Joe Torre's Steadying Influence Made Players Want to Come to New York

"Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him? Let's not forget what my dad did in giving him that opportunity and the great team he was handed." Statement made by George Steinbrenner's son Hank.


The Yankees Had No Problem Signing Free Agents

When free agency started, no one was better at the game than George Steinbrenner. From Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Don Gullett, and Rich Gossage to Luis Tiant, Tommy John, Rudy May, Bob Watson, and Dave Winfield, the Yankees had a corner on the market. It wasn't only the money, although it cannot be argued that money didn't matter. No, it was the money and playing for the Yankees. But by the early 1980s, things started to change.

John Denny Signed With the Indians for Less Money

John Denny was good pitcher with Cleveland who became a free agent after the 1982 season. The Yankees tried to sign him but Denny turned them down, explaining that "I didn't want to subject myself at this time to the environment of the New York Yankees, particularly George Steinbrenner. I didn't want to subject myself to how he runs the ball club." Denny re-signed with the Indians for less money.

The Yankees Pursue Greg Maddux

Ten years later, the Yankees offered Greg Maddux a lucrative contract of $34 million for five years. General manager Gene Michael said he believe that it was the most substantial deal offered to Maddux and added that if he turned it down, it would be because he didn't want to play in New York. Michael didn't clarify if that meant Maddux didn't want to play IN New York or FOR New York. A few days later, Maddux and agent Scott Boras announced that the right hander had signed with the Braves for $28 million over five years. Gene Michael told reporters that "This one hurts. I never thought that I could say this. But at $28 million, he's a steal. He's a steal."

Joe Torre Changed Things