With the rumors rolling in the Big Apple that George Steinbrenner is about to give Joe Torre his pink slip, it was refreshing to hear Terry Francona of the Red Sox of Boston provide his perspective.
While I've never met Joe, a handshake and thank you from me to Terry presented me the opportunity to address the Bosox Skipper back in the summer at Fenway.
As most of you know, Mr. Francona has to endure an interview from my daughter Tina Cervasio after EVERY game. Not that she doesn't do a pretty good job of pulling stuff out of the Sox' Skipper, but to have to speak with the same person every game, win or lose? It's tough on Tina too!
But Terry has always been a patient gentleman with her, and as a Father, he's got my vote. Admittedly, I remember her as a cheerleader, dancer, and shotputter, not a star at America's favorite past time! So, Tino has always been helpful to her assignment, and I thanked him in the dugout one night before a game. "... just for being a gentleman to my daughter Tina." He humbly accepted my thanksgiving.
Better yet, I heard Francona respond to an interviewer's question about his take on the possible Torre departure. As you fans may know, he emphasized that while they are cool when on opposites sides of the foul lines, he has great respect and admiration for Joe. In fact, he was particularly disturbed that the job was held over Torre's head during the playoffs with the Indians.
Some may ask, "Well, what'ya expect him to say?"
Hey, guys, where I come from, sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it. And, Terry sincerely expressed his concern as a fellow manager and as an admirer of Joe that the announcement of that ultimatum that raised the question of Joe's future could not have been further from the right thing to do, and at the wrong time.
Should Joe stay? Well, it's been a long time since I picked up a bat, but with Tina's role these days, I pay a little attention. It seems to me that to win in the bigs you need pitching. And Joe did not have it this year. To do what theYankees did after the All Star break, Torre should be named "Manager of the Year." Were all his decisions sound? Of course not.
To fire him, ... well, George, let the young guys make the decision. Smell the roses down there in Florida and give it up. You fire Torre, and this guy really does become an ex-Yankee fan. And so does my Dad and my Father-in-law, watching from the other side. Fenway's gonna still be there in 2009... a great family park, indeed! I hear ya blowin' up the House that Ruth built, too! Another great decision, ugh!
You can get more at www.yankees.mlb.com or www.bostonredsox.mlb.com
Well, Terry and Joe: Competitive Class Acts!
Joe Cervasio in Boca, heading back to a Jersey wedding later this week. Doesn't get any better!
Joe, welcome to Red Sox Nation! The Nation is growing 'one Cervasio at a time'. The Yankees will continue to implode as long as Cashman is the GM. They will tie up too much money resigning A-Rod and Rivera instead of getting back to a solid rotation and high OBP hitters like they had in '96. Meanwhile, the Sox and Pats will continue to bring new hardware back to the new "Title Town". P.S. - it will be nice to see Torre in a Mets uni.
Posted by: Devon | October 25, 2007 at 06:34 AM
Devon, as I look back on your comments, I must admit they were prophetic! On the other hand, I just returned from Mars, picked up an old paper from last February, and discovered the GIANTS defeated the Patriots in something called the Super Bowl? And then a baseball team from Tampa, Florida (??) sent the Bosox home early in the Fall? Could that be true?
Miss ya, man. Hope the family is good, about to enjoy a wonderful Boston/New England Christmas.
God bless,
Joe
Posted by: Joe C. | December 12, 2008 at 11:48 AM