Yankees Fans Differ on their Joe's

There's no question that there is tremendous pressure on Joe Girardi this season to deliver a World Championship. With the additions of CC Sabatha, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees are expected to go from also-rans to title holders. At least on paper anyway.

Girardi already had enormous pressure last season when he replaced Joe Torre, who held the reigns and brought home 4 World Series rings in 12 years. A team with more talent naturally brings more expectations.

Matt Gagne provided an unbalanced view in today's Daily News as to who Yankees fans would rather have managing this season - Joe Girardi or Joe Torre. Gagne spoke with fans at one of Torre's book signings in the city.

Think about it? If you are there to get a signed copy of "The Yankee Years", it's for 1 or 2 reasons. You either still support Joe Torre and/or you just want to meet him even if you don't necessarily like the idea of the book or think he was overrated as a manager.

Most of those Gagne spoke to said they would trust Torre over Girardi with this year's team. One fan even went as far as to say the team wouldn't make the playoffs (maybe it was really a Mets fan).

But a more accurate and telling survey is the Daily News poll open to all online readers. Torre still comes out ahead, but just by a 52% - 48% margin. And you can bet much of that is based on Torre taking LA to the playoffs last season while the Yankees missed out for the first time since 1993.

Perhaps we should all just wait and see what happens. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with supporting both Torre and Girardi, despite what the pundits might say.

photo courtesy of AP