Joe Torre to Step Down: Top Five Lowest Points of His Managerial Career

Joe Torre is undoubtedly one of the most successful managers in sports history. Starting as a manager for the Yankees in 1996, Torre went on to manage the team for 12 straight years, bringing them to the playoffs in each year. Also add in four championships.

At the end of the 2007 season, Joe Girardi took over as the Yankees manager, and Torre went on to manage the Dodgers. Three years later, he has announced that he will be stepping down as manager of the Dodgers in 2011, and will hand over the job to Don Mattingly.

Here are the top five lowest points of Joe Torre's illustrious career.

The Infamous Bug Game

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 05: Gnats (bugs) swarn the mound as manager Joe Torre #6 of the New York Yankees talks with relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain #62 as his teammates try to swat the insects away against the Cleveland Indians during Game Two of the America

During the ALDS in 2007, Torre's last year as manager, the Yankees played in one of the most peculiar games in sports history. In Cleveland, the Yankees were in a tight game with the Indians, only before a cloud of bugs swarmed onto the field. Bug spray and good will couldn't help as Joba Chamberlain threw a blind wild pitch, allowing the Indians to score a crucial run. The Yankees went on to lose that series, and Joe Torre will forever be criticized for letting his team stay on the field.

2004 ALCS

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: Pedro Martinez #45 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the New York Yankees 10-3 to win game seven of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City.

Not much needs to be said for this one. With the Yankees leading three games to none in the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox got tough and won the next four games to win the American League pennant. They went on to win their first World Series in 86 years.

2001 World Series Game 7

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

4 Nov 2001: Jay Bell #48 of the Arizona Diamondbacks is met at home plate by teammate Matt Williams #9 as he scores the winning run in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees during game seven of the Major League Baseball World Series at Bank One Ba

In one of the most exciting and emotional World Series in history, the Yankees lost a tough game to the Diamondbacks in game 7 of the World Series. Mariano Rivera will forever be known for the famous missed throw to second base on a crucial double play, and New York will forever be frustrated over a precious series slipped away.

2007 Off-Season Negotiations

Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 9: (L-R) Diana Taylor, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Joe Torre, Derek Jeter and Andy Dover attend Joe Torre's Safe at Home 5th Annual Gala on November 9, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Possibly the most sadening moment in Joe Torre's career was the last moment. After back and forth negotiations, the Yankees failed to give Torre the years and money that he wanted. It was seen as a sign of disrespect to a man that brought so much to this organization, and that will forever be the last memory Yankee fans have of Mr. Torre.

The Yankee Years

Even after Joe Torre left the Bronx, the drama continued. Torre teamed up with Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci to write a book about Torre's stint with the New York Yankees. The book was filled with defaming stories of former players, most notably Alex Rodriguez. The book spoke about how players made fun of Rodriguez and criticized him behind his back. The book tainted many people's view of the former Yankees' manager, especially that of Rodriguez.