There was Jim Leyritz’s game-tying, three-run home run in Game 4 of the World Series off Mark Wohlers. Andy Pettitte’s Game 5 gem. Most Valuable Player John Wetteland’s four saves.
All were key to the Yankees’ 1996 World Series crown, but the man calling the shots in the dugout is what eventually was the deciding factor in the memorable six-game victory over the Braves, according to Wetteland.
“I’ve always said I think Joe Torre won the World Series because he just out-managed Bobby Cox,” the former closer said during the 70th annual Old-Timers’ Day — his first — at the Stadium Sunday afternoon before the Yankees fell to the Tigers 4-1 to conclude their three-game series in The Bronx. “I think their bench was 0-for-21 in that series. Joe always seemed to have the matchup at any part of the game he wanted. It was a big advantage for us.
“Also, the spirit in which he managed. It was always so cool and collected. I think that all rubbed off on us.”
When told of Wetteland’s comments, Torre credited his players and said his experience managing in the National League paid off. That championship, more than his other three titles with the Yankees, he remembers the most fondly.
“Let’s put it this way: I always wear that ring when I wear a World Series ring,” he said.
It was a magical, though trying, season. The Yankees were hardly favorites to be the last team standing, particularly after the starting middle infield of second baseman Pat Kelly and shortstop Tony Fernandez was injured during spring training. But utility man Mariano Duncan replaced Fernandez at second base and batted a career-high .340, while a rookie named Derek Jeter more than filled the void at shortstop en route to Rookie of the Year honors.
They lost starting pitcher David Cone for several months with an aneurysm in his right armpit, new first baseman Tino Martinez had difficulty replacing retired fan-favorite Don Mattingly early on and they nearly blew a 12-game lead to the Orioles in the AL East. The Yankees lost the opener of the ALDS to the Rangers and the first two games of the World Series to the Braves, only to rally for the franchise’s first title since 1978, one season after the heartbreaking ALDS loss to the Mariners.
“1996 was a redemption story for a lot of us,” Cone said.
Duncan was credited for coining the phrase: “We play today, we win today, das it.” He made up T-shirts, too, which many of the Yankees wore underneath their uniforms. But he said Jeter should get credit for it, too.
“One day, he passed by my locker. He goes, ‘Hey, Mariano, we play today.’ I go, ‘We win today … das it,’ ” Duncan recalled with a smile. “Every single day before the game started, we used to say that.”
“Since Day 1 we started the season, we started believing in ourselves, believing nobody [could beat us]. When you believe in yourself and do what you’re supposed to do on the field, a lot of good things can happen, and that’s exactly what happened in ’96.”
Hideki Matsui produced the highlight of the Old-Timers’ game, blasting a home run into the second deck in right field off Cone. Matsui, in good shape, looked like he still could play.
“These kinds of games, it’s fun, but playing seriously is a different story,” said Matsui, who turned 42 on Sunday. “I’d probably last not even one game before going on the DL.”
There were five Hall-of-Famers on hand: Torre, Goose Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson and Whitey Ford. … The Core Four of Pettitte, Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada didn’t attend, but they are expected to be at the Stadium on Aug. 13 when the 1996 team is honored. … Bernie Williams and Paul O’Neill hit home runs during batting practice. …. In the first Old-Timers’ Day since Yogi Berra’s death, the team honored his memory with special “Yogi Berra” bases and commemorative baseballs used during the game.