Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
I realized tonight: it’s a little strange that I have, literally, dozens of happy memories associated with watching a 60-something year old man weep openly on national television. That man, of course, is Joe Torre, and the occasion tonight was the Yankees’ 12-4 win and newly clinched playoff spot – in a year where, as you may have heard, they were at one point just a teensy bit back in the standings. You may hate Joe Torre’s managing style, you may think he should be fired at the end of the season, but it’s still hard to be unmoved by such a great example of a classic American type: the crusty, tough old outer-borough New Yorker with a sentimental streak a mile wide. Nobody in sports cries like Joe Torre.
Under the circumstances, you couldn’t ask for a much better hand of cards than Chien-Ming Wang vs. J.P. Howell at the Trop. In the days since they’ve dropped the “Devil” from their logo and uniforms, the Rays have attracted an enormous and enthusiastic crowd of devoted Christian fans, who -- … okay, not really. The place was maybe half full, and by the sound of it, the crowd was at least 80% pro-Yankee.
Wang wasn’t at his best tonight, and struggled a bit with his control, but he kept the damage to a minimum. Despite allowing seven hits and three walks in six innings, he only allowed two runs. Meanwhile, the Yankees couldn’t do much against Howell their first time through the order (if they lost I was going to say the offense was a “Howelling abyss”, so be grateful they pulled this one out), but in the fourth inning they took a 2-1 lead on a Jeter solo shot and an error, walk, and series of groundouts. In the fifth, Howell lost it completely, and his bullpen relief didn’t do much better: the Yankees batted around and scored seven runs, with the big blows a bases-loaded Jorge Posada single, and Robinson Cano’s subsequent three-run home run.
For all intents and purposes the game was over, though New York did tack on three more in the next inning against Jeff Ridgway, proud owner of a 189.00 ERA. (But did I mention that they’ve removed the “Devil” from their uniforms? Come on down!). I don’t think anyone was paying much attention to the last four innings, including, judging by their defense, the Rays. And Jorge Posada was apparently so surprised to see Jay Witasick still alive and pitching in the majors that he did a violent double-take, and appeared to tweak his neck (that’s my theory, anyway), but stayed in the game. Joba Chamberlain got through a scoreless inning with help from an excellent Melky Cabrera catch; Jose Vizcaino ran into trouble in the eighth and gave up two runs; Mariano Rivera came on for the ninth, not because he was needed, but because Torre wanted his stalwarts in the game when they clinched.
Which they did, finally, when Greg Norton popped out to Robinson Cano. Torre, as he has so many times before under similar circumstances, had already begun to tear up when the ball hit the mitt. It was a relatively subdued celebration on the mound – lots of smiles and warm hugs, a little jumping around, but not too much craziness. That didn't last once the team reached the clubhouse, however: most of the bullpen ganged up on Roger Clemens, who was at the receiving end of at least five spraying bottles at once, and was so blinded Jorge Posada had to lead him to safety. Mariano Rivera got it just as bad. Derek Jeter, on the other hand, stayed mostly dry – “I know where to hide,” he explained later, when it was safe (I don’t think Jeter really starts celebrating until the ALCS).
A sopping wet Joba Chamberlain was asked by Kim Jones if he even feels nervous on the mound anymore: “I play it off pretty good, don’t I?” he asked with a grin. "With the playoffs coming we’ve got a chance to do some special things and THAT’S REALLY COLD,” he added, as Edwar Ramirez doused him in beer. (You’ve gotta love the part of the celebration where they run out of champagne and just switch to Bud). Later, a tag team of Ramirez, Cano and Chamberlain succeeded in completely and utterly distracting Abreu from his YES interview, leaving him laughing helplessly in the middle of a lost thought, as Ramirez gently toweled him off.
The emotional highlight, though, was as always Joe Torre. He was already looking dangerously sniffly when the interview began; when Cano and Cabrera dumped two entire bottles of champagne on his head, he choked up. “You love them,” he said. “I mean, I can’t help it.” When Kim Jones told him the vets had been praising his leadership and resilience, the real waterworks began.
Torre's status for next year is up in the air, and if the Yankees go down in the Division Series again, this could very well be his last emotional, booze-soaked moment of triumph with the Yankees. He took a lot of criticism this year, some of it very valid, but there's no doubt he'll be missed when he's gone; maybe he can manage a bullpen better or maybe not, but will Joe Girardi ever be as moved by a couple of giddy kids bouncing around with champagne?
It's fun watching Torre get emotional, and he is hard to not like, but win or lose, I think it is still time to make a change, assuming the Yankees can indentify the right candidate.
En-er-GY! En-er-GY! En-er-GY! En-er-GY! En-er-GY!
I'm not the type to slap political statements on my bumper, but I'd proudly rock a "Torre In '08" sticker.
For the record, I drive a trusty, rusty 4-Runner, not a 4-Ringer.
and go yankees
Ali Larter and Al Leiter? Kim Jones can put the microphone in Ali's face, and Al can talk from off-camera.
You rock, E-Span!
Torre better keep himself in shape, so that he's around to be inducted into the Hall of Fame when he does retire. I'll be there, and I bet many of you will be too.
Joe crying, Doug M. seemed close to doing so to, the joy in everyones faces, kim jones absolutely drenched, made me choke up too. I love this team with all my heart. Go Yankees.
http://tinyurl.com/238wnt
In case you didn't see it live, that is. :)
Plus, you have the added bonus of seeing me fidle with my DVR settings while they make the final out! :P
http://tinyurl.com/3yce3w
3 things that made me laugh
1) Jeter to Kim Jones before she ased her first question, he deadpanned, "Nice Look." She definitely looked like a drowned rat by the end.
2) Cano dropping a spanish F-bomb after one of the other young'ns doused him. My wife had to clue me in to this one.
3) Michael Kay said the other night he would be worried about Shelly Duncan in the clubhouse "just smashing champagne bottles around,"
Classic. Bring on the Tribe.
I will say this too, there isn't a manager in history who hasn't been critiqued for his bullpen usage, at some point in their career it bites them in their ass. Torre isn't above this, but what bugs me is when people start saying stuff like:
"I hate Torre"
"Fire Torre"
"Clueless Joe"
"Mr.Green Tea"
"Torre kills bullpen arms"
I just think his teams have given me so many great memories that if I start complaining about the bad times, then it makes the good times meaningless. You stick with someone through the good and bad, if you believe in them. I always believed in Torre.
I take the attitude of my team's leader, in 1995 I was more jittery because I'd see Buck look nervous and anxious.
Even when things were bad, I did get nervous and angry during some brief moments, but then I'd see Torre and he managed to give me comfort that things will be alright. Since 1996, I've been using that logic and it hasn't failed me and this year has been no different. Sometimes you have to ride the wave.....and it's been a Tsunami type of wave this year.
Joe, thanks for the memories.....I never stopped believing in you.
Play today, win today. Let's go Yanks!!!
He's a good guy, that Dougie.
Uh, do you really have to add in that last little part? I'm sure Jeter was getting annoyed.
23 Yeah - that was some interview. I was like "wow - who is this humble guy". Didn't seem at all like the guy who would arguing with the Sox about who owned that baseball. Maybe he just hated the Sox. Maybe he's not such a bad guy afterall, lol.
Funny, I sorta thought Jeter was a wet blanket during the whole thing. Shouldn't the captain of the team be in the middle of the mess, instead of off to the side saying things like "It feels good and we're in the playoffs, but we have a lot of work left. This is a starting point. We haven't accomplished anything yet." Yeah yeah yeah - we know that, Derek. We get it, but geez for one night couldn't you just keep that in and celebrate? The team did accomplish something - a thing most sports pundits said was all but impossible just a few months ago. Give the "world series or failure" a rest for just one night, would ya?
Joe was great, as usual. Kim Jones - God bless her - gets blasted every year. I wonder if she volunteers for that duty or draws the short straw. She was a mess, but looked like she was having a great time just the same.
Great night. I was choked up right along with Joe. Can't help it. I was proud, too.
i hope hughes pitches a solid game tonight. i have a feeling he'll have to come up big in the PS and it would be nice to go in on a high note...
However, I can't let that change my opinion that he's horrible with bullpens, makes downright strange strategic moves, and is over reliant on vets, unless his hand is forced.
That Joe Torre is a good guy with a special relationship with his players doesn't my perception of his baseball acumen.
4 Torre in '08? Sure thing, as long as the only 'veterans' available for the bullpen are Mo and Viz (goodbye Villone, Farns, and Bruney), and Joba starts no matter what, and Betemit is the BUMI. =)
No, no, wait...you are the bomb DIGGITY.
"Later on, a playful A-Rod begged Jeter -- by now dried and dressed -- for "one last hug" in the champagne-soaked room.
As Jeter protested, A-Rod lifted him into the air." - Pete Caldera
"This feels like home. It's hard to believe that I played for another two organizations. So much has happened to me here, adversity, some success, that I feel like anything but New York feels weird for me now."
Cracked me up.
Besides which, it's the truth.
I like the little rapport the two of them have.
Earlier in the season when Derek was hit by a pitch, Kim asked whether it hurt.
Derek responded with a hint of petulance something like, "Well, Kim why don't you go stand over there and I'll throw the ball at you...of course it hurt, but it doesn't matter."
Those two should be boyfriend/girlfriend.
Don't leave us on tenterhooks, Miss Scarlett!
Maybe they got married in Gibraltar near Spain.
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