Torre's last game?

If this ship is going down, it's everybody's fault. It goes without saying that Steinbrenner shares the blame (though I don't really see how it's all Kenny Lofton's fault, or how Sheffield can be considered a bad signing), and Cashman deserves to be on the hot seat. Naturally.

While the typical storyline seems to focus on Crazy George Deathwatch and his horse at the Kentucky Derby, at least Ken Davidoff remembers that Steinbrenner might actually have a good reason to fire Cashman:

"Cashman is far from blameless, though. The Brown and Jeff Weaver trades were his babies, and he, like so many other baseball executives, fell in love with Javier Vazquez's stuff and youth while ignoring Curt Schilling's numbers and heart two offseasons ago. And the only Yankees official who can point to Giambi and say, 'Wasn't my idea' is Joe Torre, who was vocal about his desire to bring back Martinez for 2002."

I'm not really sure how the writers divvy up the percentage of a signing that was George's idea and the percentage that was Cashman's idea. Most of the time, if the player stinks or is surly, it must have been George's idea. While Davidoff may subscribe to that same theory, at least Davidoff spreads the blame around. It's not all George of the Bungle's fault.

Out of 25 players, about 7 have played up to expectations in 2005. The players deserve the bulk of the blame. But it's not the fantasy world and you can't just replace all the players.


My question is: If the Yankees lose tonight, thereby falling into last place and losing three out of four to Tampa Bay, shouldn't Joe Torre also be on the hot seat?

Dan Wetzel anticipates:

"Steinbrenner, who watched the carnage in person Wednesday, will start issuing pink slips soon enough. Brian Cashman may want to update his resume. Joe Torre, new contract or not, may not be far behind."

I don't quite understand the incessant storyline that Steinbrenner is impulsive and impatient.

Why wouldn't Torre get fired? How much slack is Torre cut for winning four rings in New York? Infinite slack?

This team is not only playing poorly, they're flat. Is fiery Art Howe available? This team needs a spark.