Torre: AL Manager Of The Year

Joe Torre was overwhelmingly voted AL Manager of the Year Thursday after leading the New York Yankees to one of the most successful seasons in baseball history.

Torre, who tied Texas' Johnny Oates for the award two years ago, got 23 first-place votes, four seconds and one third for 128 points in voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Boston's Jimy Williams was a distant second with three firsts, 12 seconds and eight thirds for 59 points, and Anaheim's Terry Collins was third with two firsts, seven seconds and seven thirds for 38 points.

Oates was fourth with 11 points, followed Cleveland's Mike Hargrove (8). Toronto's Tim Johnson was tied for sixth with Chicago's Jerry Manuel (4 each).

Torre, who led the Yankees to their second World Series title in three seasons, also won The Associated Press Manager of the Year award last week.

"During the season we went through, you have one purpose in mind - to win the World Series," Torre said then. "All of a sudden, the awards come along and it's like a cherry on top of a great season. I was just along for the ride."

"When you get to the All-Star break with 61 wins, you realize this has a chance to be a pretty damn good team," Torre said. "I was cautious because it's hard to hold the edge that long. It's a manager's job to always be concerned and cautious and never look too far forward."

New York finished the regular season 114-48, setting an AL record for wins. The Yankees went 11-2 in the postseason, capping the year by sweeping the San Diego Padres in the World Series. At 125-50, they had the most combined regular and postseason wins ever.

"I don't care how good you are, to win as many games as we won is an incredible accomplishment," Torre said.

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