Bronx, NY: Off day on the schedule.  The Yankees have just been swept by the Boston Red Sox to go 8 games up in the loss column and drop the Yankees to 8-15. George Steinbrenner calls an emergency meeting with everyone.  Joe Torre is on speakerphone from Arlington, Texas.

The Boss: How could this have happened?  We were embarrassed in our own park!

Cashman: George, we’ve thrown 5 rookie pitchers, we’re all banged up.  We’ll get everyone healthy.

The Boss: You told me you knew what you were doing when you fired Jeff Silver!  Now everyone has got bad hammys.  I haven’t seen so many bad hammys since Henderson was here!

Randy Levine: George, that’s Jeff Mangold.

Cashman: This happened 2 years ago, remember we started 11-19 and won the division…

The Boss: Quiet! You should have learned a valuable lesson that season.  We worked hard to win the division and then it was out of the playoffs.  Do you know how much revenue we lost because there was no ALCS and WS in our building the past two seasons?

The Boss: Joe, you told me this wouldn’t happen.  You told me that you would have the guys ready to play. You promised that if I gave you a chance to finish your contract that you would…. 

Cashman: Allow me to interject we felt it best …

The Boss: Quiet! It’s because I had a moment of weakness and because I love Joe that I allowed myself to be talked out of bringing back Louie, now he’s managing those perpetual losers.  My father always said that sentimentality is a sign of weakness.  Louie is a winner, he should be managing a winner.  What a way to go out. Anyway, where was I?

Rubenstein: Sir, you were addressing Joe.

The Boss: Right.  Joe, how could you let this happen?

Torre: George, we’re just in a funk, that’s all.  We’ll put it together.  I promise.

The Boss: That’s what you said last time. Joe, you’re out. Cashman, the only reason why you’re sticking around is to dial the phone.  Get Michael on the line.  

Cashman (dialing Gene Michael’s number): Here he is George.

The Boss: Stick. George here.  Look, I’ve just fired Joe.  I’m firing Cashman right now, I need you on a temporary basis.

Gene Michael: George, I’m semi-retired.

The Boss: Now you’re semi-unretired.  Anything you want.  You write the number down, Randy will make it happen.  Your first task.  Who should manage my team, Stick?

Gene Michael: George, get Bowa for the remainder of the season.  I’ll make sure he knows it’s only for this season so Donnie can have a full spring training.

The Boss: Thanks, Stick, Yankee fans everywhere owe you a debt of gratitude and you’ve earned my eternal appreciation.  You’ve saved this organization twice.  You’ve always been a loyal friend. Randy make it happen with Joe’s lawyers.  Rubenstein take this down …..

 

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