Joe Torre Has 'No Aspiration' To Be Next MLB Commissioner
LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) — Former Yankees manager Joe Torre doesn't see himself becoming the next commissioner of Major League Baseball.
But he'd think about it.
"I'm 73 years old. I really don't envision that happening," Torre said before Sunday's NLDS Game 3 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves. "Bud (Selig) has been there for 20-plus years and when the owners decide on who the new commissioner it's going to be, I think they have to think long term. They have to have that in mind, anyway."
Commissioner Bud Selig is set to retire in January 2015. It's been speculated that Rob Manfred, recently promoted to COO of MLB, could be in line for the top job.
Torre, MLB's executive vice president, has also come up as the next possible commish.
"If they ask me to do something for the game, I certainly would listen," Torre said. "But I have no aspiration to be commissioner, based on my age. It's just reality. I'm very comfortable working there, I have a significant job, and I don't have a great deal of stress in my job. That feels pretty good."
Meanwhile, Torre hopes baseball's expanded instant-replay system will be ready next season.
"We're not totally ready yet. We're getting closer and closer," Torre said. "I'm pretty hopeful we'll have it set for next year."
Managers would be allowed one challenge over the first six innings of a game and two from the seventh inning until conclusion.
Balls and strikes would not be reviewable, and challenged calls would be settled at MLB headquarters in New York after replays are viewed.
The issue of expanded replay came up during this series in the ninth inning of Game 2, which the Braves won 4-3.
Dodgers pinch-runner Dee Gordon attempted to steal second base. Gordon thought he was successful, but Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons scooped up the ball on a throw from catcher Gerald Laird and made the tag in one motion.
"I saw everything they showed me on TV and I know people were back in New York looking at stuff," Torre said. "They were not sure that when he caught the ball the glove didn't graze the uniform and then he reached back for him because he may not have known he tagged him (Gordon)."
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