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Francona: Torre Is a Gentleman

Outgoing Yankees manager gets respect, support from fans and rivals alike

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 19, 2007 3:51 AM CDT
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(Newser) – After Joe Torre rejected the Yankees' offer of a $5 million one-year contract yesterday, supporters came out of the woodwork in the unlikeliest of places: the Red Sox dugout. Boston manager Terry Francona called Torre a "gentleman," and knuckleballer Tim Wakefield said he "hoped to be able to play for him at some point," reports the New York Times.

Torre's players, Wakefield reports, "say he's the best," and Indians manager Eric Wedge agrees that Torre is "one of the greatest managers of all time." Francona allows that "everyone can talk about Joe and have their opinions," but he himself has respected Torre since Francona's father and the then-Braves catcher were teammates in 1967.

Graphic highlights Joe Torre?s tenure as Yankees? manager; two sizes; 2c x 3 3/4 inches; 96.3 mm x 95.3 mm; 3c x 2 3/4 inches; 146 mm x 69.9 mm
Graphic highlights Joe Torre?s tenure as Yankees? manager; two sizes; 2c x 3 3/4 inches; 96.3 mm x 95.3 mm; 3c x 2 3/4 inches; 146 mm x 69.9 mm   (Associated Press)
New York Yankees manager Joe Torre is shown looking over his shoulder before Game 4 of the Yankees American League Division Series playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, in this Oct. 8, 2007 file photo. Torre rejected a $5 million, one-year contract to return as manager of...
New York Yankees manager Joe Torre is shown looking over his shoulder before Game 4 of the Yankees American League Division Series playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, in this Oct. 8,...   (Associated Press)
Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona responds to a question during a news conference in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007. Francona expressed his respect for Joe Torre after Torre turned down a $5 million deal to return as the Yankees manager next season. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona responds to a question during a news conference in Cleveland, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007. Francona expressed his respect for Joe Torre after Torre turned down a $5 million...   (Associated Press)
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Torre ends tenure with Yankees
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MLB • New York Yankees • Joe Torre • Terry Francona • Eric Wedge • baseball

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