end of an era

the total extent of my knowledge of the issue comes from passing a tv last night and reading the ticker and the front page of the new york post headlined "SHOVE IT." joe torre declines his one year extension to his contract. 5 million and a million for each level of the playoffs he gets past -- that seems a good deal doesn't it.

over the last 12 years he's picked up four world series, countless division titles and all the good stuff. but he hasn't performed in the last few years. baseball always wanted more parity, and it now has it. only 1 team from the 2006 playoffs went back to the playoffs this year, even though they had a disastrous first half. the same will probably be true in the next season. the days of dynasties are probably over.

has torre been a good coach. sure, but not great. over the course of seasons he's kept the team from collapse (ala 2007 mets), he's managed the different personalities in the clubhouse and everything. should he have pulled joba out of game 2 in the alds? of course. should he have tried to use and build confidence in other members of the bullpen? probably. of course the past is always crystal clear.

the old boss probably would have fired everyone in 2001 after dropping the series to arizona, definately after 2004 after dropping the alcs to boston.

growing up i was always used to having a new manager every few years. billy, stump, buck, dallas, pinella and yogi -- i think that's all of them. what next year brings, who knows. mattingly says he's not ready and all i am thinking is anyone but willie.