MLB teams
Associated Press 10y

Joe Torre: I was made by 'The Boss'

MLB, New York Yankees

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Before he answered a question at the news conference following the Baseball Hall of Fame's induction ceremony on Sunday, Joe Torre addressed someone he regrettably forgot to thank the way he planned in his speech -- George Steinbrenner.

"I missed mentioning and thanking the most obvious guy in the world when you talk about the Yankees," the former manager said of the late owner. "It was so obvious that I was going to do it, I went right past it."

Torre, who won four world championships at the helm of the Yankees from 1996 to 2007, said he felt "terrible" that he left Steinbrenner out of his speech.

After being fired as manager from the Mets, Braves and Cardinals, Torre's path to the Hall of Fame began with the Yankees.

Steinbrenner tabbed the then 55-year-old in November 1995, and Torre's appreciation for the entire Steinbrenner family is ongoing despite his rocky departure from the team after the 2007 season.

Torre, who compiled a 1,173-767 record as Yankee manager, said neither side knew how to say goodbye.

Returning to Yankee Stadium for a memorial honoring Steinbrenner in September 2010 helped mend the relationship between Torre and the team. On Sunday, Torre wanted to make sure his appreciation for the Steinbrenner family was clear.

"They made my whole professional life," Torre said. "I had a good playing career and all that, but managing the Yankees -- what you set out in baseball to do is get to the World Series. To have the opportunity to do that with George so many times was an incredible feeling."

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