Fastball

Legendary Manager Joe Torre Makes Return at New York Yankees Spring Training Game

Carlos Rodón tossed 5.2 no-hit innings in the New York Yankees' game against the Philadelphia Phillies before Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre gave him the hook.
Sam Connon|
Legendary Manager Joe Torre Makes Return at New York Yankees Spring Training Game
Legendary Manager Joe Torre Makes Return at New York Yankees Spring Training Game

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New York Yankees

New York Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodón was mowing down the Philadelphia Phillies left and right Monday afternoon at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.

The veteran had carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, and he didn't let it die there, either. Rodón got another two outs, bringing his number of no-hit frames up to 5.2.

Given that it was a Spring Training contest, though, Rodón was not given the chance to go the distance.

But instead of manager Aaron Boone coming out to give Rodón the hook, a different – albeit familiar – face brought the lefty's day to a close.

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre came marching out of the dugout to meet Rodón and call for a pitching change. The crowd erupted and gave a standing ovation – some of which was to honor Rodón's gem and the rest was to recognize Torre.

The nine-time All-Star, two-time Manager of the Year and Baseball Hall of Famer was wearing his full Yankees uniform when he spoke to Rodón on the mound. The rest of the infielders had smiles plastered across their faces after Torre took the ball from Rodón and called for right-hander Ian Hamilton to relieve him.

Torre was the leading man in New York's clubhouse from 1996 to 2007, winning six AL pennants and four World Series titles during his time in the Bronx. After a brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, he served as MLB's chief baseball officer from 2011 to 2020.

The 83-year-old Torre had recently stopped by as a guest instructor for the Yankees at their Spring Training facilities.

New York went on to defeat Philadelphia 4-3 with Torre in the dugout, halting a 1-5 stretch in Grapefruit League play in the process.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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