Because Dan Graziano knows from irrational.

"This is something you're not supposed to say about Joe Torre in October. Something that shouldn't even be possible for a guy who's managed 113 playoff games and who, each morning, can open his top drawer and choose from four World Series rings.

But here it is:

Joe Torre is being outmanaged."

Duh. Ya think?

But why aren't you "supposed to say" this?

Just say it. You see it happening in front of you. Speaking the truth makes you feel better, doesn't it? Was that really so hard, Dan Graziano?


"If the Yankees lose to the Angels tonight, and their season ends -- for the fifth year in a row -- without a World Series title, people are going to look at Torre. The fans, who have become increasingly eager in recent years to call talk radio shows and rip Torre's decisions, will be taking a look. The team's irrational owner, whose hatred of his manager is only exacerbated by the $13.1 million he still owes him over the next two seasons, will be taking a look."

Torre has managed the Yankees for ten years. Steinbrenner signed Torre to a multi-year contract and has paid him tens of millions of dollars. This is the fifth year in a row where the Yankees won't win the World Series (insert appropriate disclaimer here).

But Graziano wants us to believe that Steinbrenner has a seething hatred of Joe Torre.

I wish my boss hated me that much.


"But is it right? Does it make any sense? Is there any other town in which a manager who won the World Series in four of his first five years would ever have to sweat his job again as long as he lived? Is there any other owner in sports under whom it could happen?"

I would hope so. That's just rational.


"Torre actually has done his best managing job in years -- patiently steering a leaky Yankee roster through a stormy season, winning the division for the eighth year in a row after all looked lost."

All of the Yankee problems this season were self-imposed and largely due to lackluster play and awful roster decisions.

The injuries to Brown, Pavano, and Wright were nothing more than blessings in disguise. The trials and tribulations the Yankees faced this season that were no different than any other team or any other season. Heck, this is one of the few seasons where nobody got cancer and nobody stole Derek Jeter's stuff from the clubhouse.

Even if the Yankees lose in the first round, Torre has largely redeemed himself by making the playoffs. But this team tanked the first half of the season and Torre let it happen.


"Four, possibly five seasons without a title certainly haven't helped Steinbrenner's opinion of Torre. Neither has watching Jack McKeon, Terry Francona and Mike Scioscia outmaneuver him in the last three postseasons."

According to Graziano, Torre is being outmanaged this year in the playoffs. Further, Torre was "outmaneuvered" by McKeon, Francona, and Scioscia in the last three postseasons.

No argument from me.

So, if that's the case, then explain to me why it's "irrational" to suggest that he should be fired.