryout sessions for the 13th spot on his postseason staff, Josh Beckett and not Chien-Ming Wang was the better starting pitcher. Beckett, who was 1-1 with a 5.49 ERA in his three previous starts against the Yankees this season, all but ended any fleeting thoughts the Bombers might have had of overtaking the Sawx for the division title with seven dominant innings of three-hit, one-run, seven-strikeout pitching. Continue

Brian Cashman likely to decide whether Joe Torre manages the Yankees in 2008

The notion of whether Joe Torre even wanted to come back as manager had been tabled since spring training, and for the longest time this season it didn't seem to matter. But as the Mariners and Tigers have opened the door in the wild-card race, October suddenly looms for the Yankees, and Torre's time may not be up after all.

So the question was posed yesterday and the manager came about as close as he can, without sounding as if he's campaigning, to saying he'd love to be back next year. "I'm enjoying it, let's put it that way," Torre said before yesterday's 8-2 loss to the Devil Rays. "I don't know what the determination is going to be, but I'm enjoying what I'm doing now." Continue

With card up his sleeve, Joe Torre managing a smile

It was not the 20th of April now, that Friday night at Fenway Park when Joe Torre brought the great Mo Rivera out of the bullpen for the eighth inning a month or so after saying he would do nothing of the kind this season. It was not the April night when the Red Sox jumped all over Rivera and this Red Sox season really began. The Red Sox did not just beat the Yankees that night, begin a three-game sweep right after the Yankees had just swept the Indians at the Stadium. They also found a setup man in Hideki Okajima, who closed that game because the Red Sox had decided to give Jonathan Papelbon the night off.

So a lot happened that night, to both these teams. A lot has happened since, even if the Red Sox have stayed in first since then, sometimes by a lot. But the Yankees are a different team now. And now at the Stadium last night this was a different Rivera, which means the one who has gotten the Red Sox a lot more over the years than they have gotten him. Continue

Time Torre throws changeup at rotation

A few days ago, Mike Mussina scoffed at any notion that he needed to pitch well last night to retain his spot in the rotation. "Who would they replace me with?" Mussina asked dismissively. Three innings into a third straight disastrous start last night, you couldn't help thinking those might be remembered as famous last words from Mussina.

There's no way around the obvious: It's time to try somebody else. Or anybody, to answer Mussina's question. After lasting three innings in last night's embarrassing 16-0 loss to the Tigers, the 38-year old righthander has given up 20 runs in 9-2/3 innings over three starts. Even Kei Igawa can do better than that. Well, maybe. Continue

Split decision lies ahead

The man in the manager’s office will have a huge impact on what the Yankees’ 2008 roster will look like. While the Yankees are involved in two races - the AL East and wild card - there is no avoiding what looms beyond this season. Joe Torre is doing a wonderful job as a lame-duck manager, and his future will have an impact on what free agents Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens will do following the World Series. Since Alex Rodriguez doesn’t have the history the others do with Torre, the manager’s future doesn’t expect to play a role in Rodriguez’ decision to opt out and become a free agent or stay.

However, it will impact what Posada does. “I don’t see myself playing for anybody else,” the All-Star told The Post. So, if Torre leaves, does that mean Posada goes, too? “Let’s see who is coming in,” the catcher said. Continue

Lofton: Torre no racist

Kenny Lofton doesn't feel he was treated fairly by Joe Torre, but the veteran outfielder doesn't believe it had to do with the color of his skin. When Gary Sheffield accused Torre of treating black and white players differently, he cited Lofton and Tony Womack as two specific examples.

Lofton was quoted by an Associated Press reporter as saying, "All I can say is, Sheffield knows what he's talking about; that's all I'm going to say," but Lofton said yesterday his quote was misrepresented, saying the question he was asked related specifically to being called out by the manager in meetings. "They're trying to say it's racism? That's a word I don't even bring up," said Lofton, who played for Torre in 2004. "I didn't say that, and that's something I won't say." Continue

Joe, Rog may have to take a seat

According to multiple sources close to the situation, Roger Clemens and Joe Torre are going to be suspended for their actions Tuesday night when after the benches were warned Clemens drilled Alex Rios in the back and was ejected by plate umpire Angel Hernandez. The umpire believed Clemens was retaliating for Josh Towers hitting Alex Rodriguez earlier in the game. Continue

Torre has talent surplus

Buddy Bell, the 55-year-old Kansas City Royals manager, was standing behind the batting cage prior to the game yesterday, discussing why he is stepping down after the season to spend more time with his family. Bell, who had a heath scare last year when it was discovered he had a cancerous tonsil, talked about his daughter, who has Down Syndrome, and his 80-year old mother, as primary reasons for wanting to go home to Cincinnati and getting out of the all-consuming managerial rat race.

"I'll still be close to it," he said, alluding to adviser/scouting duties for GM Dayton Moore. Then, glancing over at the Yankee dugout, he added unsolicited: "But I've got to tell you, I don't think, in all my years in baseball, I've seen a team that hits like theirs. That's some lineup!" Continue

Torre writes off Canseco on A-Rod

Jose Canseco may have some "other stuff" on Alex Rodriguez that he plans to use in his next book, but Joe Torre and Johnny Damon had some stuff of their own to offer yesterday when informed of Canseco's latest comments. Canseco, whose book, "Juiced," detailed his use of steroids with Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro, Pudge Rodriguez and others, wouldn't say specifically whether his A-Rod info involved steroids or not, simply telling a Boston radio station on Friday, "Wait and see."

Following yesterday's game, Torre was disappointed to hear of Canseco's comments and expressed concern about how much an impact they might have on A-Rod when the book is published. "You worry about anything like that, because unfortunately, when people see it in print, they add credence to it. That's the sad part about it," Torre said. "It's a shame, because when you play this game, you'd like to believe you play with some kind of respect. Obviously, Jose needs the money." Continue

Joe, Boss do lunch

Joe Torre had lunch with George Steinbrenner on Friday, taking some time during the Yankees' trip to Tampa to visit with The Boss. "We had a sandwich together," said Torre, who set up the lunch during the All-Star break. "He seemed like he was good."

Torre sat with Steinbrenner, as well as his son, Hal, and his son-in-law, Felix Lopez, at Legends Field on Friday afternoon. The group discussed the state of the Yankees, "more in generalities," according to Torre, who said that his future beyond this season did not come up during the conversation. Torre said Steinbrenner didn't express any major concerns about the team, telling him "just that we have to start winning." Continue

Torre mum on Lofton's words

As he did Friday when Gary Sheffield accused him of treating white and black players differently, Joe Torre refused to comment yesterday in the wake of Kenny Lofton backing Sheffield's claims.

"I don't feel a need to respond," Torre said yesterday. "I feel comfortable with who I am. I don't try to make evaluations to be honest with you." Lofton, who played poorly for the Yankees in 2004 when he criticized Torre for not batting him leadoff and using him as a designated hitter and not a center fielder in the first week of the season, backed Sheffield. Continue

Torre's 12th is 'toughest'

Joe Torre's first year in pinstripes read like a Hollywood script, the story unfolding just the way he must have always imagined it could - veteran manager in the starring role, leading the proud New York Yankees back to the World Series. But that was 1996 and if 2007 turns out to be Torre's final year at the helm of George Steinbrenner's very expensive production - his contract does expire after the season - there is sure to be quite a different ending.

The Yankees have struggled this season, battling on a daily basis to stay in the postseason picture. The losing has led to one controversy after another, from contract issues surrounding some of the team's top players, to the constant speculation regarding Torre's own job security. Continue

Lofton: Sheff is right on Joe

Gary Sheffield isn't the only player who feels Joe Torre treated black players differently than white players, as Sheffield's former teammate, Kenny Lofton, chimed in with his thoughts yesterday before his Rangers played in Anaheim. Lofton, who played for Torre in 2004, concurred with Sheffield's assessment of the Yankee manager and his attitude toward African-American players.

"All I can say is, Sheffield knows what he's talking about," Lofton told The Associated Press when asked to respond to Sheffield's comments about Torre. "That's all I'm going to say." Lofton's one-year tenure in pinstripes was a tumultuous one, as he was signed to a two-year deal by George Steinbrenner to hit leadoff and replace Bernie Williams in center field, only to have Torre declare the job an open competition in spring training. Continue

Joe puts Phil ahead of self

Brian Cashman acknowledged last night that if he chose to "put Philip Hughes on the marketplace" he already could have made an impact trade to fortify the struggling Yankees. But the Yanks' GM remains adamant that holding onto the team's top pitching prospects remains "the right choice to make," and Joe Torre concurs despite his team's ongoing malaise and his lame-duck managerial status.

"Cash isn't saying we're not going to get anybody, but he's trying to conserve and protect the future of the organization, which I certainly can't second-guess because of the quality of those guys down there," Torre said, mentioning Hughes as a "legitimate" prospect. "My future is unimportant. Even when I was in another organization, I've never looked at an organization and felt they should do something just to make my life easier. I've been a lot less secure in other places and just felt the right thing is the right thing." Continue

Torre rehashes old plan: No BP

When the Yankees were scuffling through a five-game losing streak on May 29, Joe Torre decided to cancel batting practice the next day, giving his players the option to come to the ballpark as late as an hour before game time. The Yankees scored five runs in the first inning that night, beating the Blue Jays to kick off a 14-3 run that boosted the Bombers back into the playoff race.

After last night's 4-0 loss to the Orioles, Torre and his coaches decided to try the same trick, putting the kibosh on BP before tonight's series finale in Baltimore. "We're going to try to get that formula back that we had north of the border," Torre said. "I don't know what it's going to do, but it's something different." Continue

Boss quiet about Torre

On April 30 the Yankees were 9-14 and Joe Torre's job was in jeopardy. Would Don Mattingly take over? Or Joe Girardi? Some had Larry Bowa as the longshot candidate. When play started on May 30 the Yankees were 141/2 games behind the Red Sox.

So with the Yankees having won 11 of 13 after last night's 3-1 loss to the Rockies, George Steinbrenner was provided a chance by The Post to reflect on the turnaround. Asked to comment through public relations guru Howard Rubenstein, The Boss didn't. Interpreting Steinbrenner's silence is always dangerous. He might not think being 35-33 and nine games out is something to feel good about. Or he might not want to address Torre's future. Continue

Right on since Joe's 'day off'

On May 29, the Yankees were in the midst of a lengthy losing streak, one which threatened to sink their season before it ever really got underway. Joe Torre saw his players fighting themselves, desperately trying to do anything they could to turn things around. Before the game that night in Toronto, he called a meeting, only to watch his team stumble to another gut-wrenching loss just hours later.

Torre and his coaches weighed their options, then told the players not to show up until an hour before Wednesday's game. There would be no batting practice, no sitting around wallowing in the pressure cooker in preparation for another game. Instead, Torre wanted his players to show up, get dressed and hit the field. Continue

An extraordinary Joe

Joe Torre accomplished something great last night, when a 10-3 win over the White Sox made him the 10th major-league manager in history to reach the 2,000-victory mark. Getting to that milestone demonstrates success and longevity. Torre managed part or all of every season from 1977 through 1984, and again from 1990 to now. He has managed the Mets, Braves, Cardinals and, for the past 12 seasons, the Yankees. Even Torre could not have fathomed getting to 2,000 when the Yankees hired him.

"It's a great number," Torre said, "when you consider what other guys have gotten. When I was hired here, I was a lot closer to losing 2,000 at that time than I was to winning 2,000. Hopefully, this year'll be special." Continue

Torre wants breather for Jeter, A-Rod

Joe Torre approached Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez yesterday with the thought of not putting one of them in thestarting lineup against the White Sox last night. Jeter, who Torre says is "physically beat up," was Torre's first target. "I approached him and said, 'How about a day off?' " Torre said before last night's 7-3 win over the White Sox. "He gave me that really ugly look. I just walked away."

Torre's next stop was the locker next to Jeter's that houses A-Rod."He went like this [putting his hands in the air], and I didn't bother asking," Torre said. After Jeter (2-for-5) and A-Rod (3-for-5, 3 RBIs, HR) helped the Yankees establish a season-high in hits (17), Torre still talked about giving Jeter's body a day off. Continue

Torre: Pop-off 'Inappropriate'

Alex Rodriguez's week got tougher yesterday at Fenway Park when Joe Torre said Rodriguez using his mouth to distract Blue Jays in fielders Wednesday night in Toronto was wrong. That's quite a difference from what Torre said following the game and one of the few times Torre has spoken out against one of his players' actions or comments.

"It was probably something he shouldn't have done," Torre said before his Yankees beat the AL East-leading Red Sox, 9-5, to cut Boston's lead to 121/2 games. "It was probably inappropriate to do it at the time he did it." Torre wasn't as critical after the game Wednesday. "I don't know what to feel," he said. "It's baseball. It's not like he said, 'I got it.' He made a noise." Torre said, based on a conversation he had with Rodriguez following Wednesday's game, he doesn't expect his third baseman to repeat the act that was called "bush league" by Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "I don't sense he will do that again," Torre said. "The reaction told you that." Continue

Joe hears the Bronx cheers

Good thing the Yankees are leaving town for 11 days - it will take at least that long to fumigate the Stadium from the rancid odor left behind by the home team. The fans even let Joe Torre have it yesterday, booing the manager for his ill-fated decision to replace Mike Mussina with Scott Proctor in the seventh inning.

It should have been occasion to celebrate a strong rebound from Mussina after his previous two clunkers, but disaster started looming almost from the moment Proctor entered. The usually reliable Proctor couldn’t throw a strike, and before long the Angels had the lead and a 4-3 victory over the Yankees to complete a three-game weekend sweep. Continue

The manager strikes back

Maybe it was meant to divert attention from his players. Or maybe it was just frustration bubbling over. Whatever the case, in 12 seasons as Bombers manager, Joe Torre has never shown as much anger as he did in the Yankee clubhouse yesterday. The source of Torre's ire was a questionable called third strike to Bobby Abreu that ended the Yankees' listless 3-1 loss to the Angels at the Stadium, and left the tying runs on base.

"The sad part about it is that you stand there at home plate and take strike three and it's in the other batter's box," Torre said of home plate umpire Jeff Nelson's call. "We'd like to at least be able to determine our own fate. There's no excuse for it and then (Nelson) has the nerve to argue back at Abreu." Continue

Torre's just shell-shocked

Perhaps it was just wishful thinking. The embattled Yankee manager, who had all his "good luck" pals - Yogi Berra, Billy Crystal, Marvin Hamlisch - in-house last night for what was one of the most important games of his 12-year tenure, sounded like he truly believed the turning point of this miserable season was at hand. Maybe it was actually a good thing the schedule-makers had deemed the Red Sox to follow the first Subway Series with the Mets on the Yankee docket. After all, didn't the Sawx always bring out a renewed intensity and focus with Torre's troops?

"With the Red Sox being here, all of a sudden the mind overrules the body," Torre said. He was talking about Johnny Damon, who the night before had played a pivotal role in the Yankees' winning the opener of this critical three-game series, going 3-for-4 with two stolen bases. But he was also allowing himself to think a seemingly stabilized Yankee rotation combined with facing a steady diet of righthanded pitching for the foreseeable future could in be the formula for righting the season. Continue

Woes for Joe

This Subway Series is about the Yankees. More specifically, it is about Joe Torre. It is about making inroads toward survival, for a star-filled team and its famous manager. Torre would have been fired already this season a) if a worthy heir were available or b) if Torre had not been such a valuable prop in the seduction of Roger Clemens, a lure beyond the pro-rated $28 million to convince The Rocket back to pinstripes. Clemens told Yankee management he was expecting to come back to play for Torre, not Don Mattingly, not Larry Bowa, not Joe Girardi.

Perhaps those two factors are season-long salvations for Torre. Some people in the Yankee organization will tell you the Torre crisis has passed, that George Steinbrenner's tepid statement of support on April 30 provided season-long amnesty. But you also will find folks in the organization who are not quite so sure about that. Continue

'Moving furniture'

The last time Joe Torre moved Alex Rodriguez out of the cleanup spot his third baseman went from fourth to eighth in Game 4 of the 2006 ALDS against the Tigers and the Yankees' season ended. Looking to get his Dead Bat Society going last night, Torre elevated A-Rod from fourth to third last against White Sox rookie lefty John Danks.

Since the tilt was washed out and will be played today as the first of a split doubleheader, Torre wasn't sure if he would stay with A-Rod in between Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada, the top two hitters in the AL East. "I haven't looked at it, we will see what our options are,'' Torre said of his lineup against Danks. Continue

Joe's concerns mount, on and off field

The homestand did not end well, and the 3,000-mile airplane trip that awaited promised to be even longer and duller than usual. The final score was 14-2, and there was some shoddy defense all around, and five days after looking like the most unhittable man on the planet, Chien-Ming Wang looked as if he'd slipped into Jeff Weaver's old uniform.

Behind his desk, Joe Torre was visibly tired. These have not been easy times for the Yankees manager, who saw his team slip under .500 again, who saw it go only 4-3 across seven games with the Mariners and Rangers that he'd hoped would drag it closer to the Red Sox in the standings. Continue

Torre gets off with warning

With words both nurturing and menacing, George Steinbrenner weighed in yesterday on the Yankees' subpar start, granting clemency to both Joe Torre and Brian Cashman but also putting both men - and their players - on notice that the team's fortunes must change. No one was fired, but Steinbrenner made clear he is deeply disappointed in his expensive, injury-ravaged, 9-14 team, which is in last place in the American League East and has the third-worst record in baseball.

"The season is still very young, but up to now the results are clearly not acceptable to me or to Yankee fans," Steinbrenner said in a statement released through his personal PR man, Howard Rubenstein. "However, Brian Cashman our general manager, Joe Torre our manager and our players all believe that they will turn this around quickly. I believe in them. I am here to support them in any way to help them accomplish this turnaround." Continue

Help wanted

Good luck Joe Girardi, you are going to need it if your ace, Chien-Ming Wang, is unable to outpitch No. 5 fodder such as Julian Tavarez. Best wishes Don Mattingly, if Bobby Abreu is going to hit like you did when your back betrayed you late in your career and turned you into a No. 3 hitter in memory only.

Gentlemen, start Larry Bowa's fury. He might as well get a head start if Johnny Damon's bat and game is going to have all the electricity of an Amish social. George Steinbrenner just might stop talking about firing Joe Torre one of these days and actually get around to doing it. But if there is a new manager, he should already be praying for improvement in health and performance from the roster. Because does anyone think The Boss will actually have patience for a new manager if this losing continues? Continue

Win lets Joe relax, a little

The Yankees' week-long slide into last place may have left Joe Torre's head on the chopping block, but you'd never know it listening to the manager discuss the state of his team. Torre knows how bad the past week has been for both himself and his ballclub, but after spending a dozen years in New York, he knows that the stories of his imminent demise simply come with the territory.

"I'm not comfortable with the fact that we're losing," Torre said before yesterday's 3-1 win over the Red Sox. "I can't concern myself with what might happen; I've got to concern myself with what happens on the field." As for Torre's Boss, George Steinbrenner has remained quiet to this point, and while his spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, offered a no-comment on his client's behalf, he made it clear that the Yankee owner is paying close attention - and is not pleased. Continue

Say it ain't so, Joe! Torre goes back on his word

Joe Torre said it more than once in spring training. He wasn't going to use Mariano Rivera in the eighth inning this season. Period. Maybe he should have stuck to that vow a little longer. But already it's apparent that Torre doesn't have a set-up man he trusts fully, and so when he was desperate to hang onto a lead against the Red Sox last night, he turned to Rivera because it's always been a sure escape route for him.

On this night, however, Rivera couldn't bail out Luis Vizcaino. Coming in with runners at first and third and one out, he gave up three consecutive hits and, that quickly, another remarkable night for Alex Rodriguez turned to disaster for the Yankees and concern about their legendary closer. Continue

Opener & closed

Joe Torre's office contains framed pictures of his four championship Yankees teams, two leather couches, and yesterday it also housed euphoria and despair. It was both a joyous and painful day for the manager. It was the day Torre got to tell Josh Phelps the first baseman successfully navigated from the wilderness of Legends Field to the 25-man roster. "Congratulations," Torre told Phelps yesterday morning, "you have come a long way from Field 2."

But it also was the day Torre had to inform a player he is fond of, Todd Pratt, that Pratt had not made the team. As if to verify all that Torre liked about him, Pratt actually asked if he could decline the bus trip to Lakeland. He had been listed on yesterday's lineup card as the catcher and cleanup hitter. But he no longer was a Yankees employee, so, of course, Torre said yes. With that, Pratt, still in street clothes, at age 40, walked out of a major-league clubhouse, perhaps for the final time. Continue

Joe: I'd return

Joe Torre yesterday gave a beefy indication he wants to return next year to manage the Yankees. On the way out of a Legends Field bullpen where Andy Pettitte had thrown 25 pitches to start a perfect Florida morning, Torre was asked by The Post if he wanted to work in The Bronx beyond this season.

"I'm enjoying myself," said Torre, beginning his 12th season at the helm of George Steinbrenner's collection of expensive players with super-sized egos. "If that tells you something, then that tells you something." Translated, the 66-year-old Torre, a lame duck at the moment, would like to continue as the Yankees' pilot. Asked if he told Yankees brass he wanted to remain in the dugout, Torre said no, but admitted there have been preliminary talks recently about the subject. Continue

Joe: No one knows Alex's future

Alex Rodriguez reiterated his stance yesterday that he has no intentions of opting out of his contract at the end of the season, but Joe Torre isn't sure that his third baseman has any idea what the future has in store for him. "I'm not sure he knows that answer yet," Torre said of A-Rod's option, which allows him to void the final three years of his contract and become a free agent.

Rodriguez opened the door for his potential departure on Tuesday, telling WFAN that this season was a "do-or-die situation" for him. "Either New York is going to kick me out of New York this year, say 'I've had enough of this guy, get him the hell out of here,' and we have an option," Rodriguez said in the radio interview. "Or New York is going to say, 'Hey, we won a world championship, you had a big year, you were a part of it and we want you back.'" Continue

Lou never near Yank comeback

Sweet Lou in Cubbie blue is a smiling man. Piniella is far from the Tampa tantrums that fill springtime back pages, and after his second day overseeing the Chicago Cubs' full-squad workouts he showed no hint of regret. "This is my last job," he said yesterday, waxing optimistic about the first $100 million club he has ever managed.

For a dizzying 48 hours last fall while Joe Torre's fate was under debate, Piniella read and heard that the Yankees might be making a pitch to bring him back to the Bronx. But even if Brian Cashman had not talked George Steinbrenner out of firing Torre, Piniella says he would not have returned to the Bronx. Continue

Joe makes push for Bern return

Bernie Williams' days in New York may not be over, after all. Not if Joe Torre has anything to say about it, anyway. Torre said yesterday that he had spoken with Williams on Wednesday, making a push for the veteran outfielder to come to camp as a non-roster player. The manager made no promises to Williams, who has played his entire 16-year career with the Yankees, and the two plan to speak again today or tomorrow.

"I've always tried to be up front the best I could with him," said Torre, who received a call from Williams Wednesday after leaving him phone messages last week. "The only thing I stressed to him (Wednesday) was, 'If you want to continue to play, you can't do it if you stay up there. We have to see you.'" Continue

Lame duck Torre says He'll manage

With New York bracing for its initial winter storm, Joe Torre's endless summer of questions concerning his future opened at Legends Field yesterday. Entering his 12th season skippering George Steinbrenner's high-priced vessel, Torre is a lame-duck manager because his contract expires when the last out of the Yankees' season is recorded. Following a marathon meeting with front-office types, coaches and minor-league administrators that the Boss surfaced for at the end, Torre was asked if he wanted to manage next season. Continue

Torre: A-Rod is A-OK

Joe Torre was watching his daughter play soccer this winter when one of the opposing players approached him and asked about the Yankee manager's decision to drop Alex Rodriguez to eighth in the batting order in the final game of the division series loss to Detroit last October.

While the controversy that buzzed over Torre's lineup machinations may have lasted deep into the offseason, the skipper doesn't believe the switch will linger into spring training, something that A-Rod has said publicly, too. Continue

Joe, without a net

When Joe Torre shows up in Tampa this week, he officially begins the last year of what could be his last contract managing the Yankees. Here is what Brian Cashman, Torre's immediate boss even if he is still an underboss to George Steinbrenner, says about that: "From the day he first became our manager, Joe has handled almost every conceivable situation, both on and off the field. It's why I'm sure he'll handle his own situation as well as he's handled everything else."

Cashman was asked if there are any plans to address Torre's contract situation once the regular season begins. "There are no plans on that," he said yesterday. "I'm going to do the same thing I'm sure Joe is going to do, and what we want our players and coaches to do: Focus on '07. Which is my way of saying we'll worry about '08 when the '07 season is concluded." Continue