Joe Torre introduced as Team USA skipper for 2013 World Baseball Classic; talks Derek Jeter and A-Rod

It goes without saying that Joe Torre would like to have one more chance to manage Derek Jeter in next year's World Baseball Classic, but the former Yankees skipper said Thursday that he wouldn't have a problem reuniting with Alex Rodriguez, either.
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Torre was officially introduced as Team USA's new manager during a conference call Thursday.
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Torre appeared on a Yahoo! Sports show a couple weeks ago and discussed his time with A-Rod in pinstripes, taking what many perceived as a shot at the third baseman.
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"He was concerned with putting numbers up, and that really wasn't what we were all about," Torre said during the interview. "We were about winning games; that was the only statistic that was important for us. Alex, in his defense, he just felt if he put certain numbers, that the wins would take care of themselves. I think he put pressure on himself."
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Torre made a point to speak with A-Rod during a recent trip to Yankee Stadium, making sure there was no problem between them as Torre believed he "never said anything negative" about A-Rod.
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Rodriguez played for the U.S. in the first WBC back in 2006, then suited up for the Dominican Republic three years ago. It remains to be seen whether A-Rod will even be asked ? third base has become a deep position with stars such as Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre and David Wright ? to play in the WBC, but Torre said he would have no problem managing his former third baseman.
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"I don't think there's any issue with the two of us," Torre said. "If that situation presented itself and I felt I wanted to go that way, I certainly wouldn't hesitate to ask him. I hope if I did that he wouldn't have any hesitation in accepting."
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Jeter has played in each of the first two WBC events, and although he'll be 38 next February, it's difficult to imagine the U.S. fielding a roster without the future Hall of Famer who has served as the sport's top ambassador.
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"Derek is special," Torre said. "Everything he does, he only does one way, which is to go out there, do the best he can and try to win a ballgame."
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Davey Johnson managed Team USA in the 2009 WBC, returning to the majors two years later as the Nationals manager. Torre stressed that his decision to manage in next year's WBC has nothing to do with his desire to return to the majors, as he is content with his position as Executive VP for Baseball Operations.
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"Managing a big league ballclub is certainly a commitment 12 months a year," Torre said. "This is an opportunity that, once it was presented, I felt honored by. I have no ambition to audition for another job. I'm pretty satisfied with the fact that I'm still in baseball but I don't have to stay up at night concerning myself with did we win or lose?"

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