Torre, Mattingly to attend ceremony for Steinbrenner
Manager Joe Torre (L) and coach Don Mattingly of the Los Angeles Dodgers attend a press conference announcing that Mattingly will manage the Dodgers in 2011 after Torre retires at Dodger Stadium on September 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Getty/Lisa Blumenfeld
BALTIMORE - The feud is over.
Joe Torre will make his first appearance at new Yankee Stadium Monday night as the team unveils a monument in Monument Park for late owner George Steinbrenner.
Torre, who announced Friday that he is stepping down as Dodgers manager, will fly cross country to New York from Los Angeles with former Yankees great Don Mattingly, his replacement as Dodgers manager.
Both will attend the ceremony honoring Steinbrenner before the Yankees-Rays series opener. The Dodgers, who hosted Colorado Sunday, have a day off before the Padres visit Dodger Stadium Tuesday. "Joe and Donnie will both be there," Dodgers vice president of communications Josh Rawitch said.
Torre has been persona non grata in the Bronx since leaving the team following acrimonious contract negotiations after the 2007 season and writing a tell-all book, "The Yankee Years."
But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman signaled a thaw Friday when he said of Torre, "He's welcome at any time."
Apparently, the time is now.
The Yankees extended an offer to Torre, their four-time World Series-winning former manager, and Mattingly, their beloved former first baseman. Both accepted.
"I think it's good that they'll get the opportunity to come back to the stadium," Derek Jeter said. "I'm sure they'll be well-received by everyone. I know Mr. Steinbrenner's meant a lot to both of their careers."
Said Andy Pettitte: "It'll be a great thing for this organization and for Joe, for sure, because he ought to be a part of this organization for a long time."
Steinbrenner's monument will be the seventh at Yankee Stadium. The others are for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, manager Miller Huggins and the victims and rescue workers of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Mattingly, who lost out as Torre's replacement to Joe Girardi, has a plaque in Monument Park. His No. 23 is retired.
Before Torre left, it was assumed he would one day have his No. 6 retired and a plaque at Yankee Stadium.
Tonight's ceremony is expected to begin at 7 p.m.
