Stay Just A Little Bit Longer

Remember when I called the Steinbrenner bros a "couple of maroons" (among other endearments)... dig this, refering to deals the Yankees are proposing to Posada and Rivera (from an online article, published today, by Tyler Kempler in The New York Times):

The Yankees made offers of roughly three years and $40 million to both players, who can talk about money with other teams Tuesday.

“They were fair offers,” Steinbrenner (Hank) said. “But there’s no question, within reason — because you can’t be an idiot — we’re going to make very generous offers."

Ooops, Hank... you leave yourself wide open.

Joe Says Goodbye... for now.

I really had a hard time bringing myself to post this entry... the words are hard to come by. Just watching Joe go to the podium for his last press conference as Yankee manager was a little surreal. But there he was, calm and steady as always. The room was packed.

He confirmed that the deal was what it was, and that it was non-negotiable on their side. He alluded that he knew what was on the table, and maybe there would be some wiggle room. He couldn't accept the deal, and their so-called incentives, and he was right for rejecting it. As he said, "I've been here for twelve years, and I didn't think motivation was needed". His voice gave way a couple of times, especially when he spoke of his players and his coaches... and the fans.

However, he admitted that he felt that the deal was "an insult". For Joe to say this to the public... well it's a big deal for him to say. He spoke well of the boss, and he spoke well of Cashman ... well, he said Cashman stuck up for him last year. And that spoke volumes also.

I didn't want him to get off that podium. I wanted him to stay, at least until first season of the new stadium opening. I want him back next year.

If this organization has one working brain cell left, they will go to him and apologize for their short-sightedness (and stupidity) and give him a deal he truly deserves.

Because this is what's going to happen: they'll get another manager... maybe even a good manager. But he won't be experienced enough or ready to deal with the magnitude of this team, it's bone-headed organization and the media hell he will face every single day. And it won't matter what they do or how they play all year...162 games ultimately don't matter to them, or how packed the stadium is without exception. Because all they care about is post-season. So, this is what I predict (and I'm sure I'm not alone in this) ... when this team and it's coaching staff fall apart, they will go to Joe on their knees... their knees I tell you... and they better be wearing really good knee-pads.

A Sad, Sad Night

Joe Torre did not accept the offer that the Yankees put on the table today. It was a crazy moment, because first I hear on Mike and the Mad Dog that he did accept (which is what one newspaper reported), then literally two minutes later, it was disclosed that Joe refused. It was a bad deal... and there's speculation that it was put together that way on purpose... in other words, that Joe was pushed out. The deal was $5 Million for one year (a 331/2 percent pay cut), and "incentives": $1 Million if he made the playoffs, another mil if he got the ACLS championship, and then another million if he got to the World Series. At first, it seems like a good deal... but it's not. It's a slap in the face. Why would someone of Joe Torre's legacy and caliber need to be enticed with incentive money... as to say that he's not doing 110 percent to win all along? It's ludricrous.

My first reaction when I heard the news, besides disbelief, was anger... and I couldn't pinpoint it to who. To the Yankees, to that buffoon Steinbrenner, Cashman, Joe himself... I was devastated. Like many fans are tonight, of course.

There is a tiny little shred of hope (maybe it's denial) that maybe they will put together a better deal for Joe, and lure him back. And a very big and public apology. And a promise that Steinbrenner will not open his big fat mouth again. Which is a physical impossibility.

Thing is, maybe Joe is really done with this stupid management. Maybe he's tired of placating this jerk. I know he loves this team, and he loves to manage it. But really, at what price.

Today is National Boss's Day

Being that at the moment I am sans travaille' (without a job)... National Boss's Day does not have the same meaningful impact as it would otherwise. A

A fun website for bad bosses is http://www.workingamerica.org/badboss/

However, many of you do have bosses that you want to celebrate (or eulogize) in some way. Here are some good bosses, in my opinion:

• Lou Grant, the Mary Tyler Moore Show
• Mr. Peterman, Elaine's boss on Seinfeld
• George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life
• Joe Torre
• Oprah
• Flower on Meerkat Manor

Of course, bad bosses outnumber by the dozens... my favorites:

• George W. Bush (at the head of the list)
• Tony Soprano
• Mr. Burns
• George Steinbrenner
• George Steinbrenner
• George Steinbrenner

Please feel free to post your favorite... either way.

Joe Deserves More

Last night was tough. The Yankees were eliminated and all the optimism and momentum that was gained by the previous night's win seemed like a beautiful dream... the kind of dream that you think is real... you're sure it is. And you close your eyes and hope that you can go back to the dream because it feels so nice.

Instead here we are again. We just got to the first round. Yet I feel a lot of good was seen and done in this year, and yes ... even in this post-season. We got to see a broken and slumping team come back from an almost impossible trail behind the Red Sox. We got to see great men battling it out through 162 games, through injuries, through the inane gossip, through the relentless media scrutiny. And now there is a team being formed, finally cohesive... bonded with each other and forming a brotherhood that we have not seens since the late 90's in the age of Brocius, Martinez and Williams, Pettite and Jeter. This is not the time, Mr. Steinbrenner, to bail out.

Through all this, Joe Torre has been unflappble. Aways. Through the past 12 years, he has been the epitomy of class and cool. He has brought this team to the post season every single year since he's been manager. Every single year. To bring this team to the 2007 post-season has been nothing short of a miracle. He is has been this teams father-figure, and this team's heart.

George Steinbrenner should finally grow up in his old age. Doubt that he will. I am hoping for a miracle, though. Just like the miracle that has been the past 12 years.