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Players Signed Because of TorreJoe's Steadying Influence Made Players Want to Come to New YorkFrom the early 1980s until the mid-1990s, players didn't want to play for George Steinbrenner. Joe Torre turned that completely around.
"Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him? Let's not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity and the great team he was handed." Statement made by George Steinbrenner’s son Hank. The Yankees Had No Problem Signing Free AgentsWhen free agency started, no one was better at the game than George Steinbrenner. From Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Don Gullett, and Rich Gossage to Luis Tiant, Tommy John, Rudy May, Bob Watson, and Dave Winfield, the Yankees had a corner on the market. It wasn’t only the money, although it cannot be argued that money didn’t matter. No, it was the money and playing for the Yankees. But by the early 1980s, things started to change. John Denny Signed With the Indians for Less MoneyJohn Denny was good pitcher with Cleveland who became a free agent after the 1982 season. The Yankees tried to sign him but Denny turned them down, explaining that “I didn’t want to subject myself at this time to the environment of the New York Yankees, particularly George Steinbrenner. I didn’t want to subject myself to how he runs the ball club.” Denny re-signed with the Indians for less money. The Yankees Pursue Greg MadduxTen years later, the Yankees offered Greg Maddux a lucrative contract of $34 million for five years. General manager Gene Michael said he believe that it was the most substantial deal offered to Maddux and added that if he turned it down, it would be because he didn’t want to play in New York. Michael didn’t clarify if that meant Maddux didn’t want to play IN New York or FOR New York. A few days later, Maddux and agent Scott Boras announced that the right hander had signed with the Braves for $28 million over five years. Gene Michael told reporters that “This one hurts. I never thought that I could say this. But at $28 million, he’s a steal. He’s a steal.” Joe Torre Changed ThingsFor over a decade, players did not want to sign with the Yankees. Then things changed. After returning from his lifetime suspension from baseball, George Steinbrenner gave baseball professionals a greater role in running the team, and then Joe Torre became manager. Torre provided a buffer between the team and the volatile front office, part of which was located in New York and part of which was located in Tampa. Torre gained the respect of the players – from youngsters Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada to veterans David Cone, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, and Joe Girardi. Torre Provided the Right BalanceJoe Torre provided the right balance for those teams, which had players developed through the farm system, players obtained in solid trades, and free agents who wanted to play for the Yankees. Buck Showalter, Torre’s predecessor who was not retained, Gene Michael, and Joe Torre turned things around. Players wanted to come to New York. A Double Edged SwordBut then the Yankees lost the 2001 World Series. Steinbrenner’s immediate response, the night they lost, was to get Jason Giambi. The irony would become obvious to even the most casual fan. Players wanted to come to New York for the chance to win, but they also wanted to be overpaid. Let’s not forget that Joe Torre helped create the atmosphere that made players want to come to New York. Let’s also not forget that George Steinbrenner poisoned that atmosphere. References:Chass, Murray. "Yankees Are Often a Pawn in Free Agents' Game." New York Times. 29 November 1992, p.S8.
The copyright of the article Players Signed Because of Torre in Major League Baseball is owned by Harold Friend. Permission to republish Players Signed Because of Torre in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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