Apparently, Fox Sports tried to get him in the booth for the World Series:
NEW YORK — Joe Torre’s next job could have been World Series analyst.
Torre declined an offer from FOX Sports to call the World Series alongside lead announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver, SI.com has learned. FOX Sports president Ed Goren called Torre’s agent, Maury Gostfrand, on Friday night to inquire if his client was interested in joining the network for the World Series. Gostfrand called Goren on Saturday to decline the offer.
“His agent called us back today and let us know that Joe was flattered to be asked but respectfully declined because he has made some family commitments,” said FOX Sports spokesman Dan Bell. “We completely understand and will go with Joe and Tim in the booth for the World Series
A good move, I think. Given all the press this week, if Torre had been on the air during the World Series talk would have drifted, inevitably, to the Yankees; and he probably doesn’t want to talk about that much right now. However, if Torre doesn’t end up in a dugout somewhere in 2008, he’ll probably be in the broadcast booth for someone:
Torre is known to be close with both Buck and McCarver, who was Torre’s Cardinals teammate and roommate in 1973 and 1974. Buck has known Torre since he was a tyke running around the Cardinals clubhouse. Buck’s father, Jack, called Cardinals games during Torre’s career in St. Louis.
TBS would also be a logical destination for Torre. In addition to its postseason schedule next year, TBS will carry a league-wide package of 26 Sunday afternoon games.
The fun days would be when he’s calling a Yankee game, of course.
