Soriano Blows a Save, What was left out of "The Torre Years"

Soriano Blows a Save
It happens. I don't care if he didn't talk to the writers. See me after 50 or 60 games, and I'll tell you how the season is going.


HIGH AND TIGHT
I hate books that settle scores, especially when they are ghost-written.

Buck Showalter was the best manager of the Yankees since Billy Martin, but his track record is very similar to Billy's with regard to playing in the sandbox, albeit without all the drinking and carousing. I don't know if you noticed the "tent city" in front of Camden Yards (trust me, it's there) to take the most attractive job in sports, next Manager of the Orioles. That's the guy who after Buck pushes his bosses to can him, gets a ticket to World Series glory with Buck's leftovers. Fourth time's a charm!

Anyway, into the madness that was the end of the 1995 Yankee season, unbeknownst to the NY writers who would later suck up to him, Joe Torre was "Clueless Joe". He turned out to be a calming influence to a very high-strung group, leading them to 5 AL Pennants and 4 World Championships in 6 seasons. Former GM Gene Michael had built a "Money Ball" team of high on-base percentages, even though their cash flow was much greater than the one employed in Oakland.

I will always cherish those years, as the repeat of the traditional Yankee Dynasty had returned in my lifetime. And while "St. Joseph's" calming influence was essential, it was the type of team where the Manager just needed to stay out of the way. Admittedly, Joe wasn't a real "x's and o's" guy, and their run of luck changed as the team aged after the Game 7 loss in 2001. But really, Arizona outplayed the Yankees in every game except the 3rd.

What followed that season was a string of crushing losses, some of which could have been averted. This where I take issue with the book "The Torre Years" co-written by Tom Verducci, generally an excellent writer. Somehow, a real discussion of the following events didn't seem to make the book. I'm not 2nd guessing here, because I am repeating things I said as they were happening. Here we go:

2003: WS Games 4 & 5-
Up 2 games to 1, the game in Miami goes to extra innings. Jeff Weaver, the Yankees worst pitcher is summoned, somehow gets through an inning, and then gives up a lead-off HR to Alez Gonzalez, tying the series. Mariano Rivera, the Yankees best pitcher has not pitched, and in fact, will not see action again in the Series. The explanation in the book was to the effect that: Mo-is-the-closer-I-need-a-save-on-the road-who-will-save-the-game-if-Mo-pitches-any-manager-would-do-this.

Really? Maybe in July, not October. I'll go slowly:

When you are on the road in a Championship situation and reach "last licks" for the home team while tied, any run ends the game. If you believe in your Closer, you take the 2 innings. Who knows, you could score 7 runs in the top of that 3rd inning, and not need a closer. BUT YOU NEED TO GET THERE FIRST. YOU PLAY FOR TODAY!!!

OK, no sweat. We have David Wells going in Game 5. However, Mr. Wells had apparently been telling pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre all day that his back was sore. Wells leaves after 1 inning, and Florida is gifted a 3-2 Series lead when the bullpen implodes. Wells' version is that Joe and Mel threw him under the bus, and I think I know why:

In mid-season, it would have been the 5th day, Andy Pettitte's regular day to pitch. However, this was not the back-up plan, because Andy was not in Florida for the game, HE WAS HOME IN NEW YORK RESTING!!! IT WAS THURSDAY NIGHT! COULDN'T HE HAVE WATCHED HIS TEAM IN THE WORLD SERIES, AND STILL HAVE PITCHED SATURDAY NIGHT?

2004: ALCS Game 6-
Game 7 was very painful. Game 6 was when the Series was lost. Can anyone explain to me again why nobody bunted on Curt Schilling and his bad ankle, you know, to get him moving around a little? Were we too proud? Bonus question: what was the nature of Schilling's last play in that game? ANSWER: He covered 1st on a roller by Bernie Williams, and immediately had to leave the game. One bunt may have altered the Series, and history.

2006: ALDS Game 3-
Kenny Rogers once pitched -- badly -- for the Yankees. Did they think he had skin cancer? We could all see the pine tar on TV.

2007: ALDS Game 2-
Joba is eaten alive by bugs, and nary a peep from Joe. That team should have been pulled from the field, and forced the Umpires and Groundskeepers to deal with it, not a Rookie with 22 MLB innings.

Before "writing" a tell-all, I really would have liked to have heard a little something on these events, as any one was a "firing" offense. There was very little honesty conveyed, and he just portrayed himself as a victim. The book glossed over these occurrences.

The truth is, he just really hung on 3 years too long.