WHAT I LEARNED FROM JOE TORRE

Before I moved to New York, I had no interest in spectator sports. I thought sports events were just an excuse to drink a lot of alcohol, and blow off some steam with friends, in a venue where you were certain to be either freezing or fried. I still hate football and boxing (I don't enjoy watching people make orthopedic surgeons and neurologists rich, via testosterone-fueled primal shoving/slugging matches).

Yes, I read Betty Harragan's astounding book, Games Your Mother Never Taught You. And despite being a klutz, I always managed to get on the B team for each season's sport at Notre Dame Belmont high school. So I "got" the "There's no 'I' in Team" propaganda.

But I didn't understand the real power of sports, and specifically baseball, until I arrived in New York in 1998. And it's because of Joe Torre that I now understand why baseball is so important. How it is a social glue, a lubricant, a steam vent, a unifier, a common denominator, how it is flat-out primal fun. And how it teaches life lessons.

Yeah, yeah. I'm late to the party. But until I became a New York Yankees fan I just didn't get beyond the bland pablum happy talk and Kevin Costner-isms.  

Now I get it. Over the last decade, I've come to see the nuances in all the metaphors. And to understand that those life lessons aren't just clichés. Joe Torre and the Yankees taught me about -- yes -- the role of teamwork as well as individual accomplishments. About business. About success. About failure. About diversity. About hard work. About seredipity and superstition. About rally squirrels and monkeys. About second, and third chances. About not taking "no" for an answer. About accepting things that are out of your control. About free agency. About friendship. About bonds. (And Bonds.) About patience. About bad luck. About hope. About lucky streaks and slumps. About never giving up. About 2 down, 2 outs, 2 strikes, bottom of the 9th wins. About heartbreaking 13th inning losses. About 13 runs in an inning. About Aura & Mystique. About grace. About bullies. About loud and quiet. About today. About the Big Show. About being mired in the minors. About improbability. About getting the 27th out. About never forgetting to praise your competitors, especially when you win. About "We just need to win today's game." About generosity. About humility. About courage. About family. About magic. About "we." About dignity. 

Thank you, Joe Torre, for showing us a road map, an owner's manual, to this life. I've had many remarkable teachers, but none stronger than you. You have stood up to bullies, small and looming, at home and at work. You have inspired quietly, chastized in a whisper, you say just the right thing at just the right time. You correctly assess who needs a push and who needs a pat. You are a true leader. As good ol' Dr. Phil says, "We teach people how to treat us." Boy did you teach yesterday.

You showed all of us how to pick our battles, stand tall, and quietly demand respect. You walk away with class and dignity.

I'm sure it's not the last lesson we'll learn from you. But thank you.

Photo: The New York Times slide show

Update: A petition drive is happening. Sign it here to keep Joe.