The Mighty (THUD!) Yankees

The curse of the Bambino has returned. Only, this time, the New York Yankees- the very same team that George Herman 'Babe' Ruth played with over 80 years ago- are the recipients.

Once a powerhouse team, the Yankees are now a national joke. What with them falling apart in Game 2 of the Ameriocan League Divisional Series- at home, nonetheless in the 'House That Babe Built' against the lowly Detroit Tigers. Now, it's the scrappy Tigers that are facing off against a tough Oakland Atheletics for the American League Championship.

Having said this, the talk has become very heavy on the future of Yankees manager Joe Torre. His head is in the guillotimne right now, just waiting for the blade that is George Steinbrenner to fall down (just pray for a clean cut, Joey). And if that's not enough, A-Rod- Alex Rodiguez- may not be donning the pinstripes for too much longer.

This morning, as I wrote my opening journal entry, I looked at three possible scenarios that could happen to Joe Torre. Let me run them by you. (I welcome your comments as well).

1. The Yankees Fire Torre. The likely scenario. Three years without a World Series ring, plus team chemistry gone to shit. Sure, Torre's an A-list manager who's sure to grace the next team who hires him. But his welcome mat in the Yankees organization is beyond worn. What will probably happen is Torre will take a year or two off from baseball, then return to the game as manager of another team. Like say, the Atlanta Braves or even the Chicago Cubs (not speculation or even a guess. I'm just using those teams as a example).

2. Torre Resigns. Face it, working for George Steinbrenner can be a major bitch! All of the pressure to maintain a 100-plus year old tradition in the House of the Babe, and going for their 27th world pennant, it can drive even the strongest man to tears.
And then to watch your heavily favored (to win that 27th World Series ring) team gets blitzkrieged by an underdog team like the Tigers, I doubt seriously that you want to face the volcano that is Mt. Steinbrenner (or if you prefer, a Category 5 hurricane named George). So the Yanks will give Torre the option to close the lights. Throw in the towel. Place his resignation on the desk of King George and make it appear like he's leaving the organization on good terms, and that he and Steinbrenner are chummy with each other.

3. The Yankees Keep Torre- At Least For Another Season. This is a hard decision that Steinbrenner faces. Torre has given him four World Series titles in the eleven years Torre has managed the Bronx Bombers. Torre is an A-list manager- just about every other Major League club would love him on their roster. So, despite the sometimes acrimonious relationship, Steinbrenner still sees Torre as an asset. If Torre does get a reprieve in the Yankees organization, he could get an upper level managerial position, like, say, General Manager or Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations. He could even manage one of the farm teams, say, the Columbus (Ohio) Clippers of the (AAA) International League for a season or two, then return to New York for another try with the Yankees.

But how likely is the latter two scenarios? (I'll give you a moment to think about it...)

Can't see Torre staying with the Yanks much longer? Neither can I.