Is Torre AL Manager of the year?

by stillmonster on Sep 27, 2007 10:45 PM EDT

I know, I know. Many people here have been calling for Torre's head for some time, and with much good support for these claims. However, even these individuals cannot deny the amazing turn around he has produced with the Yankees. When I look around the AL this year, I see a relatively uninspiring collection of managers (as far as MOY award goes.) I don't see anything special in Scioscia's or Francona's season, and I also don't see any feel good story non-playoff teams that could produce a MOY award. The only other candidate I can see is Eric Wedge from Cleveland. I thought they were as good as dead after the Yankees took that series frorm them, but here they are in the playoffs. Also, Wedge did it without much help from Hafner and with a slightly less-than-expected year from Sizemore.

I don't need to get into what Torre has done this year, we've all seen the sloppiness/cluelessness in teh beginning of the year and then the turn-around this club made. A team written off by everyone stormed back to make the playoffs, presumabely with much help from their leader, Joe Torre. In my mind, he is the Manager of the Year in the AL. What do you guys think?

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

He'll get some votes, probably

But I think Wedge will probably win it.

by PsiFighter37 on Sep 27, 2007 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

Two weeks ago

I would have picked McLaren, because he kept an obviously inferior team in contention in the AL. But since Seattle fell apart at the same time as Cleveland surged toward the best record, and Cleveland comes from a division with 2 other legitimate contenders Wedge gets the nod.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Sep 27, 2007 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions

McLaren

McLaren was my pick 2 weeks ago as well. That was also just after when the Indians had been slumping. Wedge is in a similar position to Torre, in my mind, because his team had high expectations, slumped for a while (although not as bad as the Yankees), and then pulled away. I think the fact that the Indians ended up running away with the division (more because the Tigers sucked) will help Wedge's case.

"It's great to be young and a Yankee"

by stillmonster on Sep 28, 2007 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Wedge would get my vote

"Baseball is the background music of my life." -George Will

by Ronster22 on Sep 28, 2007 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

i think torre for MOY is valid point

i'm no huge fan of torre's in game managerial skills... but his players all seem to respect and worship the guy, doing anything to to win for him. the yanks always had the talent, but i don't see this turnaround happening with out the clubhouse atmosphere that torre seems to have established.

that said, i hope: WS champs, MOY for Torre, and he retires and rides off into the sunset as one of the all-time greats.

Well, baseball was my whole life. Nothing's ever been as fun as baseball. -Mickey Mantle

by NumberSeven on Sep 28, 2007 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

How many all-time greats

road off in the sunset? Part of being an all-time great is always believing in yourself.

The great ones (Ruth, Stengel, Mantle, Mays, etc) get put out to pasture.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Sep 29, 2007 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions

eh hem...

signature...

Eleven wins in October...

by Edwantsacracker on Sep 29, 2007 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Tip O'the Cap

Um, maybe you guys didn't take the division, but the Yankees pulled off one of the greatest rallies in the last 20+ years of baseball. You can't do that with a bad manager or even a middling one. Yes, there have been issues with the bullpen but you're in the Post season -- that is an achievement that should be recognized. Also, I can't say I watched too closely, but how much of the early season slump was cluelessnes on Torre's part? I seem to remember the bats (which are THE key engine of this team) going very, very dead in late May and June. Torre gets MOY in my opinion, no contest.

Lurking Red Sox Fan

by B Cap on Sep 29, 2007 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

I am sure you are surprised to hear

Torre has my vote for MOY.

The Opera ain't over til the fat lady sings

by Cbeck3 on Sep 30, 2007 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Stunned

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Sep 30, 2007 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Torre for MOY

This is actually a most interesting question. For a very long time I have felt that Torre was the right manager for this team--especially the veterans who always recieve Torre's greatest loyalty. But this year has proven to be a breakthrough year as Torre (and Cashman) have turned more and more toward youthful talent in addition to relying heavily on Cano and Cabrerra (virtual veterans at this point). What makes Torre an excellent candidate for MOY is that his style has worked equally well with the youth as with the veterans. He has my vote.

Let me offer just a bit of analysis concerning Torre's greatest perceived weakness--handling the bullpen. All over baseball, the 100 pitch pitchcount for starters has led managers to overuse and burn out their relievers. Torre is as much a victim of pitch counts as every other manager. Maybe, like Joba Rules, pitch count rules need to be broken.

Larry the Baseball God

by Larry the Baseball God on Oct 4, 2007 8:54 AM EDT reply actions