Torre Speaks Out

At a press conference this afternoon, Joe Torre spoke with the New York media one last time, answering any and all questions from reporters. Just one day after [rejecting a contract offer] from the Yankees, Torre called the team’s proposal [“an insult.”](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/sports/baseball/19cnd-torre.html?hp)

Of course, the Yankees would say it was insulting that Torre received $1.5 billion worth of players over the past seven seasons and failed to win a World Series, but that’s neither here nor there. Torre said that $5 million—the contract offer’s base salary—“is a lot of money. I’m not going to sneeze at that. But the fact that somebody is reducing your salary is just telling me that they’re just not satisfied with what you’re doing.”

The always-classy manager, speaking without the slightest hint of acrimony, took time to thank everyone, including the fans and his players, and even thanked owner George Steinbrenner, who was as classy throughout this process as a Vegas wedding with an Elvis-impersonating priest. Still, Torre was explicit that it was Yankees who chased him out of New York. “If somebody wanted me to manage here, I’d be managing here. That’s my feeling,” he said. “Yes, it was a very generous offer, no question about it. It still wasn’t the type of commitment that we’re trying to do something together as opposed to what can you do for me.”