Confessions of a She-Fan (29 page)
Read Confessions of a She-Fan Online
Authors: Jane Heller
Joe will be a tough act to follow, no doubt about it. But this is the Yankees, not
Joe Blow's Trucking and Bowling Team, and Yankee fans are the most loyal
fans on this earth. It takes them time to fall in love with the new guys. But
when the new guys do the job, the fans love them, too.
âDM
On Sunday my “reflection” about Joe runs in the
Times
. Several of the other fans who contributed to the page say they are ashamed to be Yankee fans after the way the organization handled his dismissal.
The
Post
has an exclusive interview with Hank Steinbrenner, who calls Joe an ingrate for terming the contract offer an insult.
The
Daily
News
takes a shot at Randy Levine for being the architect of Joe's departure.
It is getting ugly in Yankeeville.
Michael and I watch Red SoxâIndians. Boston wins 11â2.
Girardi did a hell of a job when he played here, and he'd make a great
manager. But you can't compare the Marlins and Yankees because
they're totally different animals. With the Marlins he had 25 guys
who'd never been in the big leagues before. With the Yankees you're
talking about 25 guys who are weathered and battle tested.
âDM
On Monday, Joe Girardi
is the first managerial candidate to be interviewed in Tampa. Mattingly will go tomorrow and Pena on Wednesday.
Peter Abraham's blog has the audio of Girardi's conference call with the beat writers. Joe talks about how much he learned from managing the Marlins and how much he wants the Yankees to win another championship. He sounds very professional and polished, but I am unmoved.
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?
âDM
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.
âDM
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, âShould 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 Yankeesâas 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.
âDM
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 2â1.
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.”
â
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.
âDM
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 10â5 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.
âDM
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.