It was made official today as the New York Yankees have officially put the number 6 of former Manager Joe Torre out to pasture, marking the 17th time that the Bronx Bombers have retired a number from the organization.
Torre, a former MVP himself as a player was a fringe candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame, remaining on the ballot all fifteen years of eligibility. This Summer, he entered Cooperstown via the Veteran’s Committee for his work as a Manager, predominantly with the Yankees. He would join two other legendary Managers into the Hall this year with Bobby Cox and Tony LaRussa also receiving the nod.
Torre arrived in New York in 1996 with an overall losing record as a Manager prompting many Yankees fans to wonder why he was hired. Their fears were quickly dispelled when his calm demeanor and ability to manage stars (and their egos) were shown by winning the World Series and the American League Manager of the Year Award in his debut campaign in New York.
Torre would go on to win the American League Pennant five more times and the World Series three more times as the Yankees’ skipper posting a Winning Percentage over .600 while there and cementing himself as one of the best Managers the game has ever had.
We are expecting that once Derek Jeter retires at the end of this season, that his number 2 will become the 18th number retired by the Yankees.
We would like to congratulate Joe Torre for receiving the ultimate honor that can be bestowed by the New York Yankees, and the Yankees themselves for having the most elite group of retired numbers in the sport.
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