Joe, Don’t Go

     Twelve years, six trips to "The Fall Classic," and four chapionships.  Is Joe Torre’s reign as manager of the New York Yankees over?

     This past season, the Yankees overcame great odds to play October baseball, but their bid for another championship ended, in four games, against the Cleveland Indians.  I was confident before the series, because New York won the season series 6-0.

     The Indians had everything going their way.  The Yankees never had the pitching, hitting, or fielding to win the series.  In game one Chin Ming Wang surrendered 7 earned runs, while lasting one inning and giving up four runs in game 4.  In game 2, Joba Chamberlain gave up two wild pitches, which allowed Cleveland to tie the game and later win in the eleventh.  When the Yankees returned home, Principle Owner George Steinbrenner said that he would fire Torre if the Yanks didn’t make it out of the ALDS.  In game 3, the Yankees struggled early and Derek Jeter grounded into two double plays.  Johnny Damon gave them hope by hitting a three-run homerun, which proved to be the game winner.  Cleveland won the series 3-1.

     If Steinbrenner sticks to his word, the Bronx wont be the same without Torre.  He has had more success than any other Yankee manager and shouldn’t take the blame for the defeat to Cleveland.  Before the All-Star game, it was doubtful whether or not the Yankees would play any October baseball.  Torre turned the team around.  If this is the end of an era, he will be truly missed by players and fans.