From the LA Times:
Torre said his conversation with Pierre was similar to one he had with Bernie Williams as manager of the New York Yankees.
“I just basically said to him what I said to Bernie Williams when we signed Kenny Lofton: ‘We’re going to do what’s best for the team and when we leave spring training, it’s going to be with the three guys playing the outfield that we all agree will give us the best shot,’ ” Torre said.
Interesting. Anymore?
“The youth off the bench is always a question mark because you don’t know how they handle not playing and playing after not playing,” Torre said, citing the example of the problems the Yankees had with Andy Phillips.
A few months ago, when the blog was just starting out, I wrote about Joe Torre and his newfound situation in LA, particularly his media attention and uncanny (and seemingly inherent) ability to “become the story.” I wondered how the dynamic between the media in LA, and the Dodgers’ organization would ultimately react to having this NY baseball icon, thrust upon an entirely new and different situation.
Now we’re seeing Joe’s reaction, as a famous NY Yankees manager, in a new environment, speaking with new people about new players. In order to articulate his intentions with certain players on the Dodgers, Joe referred to former incidents with the Yankees, mentioning Bernie Williams and even Andy Phillips. Both of these players, even Andy Phillips, are pretty well known simply because they wore pinstripes and I guess it makes sense for Torre to compare his current issues with the past.
However, again, you have to wonder what’s going to happen here. Will Torre continuously refer to old Yankee memories, moments and situations in order to explain what his feelings, thoughts and goals are? Here, he can get into a rather dangerous game. I for one, think that he should separate himself from that Yankee moniker, as much as possible, although it could be rather difficult. He’s not the manger of the NY Yankees anymore, he’s the manager of the LA Dodgers. His comparisons will ultimately fuel the ever burning fire of expectations, because that too is a comparison that will be made by fans and the media, simultaneously.
What if the Dodgers falter out of the gate?
Expect questions like, “You were the manager of the Yankees, the most successful franchise around… why aren’t you winning now? Where’s that magic that you had and that spark that you brought to a team’s clubhouse” One could definitely expect this comparison to be made by the media, especially with Joe constantly situating himself into the past. And, if this occurs, Joe could always say “well, with the Yankees, the past few years we’ve stumbled at the start of the season and finished up strong.”
This is true and a likely response that will eventually occur, I’m sure. But, these are two very different organizations and ballclubs. By mentioning the Yankees in this manner, Torre’s opening himself up to a whole new set of critical eyes. Remember, you’re not on the Yankees anymore Joe and maybe you should let that connection rest.
On a 9 game losing streak, you won’t be able to turn to Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez or Johnny Damon to claw their way out of the cellar. You’ll look to SS and see Rafael Furcal (who struggled last year), you’ll turn to CF and see Andruw Jones (who refuses to alter his swing even when he hits .222), you’ll glance over at third and see the now fragile/declining Nomar Garciaparra and the youngster Andy LaRoche. Even behind the dish, you’ll see an emerging, yet very young star in Russell Martin. A host of other young players (e.g. Andre Ethier, etc.) are trying to play their way onto the field, so experience won’t be the tool that is constantly evoked in the clubhouse toolbox.
This is totally different, and maybe he should treat it as such and temper the lofty expectations he has surrounded himself with, simply because of who he is.
For now, his comparisons are good enough for the LA media. They want the NY manger who led a juggernaut of a team to AL glory, year after year after year. But, as the season rolls along and if the Dodgers aren’t doing so well, the media will make their own comparisons like the one above. Joe should handle it well, but his constant connections to the past can ultimately hurt his chances for success and limit his role as a manger.
