May 6, 2006 -- ARLINGTON - "Joe Torre wasn't fully aware that he was dropping Alex Rodriguez a notch in the batting order when he told Lee Mazzilli to put the returning Gary Sheffield third in the lineup and move everybody else down.
"I wasn't really paying attention to the fact that it moved Alex out of the cleanup hole," Torre said. "I know it sounds made up but that's the truth. If I was aware of it, I certainly would have presented it to Alex before I did it."
Managers will agonize over a lineup card, shuffling batters to compliment the pitcher they'll be facing, the stadium they'll be playing in, even the time of day. Not Mr. Torre. There's no managing going on here, just a pat on the fanny and a "let's get 'em, boys" so it isn't a wonder that such talent is oft times beaten by guile and/or actual knowledge of the game.
The man did not know that adding a batter would move everyone else down a notch in the order. He's paid 4 million dollars a year and he wasn't paying attention.
Amazing.
By the All Star break he's history. The team will be mired in 2nd or 3rd place and a Bobby Velentine-like manager or even bench coach will step in to right the wreck.
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