Q: I have a problem with the media and the way you talk up the managers. All I hear is how Joe Torre did a great job by bringing in Mariano Rivera and Bobby Valentine was smart to put on the hit and run. OK, let's get this straight: Managing the local Wal-Mart for 30-grand a year is far harder than saying, "Oh, I'll bat Derek Jeter first tonight." If these guys are so smart, let them manage the Detroit Tigers to the World Series.
Scott Sliger -- Spring Hill, Tenn.

	MANAGERS' MOMENT: Joe Torre shares a laugh with Bobby Valentine. Torre grew up a Giants fan in Brooklyn near Ebbets Field.

Dan Patrick: Look, I am not disparaging any Wal-Mart store managers. They have difficult jobs and certainly face pressure to perform well.

But if there's a spill in aisle four, three people know about it. In Joe Torre's job, he is scrutinized before, during and after he makes a decision. And the whole country finds out if he makes a mistake. The difference in stress levels is huge.

If Torre managed the Tigers next year, as you suggest, the pressure there would be different as well. He would only be expected to improve the team.

In New York, he will be expected to make a serious run at another ring. They may be old and they will overhaul that roster a bit, but I bet you that George Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman will feel pretty good about their roster by April.

They'll expect Torre to take them pretty far. Heck, Torre himself will expect a lot. He knows the deal.

Joe Torre's Yankees have won four of the last five World Series and three in a row. His teams are 16-3 in the World Series. And I feel he did his best job this year.

There were injuries and inconsistent regular-season play from key players like Ramiro Mendoza, Chuck Knoblauch, Tino Martinez, Denny Neagle and David Cone. The whole team was certainly distracted by the health problems of pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre.

The Yankees stumbled into the postseason by losing their last seven games. They had only 87 regular-season wins. It looked like their run was over. They were not expected to beat the A's or Mariners. Many in New York picked the Mets, too.

But Torre managed his roster and bullpen wonderfully in these five games with the Mets. And he kept his team focused and ready to play once the playoffs started.

So you want to know why you've heard Joe Torre talked up so much this October? He managed his way into the Hall of Fame the last two weeks, that's why.