Joe Torre

Joseph Paul Torre Jr. was born July 18, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York to Italian immigrants Margaret and Joseph Sr., a plainclothes officer in the New York City Police Department.{{Cite web |last=Simone |first=Scott |date=September 13, 2013 |title=Joe Torre: A Traumatic Childhood and an All-Star Baseball Career |url=http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/October-2013/Joe-Torre-A-Traumatic-Childhood-and-an-All-Star-Baseball-Career/ |access-date=2025-04-08 |website=Westchester Magazine}} He was the youngest of five children, with two brothers, Frank (who also went on to play in the Major Leagues) and Rocco, and two sisters, Rae and Marguerite.Sullivan, Al (April 19, 2015). "Baseball great takes on domestic violence". The Union City Reporter, Volume 19, No 9. pp 1, 10 and 19. Torre was raised in the Marine Park neighborhood of Brooklyn.[http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Joe_Torre.aspx "Torre, Joe "]. Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved May 10, 2015. Torre's father Joseph abused Margaret until Torre was 13 years old, when Torre's brother Frank convinced their father to move out.{{cite news|last1=McCarron|first1=Anthony|title=Joe Torre's journey from Brooklyn to Cooperstown|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/joe-torre-journey-brooklyn-cooperstown-article-1.1881051|access-date=24 January 2018|work=NY Daily News|date=July 26, 2014|language=en}} The couple would later divorce.

Torre played baseball at Saint Francis Prep and in the All-American Amateur Baseball Association for the Brooklyn Cadets. Heavyset as a teenager, Torre was not considered a viable professional prospect until he converted to catcher on the advice of his brother Frank.{{cite news|last1=Mastovich|first1=Mike|title=Torre brothers tied tightly with AAABA|url=http://www.tribdem.com/sports/national_sports/torre-brothers-tied-tightly-with-aaaba/article_5c7fdc90-bedd-5194-9f1d-ae552841a323.html|access-date=24 January 2018|work=The Tribune-Democrat|date=September 21, 2008|language=en}} Torre worked briefly at the American Stock Exchange after high school.{{cite book|last1=Stout|first1=Glenn|title=From Hardships to Championships|date=2013|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|isbn=978-0547985374|page=76|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cBvyqNyT8w4C&q=joe+torre+stock+exchange&pg=PA76|access-date=24 January 2018|language=en}}

Torre followed in his brother Frank's footsteps when he was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1959.{{cite news|last1=Goldstein|first1=Richard|title=Frank Torre, Inspiration to a Yankees Manager, Dies at 82|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/14/sports/baseball/frank-torre-inspiration-to-a-yankees-manager-dies-at-82.html|access-date=24 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=13 September 2014}} In his first season in the minor leagues with the Class C Eau Claire Braves, he won the {{Baseball year|1960}} Northern League batting championship with a .344 batting average.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=torre-001jos|title=Joe Torre minor league statistics|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/leader.cgi?type=bat&id=13148|title=1960 Northern League Batting Leaders |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 8, 2011}}

Torre made his major league debut late in the season on September 25, 1960. For the {{Baseball year|1961}} season he was assigned to the Triple A Louisville Colonels, where the Braves planned to groom him as the eventual successor to their All-Star catcher, Del Crandall.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WS0DAAAAMBAJ&q=joe%20torre%20baseball%20digest&pg=PA19 |title=Best Young Catcher! |author=Walfoort, Cleon |date=December 1961 |magazine=Baseball Digest |access-date=January 8, 2011}} However, those plans were changed when Crandall injured his throwing arm in May 1961, forcing the Braves to promote Torre to the major leagues with just over a year of minor league experience. Torre rose to the occasion, hitting for a .278 batting average with 21 doubles and 10 home runs. He finished the season ranked second to Billy Williams in the {{mlby|1961}} National League Rookie of the Year voting.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1961.shtml#NL_Rookie_of_the_Year_voting|title=1961 National League Rookie of the Year voting results|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011}}

Crandall resumed his role as the starting catcher in 1962 while Torre stayed on as the back-up catcher.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MLN/1962.shtml|title=1962 Milwaukee Braves|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011}} By the 1963 season, the Braves had begun to play Crandall at first base as Torre had taken over the starting catcher's role.{{cite news|title=Names Are the Same in Braves Line-up, but They're Not in the Same Old Places|work=The Milwaukee Journal|page=10|date=May 11, 1963|access-date=January 10, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zB0aAAAAIBAJ&pg=6976,55743&dq=del+crandall&hl=en}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MLN/1963.shtml|title=1963 Milwaukee Braves|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} He ended the season with a .293 batting average with 14 home runs and 71 runs batted in, and earned a spot as a reserve for the National League team in the 1963 All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS196307090.shtml|title=1963 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} In December {{mlby|1963}}, the Braves traded Crandall to the San Francisco Giants, leaving Torre as the undisputed number one catcher.{{cite news|title=Braves get Alou, Bailey, Hoeft|work=The Milwaukee Sentinel|page=6|date=December 4, 1963|access-date=January 8, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VB01AAAAIBAJ&pg=6048,320543&dq=del+crandall&hl=en}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Torre had a breakout year in 1964 when he batted .321 (fourth highest in the National League) with 20 home runs and 109 runs batted in, and he led National League catchers with a .995 fielding percentage.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1964-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1964 National League Batting Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1964-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1964 National League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} He was selected as the starting catcher for the National League in the 1964 All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=torrejo01&t=b&year=1964|title=1964 Joe Torre batting log|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NLS/NLS196407070.shtml|title=1964 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} Despite the fact that the Braves finished the season in fifth place, Torre ranked fifth in voting for the {{mlby|1964}} National League Most Valuable Player Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1964.shtml#NLmvp|title=1964 National League Most Valuable Player Award balloting|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }}

In 1965, Torre won his first of two NL Player of the Month awards when he took the honor for May, batting .382, with 10 HR and 24 RBIs. Torre was once again the starting catcher for the National League in the 1965 All-Star Game, and he hit a two-run home run against Milt Pappas to help the National League to a 6–5 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS196507130.shtml|title=1965 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} He ended the season with a career-high 27 home runs and 80 runs batted in, though his batting average dipped to .291. Torre won his first and only Gold Glove Award in 1965; however, baseball historian Bill James later said the decision was influenced by his offensive statistics and that either John Roseboro or Tom Haller were more deserving of the award.{{cite book|author=James, Bill|title=The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract|publisher=Free Press|location=New York|year=2001|page=[https://archive.org/details/newbilljameshist00jame/page/376 376]|isbn=0-684-80697-5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#1965|title=1965 Gold Glove Award winners|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011 }} In an article for the St. Petersburg Independent that year, Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac called Torre "the best catcher since Roy Campanella."{{cite book|last=Kerouac|first=Jack|title=Good Blonde & Others|publisher=Grey Fox Press|year=1993|page=134}}

For the 1966 season the Braves relocated to Atlanta and the new Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium which, due to its less dense atmosphere in the high elevation in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, made it favorable to home run hitters. This resulted in the stadium being nicknamed The Launching Pad.{{cite book|last=Lowry|first=Phillip|title=Green Cathedrals|url=https://archive.org/details/greencathedralsu0000lowr_u1c9|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Walker & Company|location=New York City|isbn=0-8027-1562-1}} On April 12, 1966, Torre hit the first major league home run in the history of the Atlanta stadium.{{cite web|url=http://research.sabr.org/journals/home-run-baptism-of-new-parks|title=Home Run Baptism of New Parks|publisher=sabr.org|access-date=February 24, 2012}} Torre produced a career-high 36 home runs with 101 runs batted in, a .315 batting average, a .382 on-base percentage, and led National League catchers with a 48.6% caught stealing percentage. He started behind the plate for the National League All-Star team for the third successive year.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NLS/NLS196607120.shtml|title=1966 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011}} His offensive production tapered off in 1967, during which he compiled a .277 batting average with 68 runs batted in, though he still hit 20 home runs and won his fourth consecutive start in the 1967 All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS196707110.shtml|title=1967 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 8, 2011}} He posted another sub-par season in 1968 with a .271 batting average, 10 home runs, and 55 runs batted in; yet he led National League catchers with a .996 fielding percentage.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1968-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1968 National League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }}

Before the 1969 season, Torre became embroiled in a feud with Braves General Manager Paul Richards over his salary.{{cite news|title=Torre, Richards Feud On As Catcher Stays Holdout|agency=Associated Press|work=The Tuscaloosa News|page=10|date=March 14, 1969|access-date=January 8, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3ikeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5419,3036654&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}} Eventually the Braves traded Torre to the St. Louis Cardinals for the {{Baseball year|1967}} Most Valuable Player Award winner, Orlando Cepeda.{{cite news|title=Big Swap: Joe Torre For Cepeda|agency=Associated Press|work=The Deseret News|page=2|date=March 17, 1969|access-date=January 8, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MJYrAAAAIBAJ&pg=2350,3568837&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}}

The Cardinals had Tim McCarver as their starting catcher, so Torre replaced the departed Cepeda at first base for the 1969 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1969.shtml |title=1969 St. Louis Cardinals |website=Baseball Reference |access-date=January 9, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224195259/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1969.shtml |archive-date=February 24, 2009 |df=mdy }} His offensive statistics rebounded, and he ended the season with a .289 batting average, alongside 18 home runs and 101 runs batted in. In 1970, the Cardinals traded McCarver to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Curt Flood, Byron Browne, and Joe Hoerner, in return for Dick Allen, Jerry Johnson, and Cookie Rojas.{{cite news|title=Flood traded for Allen; Redbird star retires|work=The Michigan Daily|page=7|date=October 9, 1969|access-date=January 9, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1gxKAAAAIBAJ&pg=909,2135101&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}} Allen took over as the Cardinals' first baseman while Torre split his playing time between playing third base and sharing catching duties with young prospect Ted Simmons.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/1970.shtml|title=1970 St. Louis Cardinals|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011}} His offensive statistics continued to improve, as he hit 21 home runs with 100 runs batted in and finished second to Rico Carty for the National League batting title with a .325 batting average.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1970-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1970 National League Batting Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }}

The Cardinals made Simmons their full-time catcher in 1971, leaving Torre to concentrate on playing third base. Freed from the mentally challenging, strength-sapping job of catching, Torre had a career-season offensively.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ODMDAAAAMBAJ&q=joe%20torre%20baseball%20digest&pg=PA4|title=Warm Up Tosses|author=Kuenster, John|date=December 1971|magazine=Baseball Digest|access-date=January 9, 2011 }}{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=my0DAAAAMBAJ&q=joe+torre+baseball+digest&pg=PA6|title=Un-covering The Past|date=December 2000|magazine=Baseball Digest|access-date=January 9, 2011 }} Torre won the National League batting championship, hitting career highs in batting average, .363, hits, 230, and an NL leading 137 RBIs along with 24 home runs, en route to winning the {{Baseball year|1971}} National League Most Valuable Player award.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1971-batting-leaders.shtml|title=1971 National League Batting Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1971.shtml#NL_MVP_voting|title=1971 National League Most Valuable Player Award voting|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }} He also was voted to be the starting third baseman for the National League in the 1971 All-Star Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ALS/ALS197107130.shtml|title=1971 All-Star Game|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 9, 2011 }} He was named NL Player of the Month for the second and final time in August (.373, 5 HR, 27 RBI). Adapting to a new defensive position proved to be a challenge, as Torre led the league's third basemen with 21 errors.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1971-fielding-leaders.shtml|title=1971 National League Fielding Leaders|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=January 10, 2011 }} In December, he was awarded the 1971 Hutch Award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson.{{cite news|title=Hutch Award to Joe Torre|agency=Associated Press|work=St. Joseph News-Press|page=5|date=December 16, 1971|access-date=January 10, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nE1hAAAAIBAJ&pg=1172,4215591&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}}

In 1972, Torre won his second consecutive starting role as third baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game. However, his offensive numbers for the season dipped to a .289 batting average with 11 home runs and 81 runs batted in. After two more sub-par seasons, the Cardinals traded the 34-year-old Torre to the New York Mets for Ray Sadecki and Tommy Moore on October 13, 1974.{{cite news|title=Joe Torre Traded|agency=Associated Press|work=The Spokesman-Review|page=13|date=October 14, 1974|access-date=January 9, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1x9OAAAAIBAJ&pg=7014,6039244&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}}

With the Mets in {{mlby|1975}}, Torre became the third player in Major League history, and first in the National League, to hit into four double plays in one game.{{cite news|title=Joe Torre sets record as double play victim|agency=Associated Press|work=The Bulletin|date=July 21, 1975|access-date=January 10, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jmZYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3439,5803978&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}} Felix Millán singled in all four of his at-bats hitting ahead of Torre, and at a post-game press conference, Torre joked about his own performance by saying "I'd like to thank Felix Millán for making this possible." When Torre's batting average fell to .247 in 1975, it appeared that his best years might be behind him. However, his average rebounded 59 points in 1976, and he finished the year with a .306 batting average.{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OTMDAAAAMBAJ&q=joe+torre+baseball+digest&pg=PA22|title=Biggest Batting Gainers and Losers in '76|author=Pickard, Chuck|date=February 1977|magazine=Baseball Digest|access-date=January 9, 2011 }} In May 1977, the Mets fired manager Joe Frazier and named Torre as their player-manager.{{cite news|title=Torre Replaces Frazier as Mets' Manager|agency=United Press International|work=The Milwaukee Sentinel|page=1|date=June 1, 1977|access-date=January 9, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=7wgWAAAAIBAJ&pg=3386,82404&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Torre was the second of three player-managers in the 1970s, the other two being Frank Robinson in {{baseball year|1975}} and {{baseball year|1976}} with the Cleveland Indians, and Don Kessinger in {{baseball year|1979}} with the Chicago White Sox.{{cite news|title=Fly ball to right ends Joe Torre's playing career|agency=Associated Press|work=St. Joseph Gazette|page=2|date=June 21, 1977|access-date=January 9, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IxNdAAAAIBAJ&pg=1124,4071132&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}} Because Torre believed he could not do the job of manager properly while still playing, he decided to retire at age 37. He served 18 days as a player-manager, having two at-bats. His final at-bat came on June 17, 1977, at Shea Stadium against the Houston Astros, when he put himself in as a pinch hitter. He flied out to right field, thereby ending his playing career.

Torre managed the Mets from 1977 to 1981 season, but failed to improve the team's record. He went 49–68 in his first season with the Mets, while the team finished 64–98 overall and in last place in the NL East. The next three seasons were similar, as the Mets went 66–96, 63–99, and 67–95, though avoiding last place in 1980. The strike-shortened season of 1981 was Torre's last with the team, and he went 17–34 in the first half of the season and 24–28 in the second half, finishing fifth and fourth, respectively. After five years without a winning season, Torre was fired at the end of the strike-shortened {{mlby|1981}} season.{{cite news|title=New York Mets dump Joe Torre|agency=Associated Press|work=Lewiston Morning Tribune|page=C|date=October 5, 1981|access-date=January 9, 2011|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xLZeAAAAIBAJ&pg=5399,2123017&dq=joe+torre&hl=en}}

File:JoeTorre1982.jpg

In 1982, Torre replaced Bobby Cox as the manager of the Atlanta Braves, and immediately guided the team to a Major League record 13 straight wins to open the season, a mark that was later tied by the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers and the 2023 Tampa Bay Rays. Atlanta subsequently went on to finish 89–73 and capture the National League West division title, its first playoff appearance since the 1969 National League Championship Series (NLCS). In Game 1 of the 1982 NLCS against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Braves jumped out to a 1–0 lead before the game was delayed by rain after four innings. The rain persisted, and the game was wiped out just three outs short of an official game. St. Louis won the restaged Game 1, and went on to sweep the series. Torre was named the Associated Press (AP) Manager of the Year, becoming the first person to win both that and an MVP award.{{cite web |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=la&coachorstaffid=123406 |title=Los Angeles Dodgers managers and coaches: Joe Torre |website=m.dodgers.mlb.com |access-date=May 31, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625020821/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=la&coachorstaffid=123406 |url-status=dead }}

The Braves slipped to second place in 1983, with an 88–74 record that was just one game off of the division-winning record of the previous season. This marked the first consecutive winning seasons for the team since moving from Milwaukee in 1966. In 1984, Atlanta slipped to 80–82, but again finished second in the division (tied with Houston Astros). Torre was fired after the 1984 season.

File:Joetorre1995.jpg

In 1990, Torre replaced the popular Whitey Herzog as Cardinals manager and posted a 351–354 record. Though the Cardinals were unable to reach the playoffs during Torre's tenure, they had winning records in three of the four seasons he spent with the club. Despite a last-place prediction from many commentators, the Cardinals finished in second place and won 84 games in 1991, Torre's first full season at the helm. His best record was 87–75 in 1993. Torre was fired in June 1995 for his poor record that year, and also as part of a rebuilding project while Anheuser-Busch prepared to sell the team.

After being hired on November 2, 1995, Torre served as the Yankees' manager under owner George Steinbrenner. Torre lasted twelve full seasons, managing 1,942 regular-season games, with a won-loss record of 1,173–767.{{cite web |title=Joe Torre |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml| website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=November 21, 2014}} He took the team to the postseason in every one of his twelve seasons with the club, winning six American League pennants and four World Series. Torre had by far the longest tenure for a Yankees manager in the Steinbrenner era, and his time as manager is tied for the second-longest in club history with those of Miller Huggins and Casey Stengel, behind the sixteen-season run of Joe McCarthy.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/managers.shtml |title=New York Yankees Managerial Register |website=Baseball-Reference.com}} Torre is the only Yankees manager who was born in New York City.

File:P9154-30 Joe Torre, George W. Bush and Bob Brenly.jpg and Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly on the field at Yankee Stadium before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.]]

Before his first game with the Yankees, Torre got off to a rough start. The New York City press (and fans) thought his hiring was a colossal mistake and greeted him with tabloid headlines such as "Clueless Joe."{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ex-yankees-manager-joe-torre-front-back-pages-clueless-joe-bombers-legend-gallery-1.55145 | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Ex-Yankees manager Joe Torre on the front and back pages: From Clueless Joe to Bombers Legend}} Including his three previous jobs, he had been a combined 109 games below .500, and had never won a playoff game in 14 seasons.{{cite web |last=Leitch |first=Will |url=http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/130956592/joe-torre-fired-st-louis-cardinals-20-years-ago-new-york-yankees |title=The move that changed baseball |website=Sports on Earth |date=June 16, 2015 |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-date=April 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405100003/http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/130956592/joe-torre-fired-st-louis-cardinals-20-years-ago-new-york-yankees |url-status=dead }} He had appeared in 2,209 games as a player and 1,901 as a manager for a total of 4,110 games without reaching a World Series, let alone winning it.

However, it was with the Yankees that he enjoyed the greatest success of his managerial career, leading the team to the playoffs in each of his twelve seasons (1996–2007) there. In {{baseball year|1996}}, he was named Manager of the Year. Torre, building on the Yankees' Wild Card berth in 1995, made his first-ever trip to the World Series, leading the Yankees to their first Series since {{wsy|1981}}. After the Yankees defeated the Atlanta Braves, Steinbrenner tore up Torre's contract and gave him a new, more lucrative, and longer contract as a reward.

On April 30, {{mlby|1997}}, Torre won his 1,000th game as manager, with a 2–1 victory over the Seattle Mariners.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-01-sp-54246-story.html|title = McGwire Hammers 944 Feet of Homers|website = Los Angeles Times|date = May 1997}} The Yankees went into the postseason for the third straight year, albeit as a Wild Card. They lost to the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series. After that, the team would win three straight World Series titles from {{wsy|1998}} to {{wsy|2000}}, and additional American League pennants in {{mlby|2001}} and {{mlby|2003}}.

The {{mlby|1998}} season was Torre's most successful. Despite a slow start that included losing four of the first five games of the season, the Yankees set a then-American League record of 114 regular-season wins, including David Wells's perfect game against the Minnesota Twins on May 17.{{cite web |last=Jaffe |first=Jay |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/strike-zone/2013/05/17/david-wells-perfect-game-anniversary-yankees |title=15 years ago today: David Wells' perfect game |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 17, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2016}} It was in an August 11 victory over the Twins that Torre evened his career record win–loss record, making it 1168–1168. One other manager in Yankees' history, Stengel, had joined the team with a career record further below .500 than Torre, at 166 games; Stengel, too, reached .500 for his career during his time as Yankees manager.

During the 1998 playoffs, the Yankees easily bested the Texas Rangers, fought off the Cleveland Indians for the AL pennant, and swept the San Diego Padres in the World Series. His club set a major-league record of 125 total wins a season, including the regular season and the postseason, breaking the 1906 Chicago Cubs' record of 118. Torre won Manager of the Year honors, and the {{baseball year|1998}} team is now widely regarded as one of the best teams of all time,{{cite web |last=McCarron |first=Anthony |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/12-seasons-bronx-joe-torre-top-world-article-1.227515 |title=In 12 seasons in Bronx, Joe Torre was on top of the world |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=October 19, 2007 |access-date=June 1, 2016}} along with the Yankee teams of 1927, {{mlby|1939}} and {{mlby|1961}}, the 1972–1974 Oakland Athletics, and the 1975–1976 Cincinnati Reds.

When ESPN launched its Who's#1? series on June 15, {{mlby|2004}}, the 1998 Yankees topped the network's list of best teams over the years 1979 to 2003.

Torre presided over a second perfect game in 1999, this time behind starter David Cone, who defeated the Montreal Expos 6–0.{{cite web |last=Dubow |first=Josh |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/baseball/daily/july99/19/cone19.htm |title=Cone accomplishes perfection vs. Expos |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |date=July 18, 1999 |access-date=June 1, 2016}} This occurred on July 18, Torre's 59th birthday. He thus became the first to manage his teams to two perfect game wins, while becoming just the fourth in MLB history to manage his club in two perfect games, joining Stengel (1–1), Walter Alston (1–1), and Tommy Lasorda (0–2). The Yankees also won their second consecutive World Series.

With a win over Minnesota on May 12, 2002, Torre became the 17th manager in Major League history to reach the milestone of 1,500 victories.

In {{mlby|2004}}, Torre suffered his greatest setback, marking the end of the Yankees' dominance. After building a 3–0 lead in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, his team would go on to lose the next four games and the ALCS. This Red Sox victory was the first time that any team had come back from being down three games to none in a series, and such a comeback has not happened again since. The Red Sox would go on to win the 2004 World Series, their first title since {{wsy|1918}}, thereby ending the "Curse of the Bambino", which had supposedly been inflicted on the team when Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees in early 1920.{{cite book |last=Shaughnessy |first=Dan |title=The Curse of the Bambino |year=1990 |publisher=Dutton |location=New York |isbn=0-525-24887-0 |author-link=Dan Shaughnessy |pages=31–34 |url=https://archive.org/details/curseofbambino00shau}}

File:Joe Torre.JPG

After getting off to an 8−11 start in 2005, the Yankees played their last five months at 84−48. They won 14 of their last 18 on their way to employing a franchise record 51 players to overtake Boston and capture their eighth consecutive AL East title. Their season ended in a five-game ALDS loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.{{cite web |last=Feinsand |first=Mark |url=http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/1249726 |title=Yankees season in review: Thrilling season spotlights Yankees' needs |website=m.yankees.mlb.com |date=October 14, 2005 |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625105203/http://m.yankees.mlb.com/news/article/1249726 |url-status=dead }}

Despite pitching issues and injuries, the Yankees won another AL East title in 2006, but would go on to lose the ALDS to the Detroit Tigers in four games.

In 2007, Torre achieved his 2,000th win to become the first man to win 2,000 games as a Major League manager and also collect 2,000 hits as a Major League player. He later notched his 2,010th managerial win, overtaking Leo Durocher for ninth place on the MLB all-time managerial wins list. Next, he passed Stengel on the Yankees' all-time managerial wins list in 2007 with his 1,150th victory with the team. Torre led the Yankees to their 13th consecutive postseason appearance.

File:Torre and coaches.jpg in 2007]]

After two Yankees losses to the Cleveland Indians in the Division Series, Steinbrenner said in an interview that Torre's contract would not be renewed if the Yankees did not defeat the Indians. The Yankees saved their season, and potentially Torre's job, for one day, as they won Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-yankees-torre-idUSN0726900720071008 |title=Torre answers ultimatum with Yankees playoff win |work=Reuters |last=Fine |first=Larry |date=October 7, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2022}} Following the Yankees' elimination the following night, earning them another first-round exit, Torre's fate remained uncertain.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-yankees-idUSN0924285420071009 |title=Torre in limbo as Yankee manager |work=Reuters |last=Fine |first=Larry |date=October 9, 2017 |access-date=August 15, 2022}} That night, as he went out to make what would be his last pitching change with the team, the fans in Yankee Stadium chanted his name.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=271008110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217091621/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=271008110 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |title=Sizemore's leadoff HR sets pace as Indians flush Yanks |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=October 9, 2007 |access-date=August 15, 2022}}

After the season, the Yankees met with Torre and offered him a one-year contract with a $5 million base pay and $1 million bonuses, to be paid for each of three benchmarks the team would reach: winning the American League Division Series; winning the American League Championship Series; and winning the World Series. Further, had the Yankees reached the World Series, that would have automatically triggered an option for a new contract the following year. In spite of a pay cut from an average of $6.4 million over the previous three seasons, the new terms would have kept him as the highest-paid manager in the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/10/Issue-28/Franchises/Joe-Torre-Rejects-One-Year-$5M-To-Return-As-Yankees-Manager.aspx?hl=Business%20News%20Network&sc=0 |title=Joe Torre rejects one-year, $5M to return as Yankees manager |website=Street & Smith's Sports Business Daily |date=October 19, 2007 |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821180506/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/10/Issue-28/Franchises/Joe-Torre-Rejects-One-Year-$5M-To-Return-As-Yankees-Manager.aspx?hl=Business%20News%20Network&sc=0 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Yankee Global Enterprises chairman Hal Steinbrenner "explained the rationale behind the offer, which was nonnegotiable." Yankees president Randy Levine commented, "We thought we needed to go with a performance-based model. It's important to motivate people based on performance." George Steinbrenner, on account of his advancing age and his deteriorating health, had noticeably less influence in the day-to-day operation of the club. Of the ultimatum he issued during the playoffs, his son Hal denied that his comments influenced the terms of the contract they presented to Torre.

The New York media portrayed the offer as an insult. Torre turned it down, ending his era with the Yankees.{{cite web |author=ESPN.com News Services |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3069115 |title=Torre turns down offer to return as Yanks' skipper |website=ESPN.com |date=October 19, 2007 |access-date=May 16, 2014}} On October 19, 2007, he held a news conference to explain his decision. After first thanking George Steinbrenner, he remarked, "I just felt the contract offer and the terms of the contract were probably the thing I had the toughest time with."

Of the aftermath, Wallace Matthews of Newsday commented, "They are very slick, these thugs running the Yankees. ... They have been trying to figure out a way to whack Torre while making it appear as if Torre whacked himself. What they came up with was brilliant in its innovation and chilling in its cynicism, but ultimately transparent."{{cite news |last=Matthews |first=Wallace |title=Slick Yankees stage setup to get rid of Torre |newspaper=Newsday |date=October 19, 2007}} Opined Mike Lupica, "It was just the most famous disagreement we are ever likely to see in baseball, the most famous manager telling the people who run the most famous team to take their job and shove it. A manager finally fired the Yankees."{{cite web |last=Lupica |first=Mike |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/joe-torre-manager-fire-george-steinbrenner-article-1.227532 |title=Joe Torre: The first manager to fire George Steinbrenner |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=October 19, 2007 |access-date=June 4, 2016}} Added Joel Sherman, "Torre erred in turning down the Yankees' proposal to stay in the position that has made him rich and famous beyond what he could have dreamed a dozen years ago." He also walks "away from that juice as much as the ownership."

On February 3, 2009, Torre released a book about his experiences with the Yankees, called The Yankee Years, co-authored by Tom Verducci.

Torre returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since vacating the Yankees managerial job on September 20, 2010, to pay respect to George Steinbrenner on the night of the previous owner's monument being unveiled in Monument Park.

File:Joe Torre 2008.jpg

On November 1, 2007, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that Torre would be their manager beginning with the 2008 season, succeeding Grady Little, who had resigned the post two days before. This marked the return of Torre to the National League, the only league he had played or managed in prior to becoming the Yankees' skipper. According to ESPN, Torre's contract was valued at $13 million over three years.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3090266&type=story |title=Torre succeeds Little as Dodgers manager |date=November 2, 2007 |agency=Associated Press |work=ESPN.com}}

Torre brought two members of his 2007 Yankees coaching staff with him. Don Mattingly, who had served as Torre's bench coach, was tabbed as the hitting coach; and third base coach Larry Bowa was brought in to fill the same position with the Dodgers. In January 2008, Mattingly was moved to the role of special assignment coach for the 2008 season due to family concerns. He was replaced as hitting coach by Mike Easler.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3208977&type=story |publisher=ESPN |work=ESPN.com |title=Mattingly to be special assignment coach for Dodgers |date=January 22, 2008|agency=Associated Press}}

In addition, Torre brought in Bob Schaefer to be bench coach, and retained first base coach Mariano Duncan (whom he had managed with the Yankees) and pitching coach Rick Honeycutt from Little's staff. Ken Howell was promoted from Triple-A pitching coach to bullpen coach, completing Torre's staff.{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-11-16-2937100569_x.htm |title=Dodgers add 4 more coaches to Joe Torre's staff |date=November 16, 2007 |first=John |last=Nadel |agency=Associated Press |work=USA Today}} Torre had grown up in Brooklyn when the Dodgers played there, but he admitted to having been a New York Giants fan then, adding another twist to the longstanding rivalry between the two clubs.{{cite news|last1=Hecht|first1=Henry|title=The Nice Guy Who Runs the Lousy Mets|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdECAAAAMBAJ&q=joe+torre+1959&pg=PA83|access-date=24 January 2018|work=New York|publisher=New York Media, LLC|date=30 April 1979|language=en}}

On March 31, 2008, Joe Torre made his managerial debut with the Dodgers in a 5–0 victory. Ironically, he would be managing several former members of the 2003 Red Sox, such as Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Nomar Garciaparra. On September 25, 2008, the Dodgers clinched the National League West title, giving Torre his 13th consecutive postseason appearance. October 4, 2008 saw Torre managing the Dodgers to a 3–0 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series, earning the Dodgers their first post-season series victory since their championship season of 1988.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers5-2008oct05,0,7689634,full.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009034935/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers5-2008oct05,0,7689634,full.story |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 9, 2008 |title=Joe Torre's winning streak continues |first=Dylan |last=Hern |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 5, 2008 |access-date=September 17, 2009}} Torre's Dodgers were beaten in the NLCS four games to one by the eventual World Series-winning Phillies.

In 2009, Torre served as a coach on manager Charlie Manuel's staff in the All-Star Game. The Dodgers achieved the National League's best record (95–67), clinching the top seed. They faced the St. Louis Cardinals, in the National League Division Series, sweeping them in three games. However, they went on to lose to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS in five games, ending their second consecutive season with a loss to the Phillies, who would go on to lose to the Yankees in the World Series.

During the 2010 season, the Dodgers played against both the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Dodgers managed to only go 1–5 against the two teams. It was the first time Torre had faced either the Yankees or the Red Sox since leaving the Yankees.{{cite web |title=Dodgers draw Yanks, Red Sox in 2010 |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090914&content_id=6965126&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |date=September 15, 2009 |access-date=September 17, 2009 |first=Ken |last=Gurnick |website=MLB.com |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121212141/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090914&content_id=6965126&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |url-status=dead }}

On September 17, 2010, Torre announced he would step down as Dodgers manager after the 2010 season, with Mattingly being Torre's replacement for 2011 campaign.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/09/17/joe.torre.retires/ |title=Legendary manager Joe Torre to retire at end of baseball season |work=CNN |date=September 17, 2010 |access-date=May 30, 2016}}

On October 3, 2010, the Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 3–1 at Dodger Stadium for Torre's 2,326th and final career win. Torre stepped down as manager at the conclusion of the game.{{cite web |url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101003&content_id=15385266&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |title=Torre reflects on time in L.A., career after victory |website=Losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014 |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619235716/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101003&content_id=15385266&vkey=news_la&c_id=la |url-status=dead }}

From {{baseball year|1985}} to {{baseball year|1990}}, Torre worked as a television color commentator for the California Angels.{{cite web |url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=nyy&coachorstaffid=7710314226 |title=The Official Site of The New York Yankees: Team: Manager and Coaches |publisher=Newyork.yankees.mlb.com |date=2014-03-27 |access-date=2014-05-16 |archive-date=April 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070427180925/http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=nyy&coachorstaffid=7710314226 |url-status=dead }} Torre also worked as a color commentator for NBC's Game of the Week{{YouTube|title=1989 05 13 NBC GOW Milwaukee Brewers at Oakland A's|id=d6fFVFfzGb8}} telecasts alongside Jay Randolph. While working as a guest analyst for ESPN during the 1989 World Series, Torre was on hand for the Loma Prieta earthquake (October 17, {{baseball year|1989}}).

With a desire to stay active after his managing career, and in spite of his advancing age,{{cite web |last=Schafer |first=Steve |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2015/02/11/baseball-legend-joe-torre-never-slow-down-never-grow-old/#697a47de1782 |title=Joe Torre's retirement plan: Never slow down, never grow old |magazine=Forbes |date=February 11, 2015 |access-date=June 1, 2016}} Torre accepted a position assisting Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig as the new Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations on February 26, 2011.{{cite web |author=MLB Press Release |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20110226&content_id=16742192&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Joe Torre named Major League Baseball's Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations |website=MLB.com |date=February 26, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2014}} His stated duties according to the MLB.com biography include serving as the primary liaison for all baseball and on-field activities between the office of the commissioner and the general managers and field managers of all 30 Major League clubs. Other duties include overseeing areas of major league operations, on-field operations, discipline, and umpiring.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/executives.jsp?bio=torre_joe |title=MLB official info: MLB executives: Joe Torre, chief baseball officer |website=MLB.com |access-date=August 9, 2015}} In December 2014, as part of an executive reorganization, MLB announced Torre's title was modified to Chief Baseball Officer, though his duties remained unchanged.{{cite web |last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/04/joe-torre-is-now-mlbs-chief-baseball-officer/ |title=Joe Torre is now MLB's 'Chief Baseball Officer' |website=NBCSports.com Hardball Talk |date=December 4, 2014 |access-date=August 9, 2015}}

Torre drew criticism when, during the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks, MLB denied the New York Mets the right to wear tribute caps to first responders, as they had done in the month following the attacks.{{cite web |last=Rumberg |first=Howie |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mets-denied-wear-special-caps-002108907.html |title=Mets denied right to wear special caps |website=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press |date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}{{cite web |author=The Upshot |url=https://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/mets-plans-wear-first-responder-caps-thwarted-mlb-022418896.html |title=Mets' plans to wear first responder caps thwarted by MLB |website=Yahoo! News |date=September 11, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}

Torre briefly resigned from his position with Major League Baseball in January 2012 amid speculation that he was interested in joining one of the groups seeking to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite web |last=Shaikin |first=Bill |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgers/2012/01/rick-caruso-joe-torre-announce-dodgers-bid.html |title=Joe Torre joining Rick Caruso in bid to buy Dodgers |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 4, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2014}} The following March, he returned to his position with MLB after his group failed to buy the Dodgers.{{cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120323&content_id=27541020&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Joe Torre has rejoined MLB as Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations |work=MLB.com |date=March 27, 2014 |access-date=May 16, 2014}}

Torre was the manager of the USA team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121126&content_id=40422714&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Torre finalizes USA's World Baseball Classic staff |website=MLB.com |date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2014}} On September 22, 2013, he attended a Yankees pregame tribute to Mariano Rivera at Yankee Stadium.{{cite web |last=Megdal |first=Howard |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/yankees/2013/09/22/yankees-honor-mariano-rivera-in-pregame-ceremony/2849629/ |title=Yankees honor Mariano Rivera in pregame ceremony |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 22, 2013 |access-date=June 1, 2016}}

In August 2015, Torre opened dialogue amid concerns about umpiring, the strike zone, and instant replay, by meeting with players and staff of all 30 Major League teams, after Red Sox manager John Farrell had noted an increasing trend of pitches below the strike zone being called strikes.{{cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Jen |url=http://www.masslive.com/redsox/index.ssf/2015/08/mlb_vp_joe_torre_meets_with_bo.html |title=MLB exec Joe Torre meets with Boston Red Sox amid tour of teams to discuss strike zone |work=The Republican|location=(Springfield, Massachusetts) |date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2015}} Commented Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, "It's good leadership that he's willing to initiate conversation, ... giving guys a chance [to express any issues they might have], it's impressive. He wasn't ... making excuses for anybody. He said, 'Help me understand how we can help improve.'"{{cite web |last=Curry |first=Brandon |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/141975900/joe-torre-visits-cardinals-clubhouse |title=Torre talks umpires during meeting with Cards |website=m.cardinals.mlb.com |date=August 8, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2015 |archive-date=August 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810214424/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/141975900/joe-torre-visits-cardinals-clubhouse |url-status=dead }}

In December 2015, Torre led an expedition to Cuba of MLB officials and players. It was the first of its kind since 1999, and it was intended as a step to help normalize relations with the United States that had begun to ease earlier in the year.{{cite web |last=Quiñones |first=Ronal |url=http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=115550 |title=Joe Torre: Baseball can unite Cuba and the USA |work=Havana Times |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Goold |first=Derrick |url=https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/goold-torre-exhilarated-by-reception-in-cuba/article_aa620138-79d1-5a42-a630-2afd43e96c16.html |title=Torre exhilarated by reception in Cuba |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015}}

In February 2020, Torre was replaced as head of on-field operations by former pitcher Chris Young and was reassigned as special assistant to the Commissioner.{{Cite web | url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/02/quick-hits-young-torre-intl-prospects-leon-franco.html | title=Quick Hits: Young, Torre, Int'l Prospects| date=February 6, 2020}} Despite retaining a post in the commissioners result, Torre no longer determined fines and suspensions for on-field incidents.{{Cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28649530/former-pitcher-chris-young-replacing-joe-torre-mlb-disciplinarian |title = Former pitcher Chris Young replacing Joe Torre as MLB's disciplinarian |date = February 6, 2020}}

File:Joe Torre 2010.jpg, May 2010]]

Torre appeared in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game 15 total times as a player or as a manager, with his teams going 13–1–1. During his playing career, he was always on the National League squad, going 8–1. Each time he was manager, it was for the American League, with those teams going 5–0–1.

In 2011, Torre made his first appearance at the New York Yankees' Old Timers' Day.{{cite web |last=DeLessio |first=Joe |url=https://nymag.com/daily/sports/2011/06/old-timers_day_2011_featured_j.html |title=Old-Timers' Day 2011 featured Joe Torre's return, Tino Martinez's home run; did not feature Keith Olbermann's color commentary |magazine=New York |date=June 27, 2011 |access-date=May 16, 2014}} He also appeared in 2012, 2014, and 2015.

The Yankees retired Torre's uniform number 6 on "Joe Torre Day", August 23, 2014, and honored him with a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.{{cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-to-retire-joe-torres-number/c-74780086 |title=Yankees to retire Torre's No. 6: Club to honor manager, plus Gossage, Martinez, O'Neill in Monument Park |website=MLB.com |date=May 8, 2014 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |archive-date=June 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625043000/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/74780086/yankees-to-retire-joe-torres-number |url-status=live }}

On August 27, 2016, the Cardinals inducted Torre into the franchise Hall of Fame.{{cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |url=http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/175313688/carpenter-torre-join-cardinals-hall-of-fame |title=Cardinals adding 4 to club's Hall of Fame: Carpenter, Torre, Moore, Breadon will be enshrined Aug. 27 |website=m.cardinals.mlb.com |date=April 29, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-date=May 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503042839/http://m.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article/175313688/carpenter-torre-join-cardinals-hall-of-fame |url-status=dead }}

On July 30, 2022, the Atlanta Braves inducted Torre into the franchise Hall of Fame.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/press-release/press-release-atlanta-braves-to-host-alumni-weekend-with-braves-hall-of-fame-ind?t=braves-press-releases | title=Atlanta Braves to host Alumni Weekend with Braves Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Home Run Derby at Truist Park July 29–31 | website=MLB.com }}

On August 27, 2022, Torre participated in the Mets' Old-Timers' Day (the team's first since 1994) by managing one of the squads.{{cite web |last=Esposito |first=Andy |url=https://www.nysportsday.com/2022/08/29/when-old-was-new-again-at-citi-field-oldtimers-day-revivaland-finally-24 |title=When Old Was New Again at Citi Field Oldtimers Day Revival…and Finally, 24! |date=August 29, 2022 |access-date=June 12, 2023}}

In an 18-year major league career, Torre played in 2,209 games, accumulating 2,342 hits in 7,874 at bats for a .297 career batting average along with 252 home runs, 1,185 runs batted in, and an on-base percentage of .365. He retired with a .990 fielding percentage in 903 games as a catcher, a .993 fielding percentage in 787 games as a first baseman, and a .951 fielding percentage in 515 games as a third baseman.

During his individual seasons, Torre batted over .300 five times, drove in more than 100 runs five times, and hit 20 or more home runs six times. A nine-time All-Star, he won a Most Valuable Player Award a batting title, and an RBI crown. He finished in the National League's top ten four times each in batting average, on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage, adjusted OPS+, hits, total bases, RBIs, and slugging percentage. Also a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner at catcher, Torre led National League catchers twice in fielding percentage, and was in the top five in caught stealing percentage. In ten different seasons combined at catcher, first base, and third base, he finished in the top five in fielding percentage. Baseball historian Bill James ranked Torre 11th all-time among major league catchers.

Torre established a Major League record by guiding his clubs to 14 consecutive World Series wins from Game Three of the 1996 World Series through Game Two of the 2000 championship. He became the second manager to guide his club to 12 consecutive postseason appearances, with Bobby Cox having led the Braves to 14 straight postseason appearances from 1991 through 2005. (There was no postseason in {{Baseball year|1994}}.)

General reference:{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=torrejo01 |title=Joe Torre awards |publisher=Baseball Almanac |access-date=August 9, 2015}}

;Awards

• 2× Associated Press Manager of the Year (1982, 1998)
• Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards for American League Manager of the Year (1998){{cite web |url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/iba/index.php?mode=history |title=Internet Baseball Awards: History (1991–2009) |publisher=Baseball Prospectus, Prospectus Entertainment Ventures, LLC |access-date=June 4, 2011}}
• 2× BBWAA American League Manager of the Year (1996, 1998)
• Chuck Tanner Major League Baseball Manager of the Year (2007) – first recipient{{cite web |first=Greg |last=Gulas |title=Tanner recounts baseball tales: The New Castle resident worked for the Cleveland Indians scouting staff |date=November 20, 2007 |publisher=The Vindicator |work=Vindy.com |url=http://www4.vindy.com/content/sports/local_regional/355944571967787.php |quote=At the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh last Saturday, the Yankees' Joe Torre was named as the recipient of the first "Chuck Tanner Major League Manager of the Year Award." |access-date=June 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723030824/http://www4.vindy.com/content/sports/local_regional/355944571967787.php |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}
• Hutch Award (1971)
• 15× Major League Baseball All-Star
• 9× as a player (1963–67, 1970–73)
• 6× as a manager (1997, 1999–2002, 2004){{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/managers/torrejo01.shtml |title=Joe Torre managerial record |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=August 9, 2015}}
• National League Most Valuable Player Award (1971)
• 2× National League Player of the Month Award (May 1965, August 1971)
• National League Player of the Week Award (August 8, 1976)
• Rawlings Gold Glove Award at catcher (1965)
• Slocum Award (2008){{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/slocum_award.shtml |title=Slocum Award |work=Baseball Almanac |access-date=August 9, 2015}}
• Sporting News American League Manager of the Year Award (1998)
• Sporting News Major League Baseball Manager of the Decade (2000–09){{cite web |last=Stone |first=Larry |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2009936003_ichiro_on_sporting_news_all-de.html |title=Ichiro on Sporting News All-Decade team. Who is the Player of the Decade? |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 24, 2009 |access-date=September 26, 2009}}
• Sporting News Major League Baseball Player of the Year Award (1971){{cite web |title=Baseball Almanac Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News |work=Baseball Almanac |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml |access-date=October 27, 2012}}
• 4× Sporting News National League All-Star team (1964–66, 1971){{cite web |url=http://retrosheet.org/boxesetc/T/Ptorrj101.htm |title=Joe Torre |work=Retrosheet.org |access-date=August 9, 2015}}
• Sports Illustrated Major League Baseball All-Decade Team manager (2000–09){{cite magazine |last=Posnanski |first=Joe |author-link=Joe Posnanski |title=2000s: The Decade in Sports, All-Decade Team: MLB |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/03/mlb.all.decade.team/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213084122/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/03/mlb.all.decade.team/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 13, 2009 |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=September 20, 2010}}
• Sports Illustrated No. 3 of the Top 10 Coaches/Managers of the Decade in U.S. professional and college sports (2000–09){{cite magazine |last=Hack |first=Damon |title=2000s: Top 10 Coaches/Managers |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=December 22, 2009 |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/14/top.coaches/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100117053609/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/specials/2000s/12/14/top.coaches/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2009}}
• Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award (2002, 2011){{cite web |title=Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award: List of recipients |url=https://www.nybbwaa.com/willie-mickey-and-duke |website=nybbwaa.com}}
• [https://dailygazette.com/article/2019/05/17/former-yankees-manager-torre-speaking-at-skidmore-graduation Doctor of Letters] from [http://skidmore.edu Skidmore College], 5/18/19.

• 5th all-time in MLB history in managerial wins
• Only major leaguer with 2,000 hits as a player and 2,000 wins as a manager

Torre appeared as himself in the broadcast booth in the 1990 film Taking Care of Business, which showed a fictional World Series between the Angels and the Chicago Cubs. He appeared as himself in a 1996 episode of Cosby.

In the 1997 TV movie Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way, Torre was played by Paul Sorvino.

Torre also was featured as the "Voice of the Yankees' Manager" in the 2006 animated feature Everyone's Hero.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430779/ Everyone's Hero (2006)] Torre's character manages a team that includes a fictional Babe Ruth.

Torre appeared with Willie Randolph in a set of Subway commercials, highlighting the pun of Subway and the Subway Series which Torre, then as Yankees manager, took part with Randolph, then as Mets manager.

During the 2008 season, Torre appeared in TV ads for State Farm Insurance, poking fun at both himself and at Hollywood stereotypes.{{cite web |url=http://www.mlb.com/mlb/sweepstakes/y2008/state_farm/index.jsp?mode=torre&partnerId=sf_ref |title=State Farms See Torre Stories|MLB.com: Fan Forum |work=MLB.com |date=2014-03-27 |access-date=2014-05-16 |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006110940/http://www.mlb.com/mlb/sweepstakes/y2008/state_farm/index.jsp?mode=torre&partnerId=sf_ref |url-status=dead }}{{YouTube|ElGFbN6srd8}} {{dead link|date=June 2012}}

On June 15, 2009, Torre was a guest on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien[http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090616&content_id=5348238&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la Torre visits O'Brien on Tonight Show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619060259/http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090616&content_id=5348238&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la |date=June 19, 2009 }}. He has made appearances on Sesame Street, Castle,{{cite web |url=http://castletv.net/episodes/suicide-squeeze |title=Season 2 Episode 215 – The Suicide Squeeze |website=castletv.net |access-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126064342/http://castletv.net/episodes/suicide-squeeze |archive-date=26 January 2010 |url-status=dead}} and Gary Unmarried. Torre also appeared as himself in the 2002 Mafia comedy Analyze That starring Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289848/fullcredits#cast Analyze That (2002) – Full cast and crew]

Torre appeared in the 2022 sports documentary The Captain, covering Derek Jeter's life and career.{{cite web |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/tv/warm-tv-blog/article263547433.html |title=What to Watch this week: Derek Jeter ESPN docuseries 'The Captain' premieres |last=Cain |first=Brooke |work=The News & Observer |date=July 21, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022}}

A thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast, Torre is a part owner of several horses.{{cite magazine |last=Torre |first=Joe |url=https://www.si.com/horse-racing/2014/08/14/joe-torre-breeders-cup-horse-racing |title=How baseball Hall of Famer Joe Torre fell hard for horse racing |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=August 18, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2016}} Game On Dude is a retired thoroughbred who is one of the top older handicap horses in the United States.{{cite web |last=Bossert |first=Jerry |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/game-dude-write-torre-new-breeders-story-article-1.1499798 |title=Breeders Cup 2013: Game on Dude can write Joe Torre a new story |newspaper=New York Daily News |date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=May 22, 2016}} He also was a part-owner of Sis City, winner of the 2005 Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Race Course. Sis City was the dominant three-year-old filly that year until finishing fourth in the May 6 Kentucky Oaks. However, a few weeks later on June 26, Wild Desert, in which Torre is also a partner, won the $1.0 million Queen's Plate, the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. Wild Desert is also partially owned by Keith Jones, an NHL player. A horse named Torre and Zim, was named after Torre and his former bench coach Don Zimmer, as both love horse racing.{{cite web |author=Paulick Report Staff |url=http://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/thanks-to-that-600-with-zim-how-joe-torre-got-hooked-on-horse-racing/ |title='Thanks to that $600 with Zim': How Joe Torre got hooked on horse racing |website=Paulick Report |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=May 22, 2016}} Homeboykris, who had upset the field by a half-length and won the opening card of the Preakness Stakes on May 21, 2016, collapsed and died on his way back to the stall immediately after the race.{{cite web |last=Werner |first=Barry |url=http://www.foxsports.com/horse-racing/story/joe-torre-owned-horse-dies-after-winning-opening-race-on-preakness-card-052116 |title=Joe Torre-owned horse dies after winning opening race on Preakness card |website=FOXSports.com |date=May 21, 2016 |access-date=May 22, 2016}}

In 1997, Torre's autobiography, Chasing the Dream, was released. Later, he authored an advice book, entitled Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners.{{cite news |last=Italie |first=Hillel |title=Joe Torre to recall Yankee years in memoir|agency=Associated Press|work=USA Today |date=November 11, 2007 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/2007-11-08-4019073905_x.htm|access-date=January 31, 2009}} His third book, The Yankee Years, was released in February 2009. The book, co-authored by Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci, details Torre's tenure as manager of the New York Yankees.{{Cite news|last=Madden|first=Bill|title=In book, former Yankee manager Joe Torre takes aim at A-Rod, George Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman|work=New York Daily News |date=January 25, 2009 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/01/24/2009-01-24_in_book_former_yankee_manager_joe_torre_.html |access-date=January 31, 2009}}

In 2002, Torre and his wife Ali established the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation. In October 2007 the Foundation partnered with the Union City, New Jersey Board of Education and the North Hudson Community Action Corporation (NHCAC) to establish the Foundation's Margaret Place initiative at Union City, New Jersey's José Martí Middle School, with a $325,000 donation from Verizon. It continues to receive yearly funding from that company of up to $65,000. The Foundation's mission is to educate about and to prevent domestic violence. Margaret's Place is named after Torre's mother, who was a victim of verbal and physical abuse at the hands of Torre's New York City Police officer father when Torre was a child. Torre describes his father as a "bully", and, while Torre himself was not a target of his father's violence, he has stated that he never felt safe at home, and that he grew up in fear for his mother, saying, "I always felt responsible for it. I never thought I belonged anywhere. I never felt safe except on the ball field." Margaret's Place is a comprehensive program that provides students with a safe room in school where they can meet with a professional counselor trained in domestic violence intervention and prevention in order to address their home situation and to educate them to understand the impact of domestic violence on the community. The children are also given the opportunity to read, play games, or talk about their experience with others. The program, which is administered by health care professionals from North Hudson Community Action Corp., also includes an anti-violence campaign within the school, and training for teachers and counselors. It has grown to eleven sites in the region, though Union City's is the only such program in New Jersey.{{cite news|last=Rosero|first=Jessica|title=Reaching out to the youngest victims: NHCAC, Joe Torre Foundation begins domestic violence program for kids|newspaper=The Union City Reporter|date=October 7, 2007}}{{Cite news|title=Union City Hits a Home Run With The Joe Torre Foundation|publisher=Union City Board of Education|work=Winter 2008 Newsletter|page=1}}

Torre is also a supporter of other anti-domestic violence programs. In September 2008, he recorded a public service announcement{{YouTube|id=3XTpcLGwm8U|title=Joe Torre Talks About RESPECT! }} and personal voice message in support of the RESPECT! Campaign against domestic violence.

He has one son, Michael, by his first wife, Jackie, whom he married in 1963. He has two daughters, Lauren and Cristina, by his second wife, Dani, whom he married in 1968. Both of these marriages ended in divorce. On August 23, 1987, he married Alice (Ali) Wolterman, his third wife. They have a daughter, Andrea.

His older brother Frank was also a Major League Baseball player. Frank died in 2014. His eldest brother Rocco was a New York Police Department officer who died in 1996. His older sister Marguerite was a Roman Catholic nun and teacher, was the principal of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Ozone Park, Queens until her death on May 29, 2022. His other sister Rae died in 2015.

Torre was treated for prostate cancer{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenix5.org/stories/famous/torre.html|title=New York Yankees manager Joe Torre and prostate cancer|publisher=Phoenix5.org|access-date=May 16, 2014}} in 1999.

On December 14, 2005, Torre carried the Olympic Flame in Florence, Italy, as part of the torch relay of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, running it 405 meters, and ending up at the Ponte Vecchio.

{{As of|April 2020}}, Torre and his wife live in Harrison, New York. Until February 2020, they also had a house in Mahopac.{{cite news|last1=Croke|first1=Karen|title=Joe Torre sells Lake Mahopac weekend home|url=https://www.recordonline.com/story/money/real-estate/homes/2020/04/20/yankees-joe-torre-lake-mahopac-home/5165039002/|access-date=8 November 2020|work=Times Herald-Record|date=April 20, 2020}}

{{Portal|Biography|Baseball|New York City}}

{{Div col}}

• List of Los Angeles Angels broadcasters
• List of Major League Baseball All-Star Game managers
• List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
• List of Major League Baseball managers with most career ejections
• List of Major League Baseball managerial wins and winning percentage leaders
• List of Major League Baseball player-managers
• List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle
• List of St. Louis Cardinals team records
• New York Yankees award winners and league leaders
• St. Louis Cardinals award winners and league leaders

{{Div col end}}

{{clear}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/09351408 |title=Joe Torre |first=Alan |last=Cohen |website=SABR}}
• {{cite magazine |last=Hecht |first=Henry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bdECAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA83 |title=The Nice Guy Who Runs the Lousy Mets |magazine=New York |date=April 30, 1979 |pages=83–86}}
• {{cite book |last=Torre |first=Joe |others=with Tom Verducci |title=Chasing the Dream: My Lifelong Journey to the World Series |publisher=Bantam |date=1997 |isbn=0553106589 |url=https://archive.org/details/chasingdreammyli00torr }}
• {{cite book |last=Torre |first=Joe |others=with Henry Dreher |title=Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success |publisher=Hachette Books |date=2000 |isbn=0786884789 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780786884780 }}
• {{cite book |last1=Torre |first1=Joe |last2=Verducci |first2=Tom |title=The Yankee Years |publisher=Doubleday |date=2009 |isbn=978-0385527408 |url=https://archive.org/details/yankeeyears00torr }}

{{commons category|Joe Torre}}

• {{baseballstats|espn=18555|mlb=123406|br=t/torrejo01|fangraphs=1013133|brm=torre-001jos|retro=T/Ptorrj101}}, or [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=torrejo01 Baseball Almanac]
• {{baseball-reference manager|torrejo01}}
• {{bbhof|torre-joe}}
• {{sabrbio|09351408}}
• {{Official Website|http://www.joetorre.org/|Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation}}
• {{IMDb name|0868380}}

{{S-start}}

{{S-ach}}

{{Succession box|before=Bob Gibson
Ferguson Jenkins|title=Major League Player of the Month|years=May 1965
August 1971|after=Vern Law & Willie Stargell
Don Sutton}}

{{Succession box| before = César Tovar | title = Hitting for the cycle| years = June 27, 1973 | after = Richie Zisk}}

{{S-end}}

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