Yankees Playoff Exit May End Torre Era

New York Yankees manager Joe Torre watches from the dugout against the Cleveland Indians during Game 4 of an American League Division Series baseball game Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (Kathy Willens - AP)

Torre's last fateful decision could end up being the choice to pitch Chien-Ming Wang on three days' rest in Game 4 after he was roughed up in the opener following a longer-than-normal layoff.

With extra rest, Wang's sinker didn't sink in Cleveland. On short rest, his sinker didn't sink in the Bronx.

Now, the Yankees are sunk _ and maybe Torre, too.

"Let's see what happens in the next few days," he said. "Whatever comes next, if I have some options, I'll look at it. I'm not ready to move somewhere and not do anything."

With the season on the line, Wang gave up Grady Sizemore's leadoff homer and never recovered. He got only three outs in the shortest start of his career, allowing four runs and five hits.

Torre tried to stop the siege with a quick hook, yanking Wang with the bases loaded and nobody out in the second inning for Mike Mussina, whom Torre pulled from the rotation in September and passed over for the Game 4 start.

But Mussina couldn't keep it close enough, and the Yankees went out with a whimper.

Mussina was one of several Yankees who backed Torre to the end.

"Joe Torre's the best manager in baseball. It's not his fault," catcher Jorge Posada said. "He doesn't throw or hit on the field. He keeps us positive and gets us to win."

Even that might not be enough.