Managers don't make any difference.

So why does a team even have a manager in the first place?

"Just ask yourself something first. What would Lou Piniella or any other manager have done differently?"

I don't really think Piniella is the best choice. I'd go straight to Mattingly. But Piniella would certainly do a lot of things differently.


"Scream more?"

Yup, for starters.

This team needed a kick in the butt for so long, that Jason Giambi, of all people, was apparently forced to insist on some tough love.

Lou Piniella would hopefully never, ever refer to David Ortiz as "Big Papi." Ortiz gets dusted his first two at-bats at the Stadium next year. Every time Jeter gets hit by a pitch, the other team's shortstop gets hit twice.


"Hit and run less?"

Funny you should mention that, but it's a good idea. Hit and run less.

From my count, small ball tactics were 0-for-4 in the ALDS and maybe -- it's all speculation, of course -- but maybe, the .340 hitter who was just 5-for-5 doesn't need to bunt in the first inning of game two.

Would Piniella hit and run less? Maybe not.

Let's get a manager who will.


"Use the hook on one pitcher a little earlier or another a little later?"

Is Litke joking?

This is a rather insouciant dismissal of the most important decision a manager can make.

Piniella is a bad counter-example because he shreds through bullpen arms almost as quickly as Torre does.

But the Yankees lost the entire ALDS, quite possibly, when Torre let Mussina pitch to Granderson. Or maybe when Torre sent Wang to New York for a non-existent Game Five.

"A little earlier or a littler later" is kind of the "little" difference between "winning" and "losing."


"But whatever team you turn over to whomever has the manager's job next season, keep in mind that the Big Apple is no place for the meek. Torre has shown more patience than the job merited, sought less credit than he deserved, won as often as he should have and never once complained."

Joe Torre never once complained? Go read the SI article.

Joe Torre sought less credit than he deserved? Joe Torre has been focusing on his post-career speaking tour for years. He won't argue a call at third base because he's got a lot of promotional money wrapped up in the whole Classy image.

If the Big Apple is no place for the meek, then it's no place for Joe Torre.

It was a great and successful run. But this has been coming for a long time.


Don't weep for Joe Torre.

Weep for the ad managers for Bigelow Tea and Subway sandwiches.