Did Saturday’s win save Joe Torre’s job? Or is it going to take more than one win to save it? Only George Steinbrenner knows this answer. But should Torre be held responsible? Or should GM Brian Cashman be made the scapegoat because he’s the one who assembled the 2007 team.
Before Saturday’s eventual win over the Red Sox, Cashman and Torre addressed the media.
Brian Cashman:
“Right now, it’s definitely frustrating with what’s going on, and we understand anything could happen because of it,” said general manager Brian Cashman, who noted all decisions lie in the hands of principal owner George Steinbrenner
“The owner has the final decision on everything,” Cashman said. “It’s his team.”
Joe Torre:
“This is my responsibility,” Torre said. “I don’t want to pawn off and say, ‘It’s not my fault.’ I’m in charge here. I’m certainly not shying away from any responsibility. If you’re going to enjoy the good times, you’ve certainly got to deal with some potholes.
“I’m not going to throw anybody to the wolves at this point. This is the team and I’m in charge. We have to find a way to get it done. It’s not the fact that you can’t win because this guy can’t play or this guy can’t pitch. We have to find a way to win — that’s my mentality.”
“I understand [Steinbrenner’s] frustrations and obviously the history that goes on here,” Torre said. “But that’s what you understand when you take on this job. As far as everything else, I’m going to do the best I can to please him and make him proud of that ballclub.”
“Hey, I’ve got a job to do,” Torre said. “I certainly don’t go out there and manage to try and keep my job. I manage to try to win ballgames. I’ve been doing it for 20-something years. I’m not comfortable with the fact we’re losing.
“It’s never a comfortable feeling, whether I’m with Yankees or any other team. I can’t concern myself with what might happen. I’ve got to concern myself with what happens on the field and hopefully we can turn this thing around.”
Personally, I don’t think it’s Torre’s fault that his starters can’t get out of the 5th inning (Not including today’s). His starting pitching has been decimated by injuries. He just got Wang back and now he’s going to lose Karstens for an indefinite amount of time. He gets Mussina back on Thursday.
I can only venture a guess that Roger Clemens cell phone is being lit up right now.
