Will he or won't he?
Taking Names and Keeping Score
Charlie Anderson
The New York Yankees' bid for a World Series Championship in 2007ended this past Monday night when they dropped a 6 - 4 decision to the Cleveland Indians losing out in the American League Division Series three games to one. It was yet another disappointment for this storied and proud franchise which over the course of history has been in and won more world championships than any team in Major League Baseball. The disappointment was only heightened by the fact that the Yankees have not made a single appearance in the fall classic in the past seven years despite being in post season play in each of those years.

As I watched the final three innings of the game, which was being played at Yankee Stadium, there were some things that became obvious to me. First, like them or not, the New York Yankees have to have some of the best, if not the best, fans in all of baseball. In Monday's game the noise level of the fans offering their support to their beloved Yankees was so loud and continuous that it made one wonder if the 50,000 plus people crowded into the stadium ever took a breath. Having been in Yankee stadium twice myself for regular season games against Detroit and Boston, I can attest that such support isn't reserved for the post season but is pretty much standard.

Second, when you play for the Yankees you are automatically thrust into the biggest spot light in sports whether you want to be or not. And with all that attention comes an awful lot of pressure, some real and some perceived, to perform at a level worthy of such focus and acclaim.

Third, when a player puts on that pin stripe uniform he must realize it is only borrowed and not his to keep forever. After all Major League Baseball in this day and time is nothing more or less than a business and a big business at that. It is one whose revenues and expenses run in the multi-millions if not billions and whose bottom line is contingent on the product that is put on the field. As such, like any corporation or big business, the New York Yankees organization considers its employees, players, coaches, etc. as a means to an end. In essence each employee is significant only in what they can offer towards the ultimate success of the team and that not only includes wins and losses but tickets sold at the gate as well.

Because that is the case an individual's worth to the organization unfortunately is measured in terms of what have you done for me lately rather than on what you have meant to the organization over the long haul. A case in point is that of the Yankee's manager Joe Torre who has been at the helm of the Yankees for the past 12 seasons during which time he was twice named the American League Manager of the year and the Yankees have been in the World Series four times and in post season play every year. Unfortunately the championship appearances occurred in four of Torre's first five seasons with the Yankees experiencing a seven year drought since then.

Those facts alone have had the media and baseball fans alike speculating for some time on whether the 67 year old Torre will be back with the Yankees next season. The speculation took on a whole new light this past Sunday when Yankee owner George Steinbrenner released a statement that in essence said Torre would not be retained if the Yankees didn't advance past the American League Division Series. Well we all know now that didn't happen so what are the odds that Steinbrenner will have a change of heart and bring Torre back?

My best guess is slim to none but stranger things have happened. Torre who was born on July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn has always been a favorite among Yankee fans and is really loved by the majority his players. Even Monday night with the stands full of Yankee fans holding out hope that their heroes would still pull the game out in the last inning the chant "Joe Torre" was emanating so loudly throughout the stands that you could understand it on the television broadcast.

There were even signs using the TBS channel call letters as an acronym declaring 'Torre Better Stay'. Some of the commentators on the TBS broadcast as well as some on ESPN were also questioning whether the make up of the Yankee team might not change significantly as well if Torre is not brought back. Some of the marquee players who have an immense loyalty to Torre and who are in a free agency year or have contracts with opt out clauses include Roger Clemmons, Andy Petttite, Mariana Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Alex Rodriguez.

In the final analysis it all comes down to the decision the boss, George Steinbrenner, makes. But I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of Yankee uniforms are being fitted for someone new when spring training roles around.

Until next time……..be safe!

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