A couple weeks ago, as MLB's inter-league play began it's merciful end, the Dodgers hosted the rubber match of a hotly contested three game series against the New York Yankees. Coincidentally the ex-Yankee skipper and now the brain trust of the Los Angeles Dodgers re-affirmed why he is widely considered among the worst managers in the history of baseball. Dumber than Dumberer.
Your bulk fuel salesman on the edge of town could have coached the various star-studded lineups this buffoon has been anointed with over the years and still he makes the identical blunders that has befuddled the mainstream of MLB philosophy for years.
Torre was a wonderful player - a catcher with power and superlative defensive skills, but evidentially took one too many hard foul balls off of his mask over the years. He played with Milwaukee until they moved to Atlanta and fit in nicely with stars like Henry Aaron and Eddie Matthews then spent about five years as a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. He won a batting championship and MVP in 1971 proving you don't have to be smart to hit. Never confuse Torre with the modern day geniuses who guide and coax the best out of whatever lineups their franchises can afford. Ask Lou Piniella.
Torre became manager de-facto of the Bombers in 1996 and won nine pennants in 11 years with the superstars nobody else could afford. His tenure in the National League, as a witless bench boss, saw him fail miserably with the Mets and to rub salt in his managerial wounds, his more than adequate clubs in Atlanta and St Louis stunk. Torre was a failure. He is an enigma wrapped up in expensive gift paper - a farce.
As I sit here today I hereby claim an utter visceral superiority over this clown and will use several anecdotal affidavits to implore to help you understand why I should be managing an MLB team - if only at the expense of Torre.
Going into game three of a mini-series with the Yanks, the Dodgers had split, but were forced to use Clydesdale closer Jonathon Broxton for a four-out save in game two.
With a four-run lead going into the ninth inning of the game three, Torre's over-inflated ego cost his team the series and illuminated his wanton disregard for the abuse of a valuable bullpen. Make no mistake, Broxton is a workhorse with un-hittable stuff, but after a second hard night of squaring off against the AL East's finest he finally caved in. Torre once again called for Broxton and his 99MPH heatersuddenly turnedvery hittable.
Torre left him to rot and the Yankees pounded him like the veal you get when the calves are actually steers approaching 30 years of age. Broxton may never recover and the ego of Torre to focus so intently on the demise of his former team is testimony to his ineptness as a baseball manager.
As a radical republican fundamentalist once said: "bundle us as sticks and we will burn in unison, each one brighter and hotter than if left alone". Even the greenest of twigs will contribute to the blaze, but wither and die without the rest of the bullpen." I take some liberty with part of that quote.
With a four run lead heading into the ninth inning it was all about Torre beating the Yankees and after Broxton threw over 50 pitches to help blow the game, it will never be Torre's fault - unless of course you subscribe to my column.
Great managers utilize their entire rosters. Torre manages to get his name in the newspapers. I guess he succeeded and won this one.
