THERE was a time when the turmoil that has engulfed the Knicks these days was more commonplace in The Bronx, where Billy Martin’s Yankees would fuss and fight or The Boss did something outlandish.
That seems like ages ago, long before Derek Jeter and even before Joe Torre slipped into pinstripes. Since the days of the Bronx Zoo, the Yankees have been more corporate than chaos, winning four World Series in the process. They are as much about TEAM as any in the major leagues, despite a near $200 million payroll that makes the Knicks’ $120 million roster seem like chump change.
Think about it. Roger Clemens, Alex Rodriguez, David Justice, Darryl Strawberry, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi and Randy Johnson are just some of the high-priced talent to play for Torre. Each had earned his share of individual acclaim, certainly more than anyone on the Knicks.
Yet, seldom have any of these Yankees screamed “What about me?” No coaches ripping players or players ripping coaches. No grumbling, mumbling or self-promoting antics. And on the few occasions when the manager has demanded respect, like at the end of last season when his future seemed uncertain, he has gotten it from players and even the front office.
“I’m very comfortable,” Torre said last night. “I think a lot has to do with the fact, the people I work for want me. That means a lot to me.” Larry Brown can’t say the same thing, considering the reports about the Knicks trying to buy out the remaining $44 million on his contract.
Brown could never make his high-priced players perform as a unit. The Yankees have made a habit of it. What’s Torre’s secret? Winning four World Series obviously helps.
“We have them look around and realize we’re all here to do one thing and let’s not think somebody should be treated any better than the other guy,” Torre said. “To me it’s having respect for each other that has a great deal to do with keeping the goal in mind instead of individual accomplishments.” Brown and Torre have never met, which is Brown’s loss more than Torre’s. Maybe the Yankee manager could have told Brown that confident assurance works better with high-priced athletes than ripping them in print. And maybe Torre could have asked Jeter to spend some time with Stephon Marbury and show him how to be a leader.
The Knicks need a Jeter; somebody’s whose nickname “The Captain” demands more respect than the selfserving “Starbury.” Jeter still calls his manager “Mr. Torre.” Imagine Marbury having that kind of reverence for Brown? Stop laughing.
The Yankees’ team-first approach trickles down from Jeter to the other players and is reinforced by games like the one Tuesday night when the Yankees rallied from a 9-0 deficit to win 14-13 on a walk-off home run by Jorge Posada, and last night’s 4-3 triumph that was earned on a series of clutch two-out hits in a three-run fifth.
After Tuesday’s win the Yankees celebrated like kids. Last night, there was quiet satisfaction in knowing they had made eight solid innings from starter Chien-Ming Wang stand up. “We’re paying attention,” Torre said. “It was a good game for us.” If anything, there is a consistent professionalism about the Yankees that makes you believe every game is important. You don’t get that feeling from the Knicks, which is why Brown is probably on his way out after just one season.
When players come to the Yankees, they shut up and do their jobs. There is a mutual respect between coaches and players. Highly paid players become motivated players. The Knicks could learn a lot from the Yankees.
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MAINTAINING WITHOUT MATSUI (lcf)
Chien-Ming Wang, Joe Torre and the Yanks have sustained things without Hideki Matsui. A look at how they fared beginning with the night Matsui was injured:
DATE OPPONENT RESULT
May 11 Red Sox L, 5-3
May 12 Athletics W, 2-0
May 13 Athletics W, 4-3
May 14 Athletics L, 6-1
May 15 Rangers L, 4-2
May 16 Rangers W, 14-13
May 17 Rangers W, 4-3
