Joe Torre was elected unanimously to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Monday by the 16-member Expansion Era Committee largely on the strength of his 12-year run in The Bronx. Here’s a look at Torre’s five biggest accomplishments in pinstripes:
1. Four World Series titles
Joe Torres is lifted onto the shoulders of his Yankees after the team won the World Series in 2000. Charles Wenzelberg Torre guided the Yankees to a championship in his first season in 1996, then three-peated from 1998-2000. He came within Mariano Rivera’s blown save in the 2001 World Series of making it four in a row.
2. Handling George Steinbrenner
EPA Torre always seemed to ensure the Boss’ bluster never became a circus, reminiscent of the Bronx Zoo days. When the Yankees trailed the Braves 2-0 in the 1996 World Series (and had been destroyed 16-1 in the two games), Torre reassured Steinbrenner, “Don’t worry — Atlanta’s my town. We’re going to go 3-0 there, then come back to New York and win the championship.” Which the Yanks did.
3. Sticking with Rivera
Joe Torre talks with then-relief pitcher Mariano Rivera in 1996. Mo would become the team's closer the next year. Charles Wenzelberg In his first season as the Yankees closer in 1997, John Wetteland’s replacement blew three of his first six save chances. Torre stuck with him — safe to say that was the right move.
4. Ensuring Andy Pettitte stayed in New York
Joe Torre and Andy Pettitte at spring training in 1999. Charles Wenzelberg In 1999, Steinbrenner and the Yankees’ Tampa contingent wanted to ship the lefty to the Phillies for Adam Eaton, Reggie Taylor and Anthony Shumaker. But Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre talked the organization out of it.
5. Unrelenting consistency
Getty Torre managed the Yankees for 12 seasons and made the playoffs every year. He also did it while dealing with plenty of off-the-field issues — prostate cancer for him, heart surgery for his brother, multiple myeloma for Stottlemyre, an aneurysm for David Cone, etc. — and handling the job with class and dignity.
