Today is the day when matters of Italian pride and heritage arise though some find it quite controversial in various respects. I speak, of course, on whether or not Joe Torre should keep his job as manager of the NY Yankees.* Since this is not politics [see separate entry], there is actual bipartisan agreement that serious change needs to occur. Let me first off say that I totally agree with those who point blame on the "mercenary" approach [ditto] of hiring a bunch of big money players to try to continue past success. Since this was an important part of the 1996-2001 regime, e.g., David Cone (1995), this might sound a bit off.
The problem is that you need more than mercenaries (the A-Team?) to win the war. Thus, the Mets aren't going to the championship round only because they obtained some big ticket players. No, they also needed role players (some well paid), young hungry future stars, esprit de corps, and all that good stuff. One might point to various Dodgers slip-ups and injuries, but when both Pedro and El Duque fall within days of each other, one might not get too much of a supportive ear. The Tigers had a lot going for them, but so did Seattle in 2001 (most wins in baseball). The Yanks beat them almost on autopilot. This team couldn't even start the engine. It has to be changed.
This goes to the top. The buck stops there. Since the owner cannot (will not) fire himself, the place to look is the manager. JT had mixed success before coming to the Yankees -- in fact, he did not have much success as a manager (very good player; good broadcaster, I assume). His style was perfect for the 1996 Yankees and it carried through his a decade of very good Yankee teams. But, the team is set up to win it all, not just their division. We are not talking about the Braves (pre-2006 edition). Thus, though most teams would be quite satisfied with their record even since 2001 (2003), they don't have this sort of payroll. They also often have more likeable players than some of this bunch.
Torre won with this bunch too, including the last two years when it was not quite as easy as it was the rest of his tenure. The team came from a big hole to win in the last weekend last year and survived big injuries (offensively speaking) to come back sooner (with help from a Red Sox collapse; they had more injuries) this time. Still, again, playoffs. Being beat by the Red Sox (favorite whipping boys) after being ahead three games to none was bad enough. Now, Kenny Rogers and a team that they were playing because the Tigers were swept by the Royals (Twins swept by As ... all according to plan?) embarrasses them. In fact, after one and a half good games, the team looked just plain listless.
The problem is that it is not new any more -- this playoff collapse scenario is becoming a trend ... the Yanks are the Braves without the smaller payroll/more laid back style of fans (lower expectations) excuse. And, we saw what happened to the Braves this year. Thus, major change. New manager (the manager Torre replaced just was fired by the Rangers, who wants Joe -- circle of life?). New pitching blood (Mussina, bye; Big Unit, injury reserve, bye; Lidle ... go pitch decently somewhere else like any number of recent Yank back-enders). Disposal of various overpriced hitters (Gary ... only an idiot would take up that option; steroid-boy, who wants him? A-rod ... worse call since the Rogers pick-up?). And, some influx of new talent (a pitching prospect is in the wings ... bidding war with Mets for Zito).
No saying this will lead to a World Series next year ... heck, the Yanks might be fighting with Toronto (second place) for a division title or something next time. If the Tigers stay good, there will be three tough teams in the Central alone, and Anaheim (new name?) will likely still be a toughie as well. But, the team might have some new life, and a page will be turned. Ebb and flow, such is the nature of the sports world. It is why the Jets brought in young blood, even if they know it will mean this season will bring a couple more wins than last. Still, they are facing in the right direction ... that is the best one can say about them putting a scare in the Colts (heck, the Titans did ... big deal). The Yanks were doing pretty good, but the fans should expect more.
They might not want too much pain ... even a chance the division is not a lock next year ... to bring forth the change. Heck, maybe that is too much to risk! Still, many are not satisfied with a team that does not even show up against a young team that could very well have been satisfied with giving the big boys a scare. The Yanks dealt with such upstarts in the past. Now, they are whipped by them. Time for a change and Joe Torre (for Lou Piniella) has to be the first to go. Give him a gold watch to go with all those rings. Thanks for the memories ... and, hey, a few million dollars for the family is not a bad deal when you can earn it while taking your little daughter to the beach. Art Howe got the same deal in 2005 for doing a lot less.
And, who knows, Joe might be going to the Cubs. This makes sense. In the 1990 movie Taking Care of Business, James Belushi plays someone escaping prison to be able to see his beloved Cubbies. We get a glimpse of the baseball announcer ... Joe Torre in a former life. The WFAN afternoon duo are iffy, but seriously, he has to go. Buck stops there. If you praise someone for a team's success, you cannot have it both ways. JT might want to retire on his laurels, he has a family and young child, or he might want to try once more to bring a team to greatness. But, it is time to go. Bernie Williams might retire as well ... next up, playing his music somewhere in the Village or something.
Let's go Mets. I guess there is an edge to Oakland, the third seed with home field advantage, but Tigers/As seems like something of a crapshoot. Cards/Mets promises to be more of the same, though surely a bit tougher than the first round. I'm thinking Mets in 6 with a few bullpen meltdowns, at least one coming from our end. Trachsel or Perez has to come up with a good game. Glavine or Maine will have a questionable one. And, offense and clutch pitching (the series was clinched by a key out with Nomar at bat) will be essential. Overall, a bit less pressure -- failing in the first round would have been a waste. At worst, this will be a pretty good year.
With useful changes, a honest Yankee fan would say that is true for both teams.
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* Yes, though the actual day Columbus discovered the West Indies was October 12, 1492, Columbus Day is being observed today to allow a three day weekend. Another way would have been to observe it on Friday, since all those superstitious people are staying home in their beds anyway. OTOH, many Italians do need an extra day to deal with the Yankee collapse, and the day is in effect their St. Patrick's Day in some respects. Note that he worked for Spain, which is somewhat ironic. BTW, Chris was not the best of guys, but I'll let others reaffirm the point.
As noted on Democracy Now!, it is totally unclear why we are honoring someone who did not even discover our own country, which obviously was discovered years earlier. It is probably likely that even Europeans (Vikings) hit the North America coast years before though I guess one can say they did not set up permanent settlements and so forth. Still, we don't honor the founding of Jamestown, or the voyages of Cabot -- the beginnings of English claims on the land in the 1490s.
After all, the guy discovered (for the Europeans) the North American mainland.