Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Joe Torre - A Disappointment

Was reading an article yesterday about this season's spring training. They were comparing the styles of the old manager, Joe Torre - with the new Manager - Joe Girardi. They were talking about how Torre gave no direction during spring training and just 'had faith' that the players were doing what they need to do to get ready for the new season.

And, worse yet, during the post season there was a game were bugs were literally swarming around the players. You could see the pitcher's neck heavily dotted with bugs. Torre could've requested a stop play - so they could hold off until conditions were better. But he never did. Up to that point, the Yankees were on a clear path to winning - and had the bugs not been a factor, they would have.

I'm really turned off by his hands off approach. That's why great teams start declining in wins - when you get too comfortable in the process and don't strive to improve it. Girardi is taking a more hands on approach to managing and doing a better job of getting the team ready for the start of the season. Getting Torre off the team was a great move, if you ask me.

Can't wait until the season starts!

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Where did they get their facts from? I'd question the info. first. (Not that you haven't) I mean, I question it because the media always either "makes it up" or exaggerates.Y es, I think that Torre made a bad call during the postseason game, but I don't think he is a disappointment. (JMO) If you have the link, please forward it. I'd like to read it.

Genjer Leigh said...

It was in an article that had direct quotes from players comparing Girardi and Torre's management style. They were by no means trying to insult or put down Torre. But I just don't approve of his style.

They said that Torre had "faith" in his players and just let them do their thing in spring training. Whereas Giradi is right there with the players and more hands on. And it was a direct quote from Torre that he regrets not calling a stop play for that game full of bugs. He was even advised to stop the game but declined.

I think he is disappointing because he was not striving to have his players perform to their maximum. Even the most talented teams start declining because they get to comfortable with their standards. I took a whole course on the power of teams that illustrated this point. Torre knew the Yankees were always falling just shy of where they needed to be yet he just stayed the course instead of trying to do anything significant to resolve it.