Steinbrenner son irked by Torre 'insult' remark
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Departing New York Yankees manager Joe Torre's claim that the club's contract offer to him was an insult prompted an angry response from Hank Steinbrenner on Sunday.
"Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him? My dad was crucified for hiring him," Steinbrenner told the New York Post.
"Let's not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity - and the great team he was handed," added Steinbrenner, who with his brother Hal has lately begun taking more responsibility for the fabled franchise.
Torre guided the Yankees to four World Series titles and never missed taking them to the playoffs in his 12-year tenure as manager. But he walked away from the club after receiving a one-year offer worth five million dollars with performance-based incentives.
Torre, whose 7.5 million-dollar salary this year was more than double that of his nearest rival, said he found the incentive bonuses "an insult."
The 67-year-old had wanted a two-year deal, and said the pay-cut, while still offering him plenty of money, showed dissatisfaction with his work.
Hank Steinbrenner said the offer was bound to take into account the Yankees' loss to Cleveland in the first round of the American League playoffs - their fourth ouster in a row in the opening round of the post-season.
"You can't take credit for success when you're going good, and then not take at least some of the blame when things change," Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Post. "I'm sorry he feels insulted, but that was not the intent."
