« PREGAME: Pregame notes
Main
PREGAME: Papelbon ready »
October 18, 2007
BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer
CLEVELAND -- The news of Joe Torre stepping down as manager of the Yankees is the talk around Jacobs Field today. As the Red Sox prepare to face the Indians in Game Five of the ALCS (Cleveland leads series, 3-1) Terry Francona said he respects Torre's decision.
Obviously, Francona is focused on tonight's game, but he did discuss the Yankees' situation a little.
''I hope Joe is happy,'' he said. ''He deserves the respect and I think you're going to hear people in baseball, every area of baseball, say probably very, very kind, respectful things about Joe the next couple of days. And, they are all deserved. I just hope he's happy.''
The Sox manager was asked to comment further, but he declined.
''You'll have to forgive me,'' he said. ''That's not on the front burner tonight. There will be a time for that, but we really have other things on our plate right now. No disrespect to any organization or any person. . . This is sort of a big day for us to try to win this game. This isn't the time. We need to try to win this game tonight, or I might be getting phone calls. Joe might be calling me.''
Cleveland manager Eric Wedge added his props.
"I think Joe Torre is one of the greatest managers of all time," said Wedge. "I've got a great deal of respect for him as a human being, as well as a baseball man, and with what he's accomplished. I think he should manage as long as he wants to manage. I know there's a business side of it, but from what I understand, for him to look at that and say 'no' good for him. He's earned and deserves to do whatever the hell he wants to do."
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 6:13 PM | Permalink
