Westbrook vs. Matsuzaka. When these two met last week 'Zaka allowed four runs, Westbrook just two, and Cleveland won. Will there be Indians in the World Series, or will it be a Rox and Sox matchup? We'll find out (I will, at least) in a few hours.
The Yankees must make October headlines, even when they're out of World Series contention. I didn't really think that they'd fire Joe Torre, but Joey pulled the ol' switch-a-roo. Did anybody consider the fact that maybe he didn't want to come back? And now that he's made that much known, can anybody blame him? Bickering players, manic corporate management, finnicky media... I'm surprised Torre's lasted this long.
But the Yankees refusal to negotiate on a one-year contract seems to indicate that they didn't really want him back after all. The organization is going through changes (new ownership, new ventures, new stadium), and a new skipper may have been part of the plan. The fans love Torre, and an outright firing wouldn't sit well (which was George Steinbrenner's plan/knee-jerk reaction, and an offered contract is demonstrated proof that he's not really in charge any more). Scheme: Make Joe look like a bad guy for wanting to leave Yankee Nation... offer a crappy contract, DON'T BUDGE ON IT, and naturally he won't take. Intentions are all speculation, but subterfuge doesn't appear to be beyond those who treat their baseball teams like empires.
As far as replacements go, I think I'd like to see Mattingly at the helm. I'm worried about how he'd do, though, seeing as how he's got no management experience at all. But I suppose he's been in the dugout long enough to know what's what. And as mellow as he is, I would pay solid dollars to watch him explode in front of an umpire.I was initially hopeful that LaRussa might head to New York, but it looks like he's probably going to stay in St. Louis, and that's fine with me too.
(Source and source, because citation is important.)
