Two Must-Reads
While I continue my plans to dismantle the Yankees (joking) I thought I would point out two very interesting articles on the net today.
The first is a very different take on the Joe Torre decision. I like Heyman and I think he is usually very plugged into the Yankees' situation since he used to cover them for Newsday, but I hope he is wrong here. At this point, it is a pointless argument, but Heyman's piece is really about the first one I have seen that didn't praise Joe for his choice and therefore I pointed it out.
The second is far more important. Let me say right off the bat before the Boston fans rise up against me that I don't think there is a conspiracy here, but like Rosenthal concludes, this is a terrible job by baseball. Bad job by me that I hadn't realized before that Mitchell was a member of the Red Sox organization, serving on the board. He should be required to step down from that immediately because even though I trust his integrity, it is a potential conflct of interest and a bad position for a person who has to be neutral to be in.
Comments
Peter, you are right about Mitchell. Seems like a conflict to me. Not sure why other teams and the MLBPA isn't voicing a bigger concern (or hasn't over the past year) about it.
Posted by: Andy | October 23, 2007 09:28 PM |
I think the Torre story rings truer to me.
Posted by: tim | October 24, 2007 01:14 AM |
I had read the Ken Davidson's story early yesterday on Newsday's website, then Heyman's piece later. Obviously, if it is true, it demonstrates that Torre is a much better spin master than many of us -- including, of course, Yankees' management -- may have given him credit for. Regardless of whether or not it is true -- and I think it may very well be -- Yankees' management has not acquitted themselves well here. They were easily outmaneuvered and have been skewered in the court of public opinion. Hank Steinbrenner's subsequent statements -- basically, that George did Joe a huge favor by giving him a sure-fire world champion, thereby rescuing his career -- imply that he still doesn't get it. He needs to keep quiet and let it go. The deed is done. It was handled badly, and every time they try to defend themselves, they prolong the agony. There is simply no way that they are going to come out smelling like roses on this one.
Posted by: Greg | October 24, 2007 12:39 PM |
Greg, I couldn't agree more with that. It's like getting into an argument with your wife about your mother-in-law. The longer it goes the more difficult you make it for yourself, not matter how right you are.
Posted by: tim | October 24, 2007 07:29 PM |
Peter,
An article in the NY Times by Murray Chass nicely complements the Heyman and Davidson articles. The article, entitled "Past Contracts for Torre Had Incentives", can be found at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/25/sports/baseball/25chass.html?_r=2&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Having decided to publicly air his grievances, I frankly feel that it behooves Joe Torre to address the issues raised in these articles.
Posted by: Greg | October 26, 2007 09:34 AM |
Greg
I caught that one and the interview Torre did on HBO the other night. I agree with you. Joe can't say that incentives were insulting this time around if he accepted them in his deals in the past. It doesn't add up and if he is going to keep doing interviews (he is scheduled for Letterman on Monday) he needs to explain the difference.
Personally, I don't see one and I hope Joe and the Yankees realize there is nothing left to gain from talking about this any longer.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 26, 2007 10:46 AM
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