THE DEMISE OF JOE TORRE

Long before Joe Torre's refusal to accept his one year contract, the formation of a not so "comfy" relationship with the Yankees was brewing. In Torre's own words, all was not well with he and Yankee president, Randy Levine.

WFAN’s Mike Francesa and Chris Russo pointed their fingers squarely at team president Randy Levine as the man who orchestrated the Steinbrenner statement. Francesa, an unapologetic Yankee fan, was particularly virulent, painting Levine as an interloper from the business side of the organization who is attempting to thrust himself into the power vacuum in the Yankees’ front office. It was Levine who announced the offer and Torre’s decision in the conference call yesterday, and it is believed that it was Levine who led the movement to get rid of Torre. Francesa called for Levine to be fired, saying that Levine, who joined the team in 2000 after Torre had already won three World Series and was on his way to a fourth, is exploiting his role in the plans for the new stadium to insert himself into the baseball side of the organization despite a lack of knowledge about the game.

IT WAS RANDY LEVINE WHO SAID THE FOLLOWING:

Under this offer, he would continue to be the highest-paid manager in major league baseball," team President Randy Levine said. "We thought that we need to go to a performance-based model, having nothing to do with Joe Torre's character, integrity or ability. We just think it's important to motivate people."

Where was Levine when Torre was saving Darryl Strawberry's life? Where was Levine when Torre was lecturing inner city youth about proper parenting and the evil of domestic abuse? Where was Levine when Torre baby sat Alex Rodriguex until he was finally able to perform?

Perhaps Randy was busy polishing his relationship with Presidential candidate Rudolph
Giuliani in the hopes that he too might benefit from a Giuliani win. It is always a good thing to impress your mentor.

The Yankee organization has big bills. Their multi million dollar stadium will be paid by box seat holders and the minions that will supposedly flock to the new stadium in 2009. Courtesy of Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión and the other politicians who sold out to Yankee bosses, there are big payoffs to be made. When Torre did not deliver a World Series, the prospect of diminishing revenue was too much to bear.

Thus, the "Levine Machine" and the Steinbrenner clan fueled the demise of Joe. It was never about performance, it was about unbridled greed. In Torre's own words, he stated that he was the victim of success. After having delivered several winning seasons, "The Boss" wanted consistency. That "consistency" does not exist in reality. There is the law of averages which by way of empirical data is difficult to defeat. In other words, "You win some...you lose some."

Levine will replace Torre very quickly. Torre's successor was probably informed of his new job even before Joe ended his farewell press conference. But if Yankee management thinks that the fans and the ball players will react favorably to the new coach, they should consider several factors. Torre was not only a motivator but a father figure. He filled a void to many of those players. Torre himself had issues with his own father and knew intuitively what his flock needed. He understood what it was to lose. He did it with dignity and the knowledge of how to improve.

A new coach will have a difficult adjustment. One only has to look at past examples such as the wrong choices in coaches for the NFL as well as the NBA. The players did not cooperate. And if the players do not like the coach, the fans will not either. So.....Randy Levine and the almighty.

Steinbrenner clan have the last word. But it is the fans that flock to the Bronx, not the wealthy box seat holders who have the final fiscal decision. The instant that the price of hot dogs and tickets are raised is the moment that the average patron will stop coming to the stadium.

The instant the Joe Torre legacy begins to fade is the moment of truth for Yankee fans. Levine et, al will ultimately pay the real price.