When Joe Torre took the job as manager of the New York Yankees in 1996, he was expected to last no more than a year or two. After all, he was just another in the long line of managers employed by megalomania cal owner George Steinbrenner. 

Torre's World Series wins 2000 Yankees 4-1 Mets1999 Yankees 4-0 Braves1998 Yankees 4-0 Padres1996 Yankees 4-2 Braves After all; Steinbrenner is not a patient man. In his 23 years as Yankees owner, he had already changed managers 19 times. 

And Terre’s managerial record to that point was less than impressive. In 14 previous seasons as manager of the Mets, Braves and Cardinals, Torre had only led one team to the play-offs, the 1982 Atlanta Braves. But a funny thing happened in Torre's first year at the helm of the Yankees. They finished first in their division, breezed through the American League play-offs and won the World Series 4-2 against the Braves. 

Torre had survived his first season under Steinbrenner. Quiet and calm, Torre exudes confidence. In fact, Steinbrenner actually seemed to like Torre, so much so that when Cleveland beat the Yankees in the AL play-offs the next year, Steinbrenner showed rare restraint and refrained from sacking him. Keeping Torre around proved to be a brilliant decision. 

Since 1997, the Yankees have finished top of their division every year and won three consecutive World Series titles. Torre has shown himself to be a top-class manager, adept at handling all the things that come with the Yankee job - the constant pressure from Steinbrenner, the intense scrutiny of the New York media and the host of superstar egos in his locker room. As a game day manager, Torre is as good as they come. Quiet and calm to the point of looking sedated in the dugout, he exudes an infectious confidence. 

By returning the Yankees to their status as baseball's best team and perennial World Series champions, Torre has assured himself a place in history alongside the great Yankees managers of the past.

Topics: Torre’s Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks and Success, A Life in baseball

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