On an off day for the Dodgers, Joe Torre and Don Mattingly returned to Yankee Stadium tonight for the first time since both left for Los Angeles after the 2007 season. They are in town to honor George Steinbrenner, who is getting his own plaque in Monument Park before tonight's game against Tampa Bay. Earlier today, Torre was a guest on WFAN radio with Mike Francessa, and he discussed his managerial future:
I really don't anticipate managing again, but I think it would be unfair for me not to listen, just out of curiousity, to see if something excites me. I've been spending a lot of time away from home, like I've done for forever, and it's getting to the time where I wishing I could go to Andrea's softball game at times. I'm not sure if managing is going to appeal to me, but I didn't close the door.
Torre also told Francessa what he also said over the weekend at Dodger Stadium, that he would sit down with general manager Ned Colletti later this offseason to discuss a possible role in the Dodgers' front office going forward. Still, as Torre said this weekend, he would never say never, even if at this time he has no plans to manage, at least not yet.
Although various reports have tied Torre to the Mets, where he began his managerial career in 1977, Torre denied any kind of talks have yet taken place. "I have not had and nobody that I know of has had contact with anybody," Torre told Francessa. Not that Torre wouldn't welcome that contact. Per Ian O'Connor of ESPN New York:
Joe Torre to espnnewyork.com on whether he'd listen if the Wilpons called: "Oh there's no question. That's why I didn't shut the door." #mets
Torre and Mattingly will be back in Los Angeles tomorrow, as the Dodgers take on the Padres at Dodger Stadium.