In a stunning move, Joe Torre ended his 12-year tenure today as New York Yankees manager—which included four World Series titles—by turning down a new contract that would have cut his salary to $5 million from the $7 million he made in 2007. The one-year offer for 2008 would have included as much as $3 million in playoff incentives.
Torre flew to Florida this morning with hardball on his mind: he spent one hour in the meeting, gave his answer, and flew home, the New York Times reports."[I[t is now time for the New York Yankees to move forward, and we will be doing it very quickly,” team President Randy Levine said about naming a successor. (More New York Yankees stories.)