Joe Torre

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Torre's arrival in Queens came on October 13, 1974, when the Cardinals traded him alongside Ray Sadecki and Tommy Moore. In 1975, he made history at Shea Stadium not just with his bat, but with a unique defensive blunder: becoming the third player in Major League history to hit into four double plays in a single game. With Felix Millán singling in all four of Torre's at-bats ahead of him, Torre quipped at the post-game press conference, 'I'd like to thank Felix Millán for making this possible.' This moment captured his self-deprecating humor during a season where his batting average dipped to .247. As the 1976 season unfolded, Torre split time between third base and catching, eventually taking over as manager in 1977 while still active on the roster. He served briefly as the Mets' player-manager before retiring as a player, ending a playing career that included nine All-Star selections and a National League MVP award.

In Their Own Story

The 1977 season marked a turning point for Torre, transforming him from a veteran hitter into a leader in the dugout. After qualifying for the playoffs just once while managing the Mets, Braves, and Cardinals earlier in his career—specifically leading the Braves to the 1982 NL West title before losing in the NLCS—he found his greatest success later with the Yankees. However, his tenure with the Mets established his managerial style. From 1975 through his retirement as a player in 1977, he navigated the complexities of leading former teammates. His time in New York was part of a broader journey that included stints with the Braves and Cardinals before returning to manage the Dodgers later. In 2014, this entire body of work earned him election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Torre played for the Mets from 1975 until his retirement as a player in 1977. During these years, he served primarily at third base and occasionally behind the plate. He became the team's manager in 1977, acting as a player-manager before fully stepping away from playing duties. His managerial record with the Mets was modest compared to his later success; he led the team to only one playoff appearance across his tenures with New York (as well as Atlanta and St. Louis). Despite this, his role was significant in developing his management philosophy. Torre's career totals include 2,342 hits as a player and 2,326 wins as a manager, making him the only major leaguer to achieve both milestones. He later managed the Yankees from 1996 to 2007, winning four World Series titles.

Did You Know?

• Torre became the third player in MLB history to hit into four double plays in a single game while with the Mets in 1975.
• He served as the Mets' first player-manager in 1977 before retiring from playing.
• Torre is the only major leaguer to record at least 2,000 hits as a player and 2,000 wins as a manager.
• Jack Kerouac called Torre 'the best catcher since Roy Campanella' in an article for the St. Petersburg Independent.