Thursday, April 16, 2020

New Rochelle: Home to Baseball Hall of Famers - Joe Torre



Born in Brooklyn in 1940, Joe Torre followed in the footsteps of his brother Frank, signing with the Atlanta Braves right out of high school. Torre became one of the best hitting backstops in the game, peaking with 36 home runs in 1966. He earned a Gold Glove Award in 1965. Torre went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969 and the Mets in 1974. He was a catched as well as both a first and third basemen. He was named Most Valuable Player in the National League in 1971 and was a nine-time All-Star.

He made his managerial debut on May 31, 1977, when he became the first player-manager in the majors since 1959. He became the Mets full-time skipper eighteen days later. In 1982, Torre was named AP Manager of the Year for leading the Braves to a division title. After managing the Cardinals, 1990 - 1996, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hired Torre as his team's manager. As the 31st manager in Yankees team history, he joined Casey Stengel, Yogi Berra and Dallas Green as the fourth skipper to wear both Yankee and New York Mets uniforms. Torre's Yankees made the playoffs every year under his tenure. He led the Yankees to 6 World Series appearances during the 12 year span, winning 4 World Series Championships. The 2000 title was the 26th overall for the Yankees, the most of any team in professional sports.

In 2008, Joe was hired by the Dodgers, where in 2010 he ended his career as a player and manager. From 1982 to 1984, he worked in the broadcast booth and in 2011, began his career as a baseball executive in the Commissioner's office.

The Yankees retired Joe's uniform number 6 on "Joe Torre Day," August 23, 2014, and honored him with a plaque in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. In 2014, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joe and his wife, Ali, first moved to Westchester in March 1996, when they rented a large 1980s home at 60 Premium Point Road, located in a gated waterfront neighborhood. When asked by Westchester Magazine if it was a difficult move, Ali Torre responded, "It was a big adjustment for me, since I grew up in Cincinnati. But we moved into New Rochelle and we just befriended so many great people...We were very fortunate to meet a lot of great people through that experience." After winning the 1996 World Series, the Torres bought a home in Harrison. 

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