The Yankees won again last night and Joe Torre reached a milestone:
CHICAGO, June 7 ? Joe Torre needed six victories to reach 2,000 for his managerial career, and it seemed as if he might not make it. The Yankees were going nowhere last Wednesday, with five losses in a row, so Torre canceled batting practice and benched Bobby Abreu.
The Yankees won that night in Toronto, and now they have won six of eight. Torre captured that 2,000th victory, 10-3, against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. He was helped by a tie-breaking, eighth-inning, two-run double by Abreu, who is batting .480 in June.
?I usually give lineup cards out,? Torre said in his office after the game. ?I keep this one.?
Mariano Rivera gave Torre the game ball after recording the last five outs. Derek Jeter, who rested most of the game, gave Torre a hug and said that Torre seemed emotional.
?I?m happy for him; he deserves it,? Jeter said. ?He?s a Hall of Fame manager, whenever he decides to call it quits. He?s the best.?
Torre became the 10th manager to reach 2,000 victories, and the only one who also had 2,000 hits as a player. Mike Mussina, the starting pitcher, said he hoped Torre, who is unsigned past this season, won many more games with the Yankees.
At this point, the Yankees are three games out of .500 and at least one player thinks they have a chance to win the division.?
