MFY Press Conference

[metirish]

Nothing much here.

] RYE, N.Y. -- Joe Torre told his side of the story Friday, saying the incentives in the New York Yankees' contract offer were an "insult." "I just felt the contract offer, the terms of the contract, were probably the thing I had the toughest time with -- the one year for one thing, the incentives for another thing," Torre said of his reasons for declining the offer. "I've been there 12 years and I didn't think motivation was needed." "We knew exactly what was expected here," he said, "So, I just didn't think it was the right thing for me, I just didn't think it was the right thing for my players." Torre, who won four World Series with the Yankees and made the playoffs each of his 12 seasons, on Thursday turned down a one-year offer that would have cut his base pay to $5 million, a reduction of $2.5 million, but offered $3 million in performance-based incentives and an $8 million option for 2009 if the Yankees won the 2008 AL pennant. Torre, who had just completed a $19.2 million, three-year contract, turned down the deal after meeting for an hour in Tampa with team owner George Steinbrenner, his sons Hal and Hank and team management. Torre, who thanked the team, its fans and Steinbrenner, said that the Thursday meeting went 20 minutes and that there was no negotiation on the proposed contract terms. Asked if he would return if the team reconsidered, Torre said he wasn't expecting that to happen. He said committment, not money, was the biggest factor. "I like to work with people -- there's a certain trust that has to be earned and forged in order to have the commitment to follow," Torre said. "I can't answer that question because I don't anticipate it happening. If someone wanted me to manage here, I'd be managing here." "Yes it was a very generous offer," he added, "but it wasn't the type of commitment that 'we're trying to do something together,' as opposed to 'let me see what you can do for me.'"

[G-Fafif]

Good lord, this Torre thing has gone on longer than his entire managerial tenure.

[bmfc1]

I enjoyed listening to part of it, not because I like the guy but because the media is almost united (Joel Sherman is the only apparent exception) in saying that the Yankees screwed this one up. However, the press conference changed to a love-fest and made me ill. After awhile, I expected Suzyn Waldman to run out and tearfully give Torre a kiss.

And that wasn't sexist, as she claimed. I'd say that about any broadcaster, male or female, for any team that cried on air about a player or manager about to leave the team.

[G-Fafif]

She will no doubt be as effusive in her emotions when Donnie (or whoever) is named manager. And just as defensive about her unprofessional reaction.