Joe Torre

They only have to satisfy the guys in the lockers next to them.

You know, the fans are important.

There's no question.

Media, you know, they are necessary.

But, you know, the guy in the locker next to them are the only ones that know how hard it is to do what they do.

And, you know, and I always judge players not on results but on their effort and their preparation and their desire to play the game.

So even though my boss, George Steinbrenner, was disappointed a time or two, it was hard for me to swallow knowing how hard these players worked.

So, you know, to me,

I always tried to make these players accountable to each other, and the only thing that satisfied me is a good effort and preparation.

It sort of simplified things.

I tried to keep the distractions out of the clubhouse.

Well, they keep popping up sooner or later, you know.

But you know what?

It didn't bother me a bit because I was so thrilled to get this opportunity.

I know even my brother Frank said, are you nuts?

You realize how many managers George Steinbrenner has hired and fired?

I just felt there was an opportunity to manage for an organization that was going to be out there trying to win, trying to give you players.

I was going to find out if I could manage or not.

And, you know, again, I was blessed with some pretty special players.

I mean, Jeter being...