Posted on 10/07/2007 7:46:08 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
Report: Steinbrenner says Torre's job on the line against Indians
ESPN.com news services
As the Yankees stand on the brink of elimination in the first round of the playoffs for the third season in a row, owner George Steinbrenner says longtime manager Joe Torre needs his team to advance to the ALCS if he wants to keep managing the club.
"His job is on the line," Steinbrenner told The Bergen 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 makes $7 million a season and is in the final year of his contract.
The Cleveland Indians lead the Yankees 2-0 in their American League Division Series.
In Sunday's Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, Roger Clemens will take the mound for New York while Jake Westbrook will start for Cleveland.
During his 12 years leading the Yankees, Torre has taken the Bronx Bombers to 12 consecutive playoff appearances and four World Series titles.
"He's been good for us over the years," Steinbrenner acknowledged to the paper.
Steinbrenner also had some choice words about retiring veteran umpire Bruce Froemming and his decision to play through the late-game bug infestation during Friday's Game 2 extra-inning victory for the Indians.
"The umpire was full of [expletive]," Steinbrenner told the paper. "He won't umpire our games anymore."
The wide-ranging interview with The Bergen Record also touched on Alex Rodriguez's future and Steinbrenner's health.
"I think we'll re-sign him," Steinbrenner said of A-Rod. "I think he's going to have a good run the rest of the [postseason]. I think he realizes New York is the place to be, the place to play. A lot of this [postseason] is laying on his shoulders, you know, but I think he's up to it."
The 77-year-old owner, who told the paper he maintains full control over the Yankees, downplayed reports of his ill health.
"I'm doing all right," he told The Record. "I'm fine."
Their middle relief is indeed lousy, but if Clemens gets bounced early they won't even get a sniff of the mound. Expect to see either Mussina or Hughes in such a situation (their 4th and 5th starters).
If they avoid the injury bug next year I fully expect them to be back in the playoffs either as a division winner or as the wild card.
Not exactly appealing options there either.
The teams split the season series 4 - 4.
Maybe if Torres gets fired, he can get a job with the Orioles. Then he can work for the slimeball who inherited Steinbrenner’s mantle as the absolutely worst owner in sports. The Orioles will never field a winning team again until The Montrous Midget is just a bad memory in Baltimore history.
STATS A-Rod has been hopelessly unsuccessful at bat in his PO career with the Yanks except in '04 when he was part of the biggest CHOKE in history!
I would rather put in some young kid who could at least try to bunt himself on than take a chance in the playoffs with A-Rod. You'd would have NOTHING to lose at all.
I’m a die-hard Angels fan and the only consolation for our elimination would be to see the Yankee fail, again.
Hey Whinebrenner, the Indians played under the same conditions.
So what are you going to do? Something underhanded or illegal I suppose.
L0L Its the end of an Era. Buh Bye Joe.
Wh00p em tribe!
So A-Rod Finally gets a hit, and the next man up hits into
a double play...Beautiful!
Ok, so I was off by 1 inning. Clemens gone in the third!
Last night one of them (Hughes) sure was; and tonight the other one (Mussina) will be.
Any Bosox fan worth his salt is hoping to see the Yanks in the ALCS -- the way it should be.
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