TAMPA — This is a story that’s been told in this space before, so apologies in advance. I just think it’s so valuable as an annual reminder – especially to myself – of how illusory this time of year can be.
This was 1996, the first year the Yankees held spring training at what is now Steinbrenner Field and the first year under Joe Torre. At the time, Torre was considered one of the great losers in MLB history. He had never made the play-offs as a player in 2,209 games – the sixth most ever. Torre had managed three previous teams with one playoff appearance but no wins, as his Braves were swept by the Cardinals in 1982.
He didn’t exactly arrive with high expectations and immediately had to navigate turning eight potential starters into five: David Cone, Scott Kamieniecki, Jimmy Key, Dwight Gooden, Melido Perez, Andy Pettitte, Kenny Rogers, and a starter without options that the Yanks really liked named Mark Hutton.
Torre insisted that many of the losses in his previous managerial stops had to do with not enough starting pitching so he wouldn’t get too much stomach ache. He also said he would use the time to make a decision. But in March I asked him in his office what he really thought, and he said, “I will never have to make a decision.”
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