Joe Torre backtracks: ‘It’s up to the individual clubs to police beer in and beer out’
Oct 25, 2011, 12:01 PM EDT
Getty Images It was quite a surprise when Joe Torre said that MLB “would look into” the issue of beer in the clubhouse, following the recent boozy Red Sox revelations. Turns out that Torre meant that quite literally. He’s looking, but will in no way act. MLB’s Executive Director of Baseball Operations is taking a firm states rights approach to the issue, saying that MLB “is interested” in the outcome, but, you know, it’s really up to the individual clubs to police themselves.
Actually, Torre said that he “talked out of my shoes” when he made earlier comments about MLB investigating the issue. Which is a humorous mental image.
Any way Torre’s change of tact has anything to do with him being reminded that beer companies are major sponsors at most MLB parks? Nah.
Torre, on ESPN Radio New York:
“Well the one thing I know is it’s an individual choice for the ball clubs. And I had a conversation because I think I talked out of my shoes last night when I said we’d look into it. We’re interested in it. I probably should have stopped there. It’s basically individual clubs make those decisions, and it’s obvious when you have owners meetings, you certainly let your feelings be heard.
But I’m sort of torn because it’s like anything else — you’d like to have it available if people responded to it and did it in moderation. But you can’t always guarantee that, and then you’re responsible if something goes wrong. It’s even a matter of getting in your car and driving somewhere; that’s the scary part for me. But it is up to…even though we’re interested in it and I said something about this yesterday, it is up to the individual club to police what they do and make the decisions about how they approach the beer in and beer out.”
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Joe Torre on Beer in MLB Clubhouses: “It’s up to the individual club to police what they do and make the decisions.” [Sports Radio Interviews]
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- mogogo1 - Oct 25, 2011 at 3:55 PM
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People who work for MLB should not “talk out of their shoes” during the World Series. The first point in the employee handbook should be to never, ever distract attention from the flagship event.
When MLB hired Torre, I assumed it would be a great move because Selig always seemed so clueless and out-of-touch. Unfortunately, they’re just as bad, if not worse, with Torre on the job. Whether it’s this non-issue that he thought it important to address during the World Series or the debacle where they refused to let the Mets wear FDNY/NYPD hats, he seems to be doing more harm than good.
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- edpeters101 - Oct 25, 2011 at 6:16 PM
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Sounds like Joe is running as a Republican Presidential candidate…
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- skids003 - Oct 28, 2011 at 12:33 PM
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No, he’s trying to be named a “czar” of something, he can make more money working for the Dems like that.
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- ronbo1100 - Oct 25, 2011 at 8:15 PM
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Sad fact is it has no place in the dug out so it should be out of the club house also….. shame on mlb for allowing it to begin with. More than likely its the only sport allowing it. These boys have enough cash to go anywhere……they should go home to their wives and kids instead of fulfilling selfish needs. …………I go to work….I then go home to my wife and help raise my kids……grow up a holes, your making millions to have fun already……..don’t let your wife do all the dirty work….get your ass home.
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- ronbo1100 - Oct 26, 2011 at 6:02 AM
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judging by the thumbs downs we have 6 guys who go to the bar before going home……..sad days indeed.
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- jimeejohnson - Oct 25, 2011 at 9:00 PM
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Beer after the game is not equal to beer during the game, especially low alcohol Bud lite. A couple of light beers with the post game meal is one thing, but pounding all game and afterward is a horse of a different color.
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- ronbo1100 - Oct 25, 2011 at 9:13 PM
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The red sox manager was upset with his players and them drinking too much in the club house…..thats where this whole thing got started. You assume a couple? Your naiive to think so.
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- cbutter - Oct 25, 2011 at 9:24 PM
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OK, so let me see if I have this right…they drink during work…work where they are paid A LOT to DO…wow
