by Jane Heller
I think Donnie’s ready to manage. But he’s probably the most well renowned Yankee in history. He’s definitely the most respected. If he comes back to manage the team and we have a bad season, does that tarnish his image?
—DM
Tuesday is Mattingly’s turn to meet with the Yankees in Tampa. Afterward, he has his conference call with the beat writers. He sounds very sincere about wanting to win a championship, but he is not as articulate as Girardi. I miss Joe Torre.
I don’t think Pena has a prayer in hell. I know what Tony did with Kansas City, which was arguably the biggest miracle outside of Noah’s Ark. But I think it’s Major League Baseball telling the Yankees they have to interview minorities.
—DM
On Wednesday I am feeling overwhelmed and conflicted by the “Who Wants to Be a Manager” reality show. Which of the three candidates is the best one to replace Joe Torre? Can any of them replace Joe? What will happen to my Yankees?
I call John Sterling to see how he is feeling about it all. As usual, he is cheerful and upbeat.
“Were you surprised the way things turned out with Joe?” I ask.
“I always held out hope that he would be rehired,” John says.
“Have you talked to him?”
“Oh, sure. We’ve been friends for 25 years. We’ll always be friends.”
“Do you think the interviews with Girardi and Pena were just a formality and they’ll give Mattingly the job?”
“You could put Larry Bowa in there. They’d all be excellent managers. But if I were the Yankees, the wrong reason to hire Mattingly would be because he’s so popular. He’s the most popular athlete I have ever seen in New York.”
“Come on.”
“You’re thinking about Willis Reed or Joe Namath?”
“How about Mickey Mantle?”
“Mickey Mantle got booed. Mattingly never got booed. Never. And he gets the most applause at Old-Timers’ Day.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“It’s something people see in him. And if they knew him, they would really applaud. He is much tougher and much baseball-brighter than people would ever think. He could give you the scouting report on every hitter and pitcher in the American League. And the players adore and respect him. He is absolutely the right choice for the Yankees in every way, shape, or form. It doesn’t mean Pena or Girardi or Bowa would not be good managers. But there’s only one Don Mattingly.”
“What do you think will happen with A-Rod?”
“Scott Boras might be as full of crap as any human being in history. I have no idea how much the Yankees are going to offer for how many years. It’s Monopoly money, Jane. If Alex doesn’t want to be the Yankees’ star at $30 million a year for 7 years, then let him go somewhere else. I really like Alex. He’s a nice guy. But I support the Yankees 100 percent if what Boras wants is a landmark thing for Boras.”
“What about Posada?”
“I think he and Mariano and Pettitte will come back. But don’t forget: I’m a very optimistic human being.”
“What do you make of the Steinbrenner sons?”
“Hank and Hal have very bright minds. And they have something else going for them: the brand name. How could they miss? Someone asked me the other night, ‘Should the Yankees start all over?’ Start all over? Are you kidding me? With the influx of Hughes and Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy? This might be the beginning of a great period in Yankee history.”
Later, I listen to audio of Pena’s conference call with the beat writers. Tony seems like a terrific guy, and I hope he stays with the Yankees—as a coach. I was leaning toward Girardi as the new manager, but after talking to John, I am rooting for Mattingly. Or not. I am still not sure.
The Red Sox destroy the Rockies in game one of the World Series.
The Yankees need to keep Larry Bowa. He was the backbone of our infield and of our young guys. He used to bury me on a nightly basis when he was on Baseball Tonight and I played for the Mets. But once I started playing for him, he backed me more than anybody else.
—DM
On Thursday Hank Steinbrenner, who is quickly emerging as the Yankees spokesman, tells the media he is impressed with all three candidates but will let Cashman and the “baseball operations people” make their recommendation before moving forward.
Does this mean they are barred from making their selection public because of the World Series? And will this whole process drag on, the way the discussion over Joe Torre’s contract dragged on?
There is speculation that Grady Little is getting canned by the Dodgers and that Girardi is their first choice to replace him. More intrigue.
There is no intrigue whatsoever in game two of the World Series. Boston beats the Rockies 2–1.
The Yankees have so much more to worry about than if they’re bringing me back. back. Like this morning, Alex said, “So have they called you?” I said, “Al. Seriously. I am piece number 179 in this equation.”
—DM
There is still no word on Friday about the new Yankees manager, even though this is a World Series off day.
The only Yankees news is that they plan to pick up the option on Abreu and to give Shelley more playing time, possibly at first base.
First base? Does this mean they are not bringing back Mientkiewicz?
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Alex doesn’t need the money. But what’s surprising is that he doesn’t live that lavishly, he really doesn’t. He’s very, very conservative.
—DM
On Saturday George King’s article in today’s Post predicts that Girardi will be the Yankees’ new manager. He says Girardi was Cashman’s early pick and that Hank wants a “strong leader, not a father figure.”
Later, there are reports that terms for a contract extension for A-Rod are being discussed in Tampa and that the figure being thrown around is about $30 million a year.
Michael and I watch the Red Sox beat the Rockies 10–5 in game three. Shitty baseball is better than no baseball.
The Yankees say they won’t negotiate with Alex if he opts out, but what else are they gonna say? “We’ll give you every penny you want?” That’s the game you play. Come December, when he hasn’t signed yet and they’re looking around at what they have? Show me your bluff then.
—DM
George King’s story in Sunday’s Post claims that the Yankees are not prepared to offer A-Rod the $30 million a year Boras is seeking. He says their offer will be in the $27 million range. It is clear they want him to stay, but not if he opts out, because they will lose the subsidy they got from the Rangers. The Steinbrenner brothers want A-Rod to come in and talk to them, face-to-face, before the actual negotiations with Boras get under way. They have left phone messages for him, and he has not returned their calls.
Tonight Michael and I watch game four of the World Series. I am sick of those happy-go-lucky, feel-good Red Sox—especially when they jump out to an early lead over the pathetic Rockies. I am about to turn off the TV when Ken Rosenthal, a Fox reporter, breaks in with a bulletin: A-Rod is opting out of his contract with the Yankees.
I look at Michael.“What the hell is this?”
He is equally shocked. “I guess he doesn’t want to be a Yankee anymore.”
“We’re not good enough for him?”
“He and Boras are giving baseball the finger by making the announcement in the middle of the World Series.”
We turn up the volume on the TV. In a statement, Boras referred to Hank Steinbrenner’s use of the word transition to describe the Yankees and said Alex was concerned about where the franchise is headed.
“Then why didn’t he go sit across the table from Hank and Hal and ask them?” I am standing now and yelling at the TV. How dare A-Rod leave us—and at the very moment when our archrivals are winning their second championship in 4 years!
“He made himself bigger than the World Series, bigger than Major League Baseball,” says Michael. “His reputation will tak
e a huge hit.”
I am not paying much attention as the Red Sox finish off the Rockies 4–3. I could care less. I rush to the computer to read everything I can about the A-Rod opt-out. Boras says he tried to reach Cashman by phone to inform him of A-Rod’s decision but was unsuccessful, so he left a voice-mail message as well as an e-mail and a fax. How lame is that? There was plenty of time to wait for a callback before crashing baseball’s biggest night of the year and letting the Yankees hear the news along with everyone else. The nerve of these two!
I stagger out of my office and go watch Desperate Housewives. Housewives. I am feeling pretty desperate myself. Never mind A-Rod’s PR gaffe. Never mind that he blew off the Yankees and their fans. Who can we get to replace him at third base next year—someone who will hit over 50 home runs and more than 150 RBIs? Where will the run production come from? Will we sign Mike Lowell? Will A-Rod become a Red Sock?
Week 31 October 30, 2007
Maybe the franchise is in a little bit of disarray right now, but I told Al, “You can leave. Jorge can leave. Mo can leave. And they could give the manager’s job to the guy on the subway. But they’re still gonna draw 4½ million people. It’s the Yankees, man.”
—DM
On Monday Hank Steinbrenner tells the media he is incensed that A-Rod announced to a national television audience that he doesn’t want to be a Yankee anymore. He reiterates that both he and his brother invited A-Rod to come to Tampa and meet with them and that Alex never had the courtesy to reply. He stands firm that he will not negotiate with him now that he has opted out.
Lost in all the A-Rod chatter is the big news that the Yankees made a formal offer to Girardi to replace Torre. Once they agree on terms, they will make it official.
And here is another bulletin: The Post is reporting that Torre will be the next Dodgers manager. Will Jorge and Mo move west, too? And what about A-Rod? This is all so unsettling.
I go for a beach walk. When I get home,there is more Yankee news. Boras has apologized—to the Red Sox, the Rockies, the fans, baseball—for the timing of his announcement. announcement. He says the whole thing was his fault, not his client’s,and that he wishes he had handled things better. Ya think?
Later, I check Peter Abraham’s blog. He not only confirms that Torre is the Dodgers’ new manager but that Mattingly is about to join him as a coach.
I hurry into the living room to tell Michael, but he already knows. He is watching Keith Olbermann’s show. At that very moment, Keith is saying, “These are great times for people who hate the Yankees.”
The naïve sports fan will look at it like, “Oh, that’s Alex being greedy.” But he sets the bar for the other players in the big leagues, and it only takes one team to say, “Let’s do it.” Back in the day when the owners were bitching about salary caps, the two teams that bitched the most were the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies. That summer one team spent $252 million on one guy, and the other team spent $290 million on two guys. That’s talking out of both sides of your you-know-what.
—DM
On Tuesday it is official: Girardi has accepted the Yankees’ offer and is the team’s new manager.
But today’s media coverage is all about A-Rod. There are rumors that Boras has a nine-figure deal in place for his client. There is a story that the Mets are A-Rod’s possible next stop. And there is reaction to his defection from Johnny Damon, who says he is sad his teammate is leaving and wonders where the runs he produced will come from.
Good question, Johnny.
My anxiety over all this is not helped by the e-mails I am getting from friends here in California. “Are you going to become a Dodger fan now?” they ask.
I would never give my heart to the Dodgers just because Torre and Mattingly will be sitting in the dugout at Chavez Ravine. My love for the Yankees trumps my affection for anyone person. person. If I learned anything over these last few months, it is that.
Mark Feinsand is reporting on his Daily News blog that Mo is at Legends Field right now meeting with Cashman, Levine, and the two Little Steins. Mark says the Yankees will offer him a 3-year deal worth $40 million but that he may want to test the market and see what else is out there. Another cliffhanger. And why is there no news about JoPo and his deal? Have they not made him an offer? And how about Pettitte? Is he coming back or retiring?
Peter Abraham’s blog has audio of Cashman’s conference call with the beat writers about A-Rod’s opting out. Cashman says he regrets not having been given the opportunity to meet face-to-face with Alex and talk to him about the team’s future but wishes him and C-Rod well.
As Michael and I drive to dinner with friends, I say, “It’s sort of odd that Cashman was so laid back about the A-Rod thing.”
“Maybe he’s a laid-back guy.”
“Come on. He always looks like he’s on the verge of a nervous collapse.”
“What’s your point?”
“He might be leaving the door open for A-Rod to reconsider.”
“Hank made it clear. If A-Rod doesn’t want to be a Yankee, the Yankees don’t want him.”
“This is the Yankees we’re talking about. Anything can happen.”
I think the stuff that happened with Joe will weigh heavily on Pettitte’s decision to come back. But the fact that he was pain free this year could make him want to play. Personally, I think Ian Kennedy is the wild card. He’s more polished than both Hughes and Chamberlain.
—DM
On Wednesday the Yankees announce their coaching staff for 2008. But I want to know what they are planning to do about actual players.
Mo says he wants to remain a Yankee, but there must be an aspect of the deal he doesn’t like, or he would have taken it by now.
Pettitte tells a Houston TV station that he won’t make the decision about whether or not to retire until November 7.
JoPo is saying nothing.
What’s the best thing about being a Yankee? It’s hard to put into words. It’s everything built into one: the fans, the stadium, the pride. You become a better player just by putting that jersey on.
—DM
Jason Zillo has scheduled a 1 o’clock press conference at Yankee Stadium to officially introduce Joe Girardi to the media. The event feels anticlimactic, since Girardi has done two conference calls with the writers, and everybody already knows he won the job. Moreover, the Dodgers choose today to announce the hiring of Joe Torre as their manager.
I approach the press conference with a blasé attitude and focus on other Yankee matters in the meantime. Mark Feinsand comments on how “sluggish” the organization seems in their effort to keep Posada. The same goes for Mo. What if they both sign with other teams? And how about Bobby Abreu? I thought they were picking up his option, which lapses tomorrow.
Mark also says the Yankees are talking to the White Sox about Joe Crede to fill the vacancy at third base. I do not want Joe Crede playing third base for the Yankees. He may be a stellar human being, but I want A-Rod back. There. I said it. I want those homers and those RBIs. I want that hustle on the base paths. I want that gun-of-an-arm. I even want the odd, needy personality and those overly glossedlips. Besides, he would be too cold in Chicago and too hot in Anaheim, and no one would pay any attention to him in LA because the paparazzi are too busy with Britney Spears. He belongs in New York. Maybe he is the most disingenuous man alive—a “big phony jerk” is what Michael calls him—but I want him on our team, not somebody else’s. Love is funny. He has thrown my Yankees into the very disarray I was so worried about, and yet I am not ready to let him go.
But Cashman tells the media today that A-Rod is out of the picture. He uses the word unequivocally. He says the Yankees made many attempts to reach Alex but did not get a response. When he mentions the possibility of moving Cano to third, I feel the muscles in my neck tense.
He goes on to say that Jeter will not have surgery on his bad knee but Matsui will have surgery on his; that Shelley, Giambi, and Betemit will share time at first base
(I will miss you, Doug); and that Joba will be in the starting rotation unless Mo leaves.
Unless Mo leaves?
I am now feeling queasy and tense. The Dodgers are practically throwing a parade for Torre on the other side of the country, and Cashman is talking about what remains of my team. What will we do without our old, dependable manager and our old, dependable players?
Someone needs to restore order. George is no longer the Boss, and his sons are only Bosses-in-Training. And judging by his almost daily trips to Tampa, Cashman’s power has been eclipsed by the reemergence of the Florida Faction. So who, exactly, will right the ship?
It is nearly 10:00 p.m. by the time I get around to watching the video of Girardi’s press conference on the YES Web site. He may be a smart man who had success managing the Marlins, and he is probably a whiz when it comes to stats and matchups and percentages. But he seems to lack gravitas. He has not been around long enough to have the wisdom to handle dramas in the clubhouse. He has not convinced me that he is the right man to lead both the veterans and the young players. He not only needs to restore order but also restore the image of the Yankees.
I lean closer to the computer screen and hit play on the video. Brian Cash-man introduces the Girardis and hands Mrs. Girardi a dozen long-stemmed red roses. A blizzard of flashbulbs go off, and Mr. and Mrs. Girardi do their best to stand there and smile while getting blinded by the lights. I see Jason Zillo hovering in the background. I have never met him, of course, but he must be the guy who is directing traffic. I recognize his voice from all those conference calls. He is wearing a dark suit, is not very tall, and looks comfortable telling people what to do. He is good at being the gatekeeper. I am proof of that.