CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Joe Torre
Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, MLB (Hall of Fame Class of 2014)
Joe Torre was named Major League Baseball's Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations on Feb. 26, 2011. In this capacity, he oversees areas that include Major League Operations, On-Field Operations, On-Field Discipline and Umpiring. He serves as the Office of the Commissioner's primary liaison to the general managers and field managers of the 30 Major League clubs regarding all baseball and on-field matters.
Since December 2009, he has served on Commissioner Selig's Special Committee for On-Field Matters. Torre is also Chairman of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, which he and his wife, Ali, launched in 2002. In 2010, Torre was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.
In the fall of 2010, Torre concluded his third and final season as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, whom he led to the National League Championship Series in 2008 and '09. Previously, he spent 12 seasons as manager of the New York Yankees (1996-2007), guiding them to the postseason every year, including six World Series appearances and four World Championships (1996, 1998-2000).
Torre made his managerial debut with the New York Mets on May 31, 1977, becoming the first player-manager in the majors since 1959. He managed the Mets until 1981 and the Atlanta Braves from 1982-84. After spending nearly six seasons as a television broadcaster for the California Angels, he managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 1990-95.
Torre ranks fifth all-time in managerial wins with 2,326. In 1982 and '98, he was named Manager of the Year by The Associated Press. In 1996 and '98, the Baseball Writers Association of America named him American League Manager of the Year and, in 1996, The Sporting News named him Sportsman of the Year. He won ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Manager/Coach of the Year in 1997, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
During his 17-year playing career (first/third baseman, catcher) with the Braves, Cardinals and Mets, Torre compiled a lifetime .297 batting average, had 2,342 hits, 252 home runs and 1,185 RBIs, and hit over .300 five times. He was a nine-time All-Star and the National League's 1971 Most Valuable Player, batting .363 with 230 hits, 24 home runs and a league-leading 137 RBIs.
The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation's mission is educating to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives. Since its inception, the Foundation has educated thousands of students, parents, teachers and school faculty about the devastating effects of domestic violence. Margaret's Place, a "safe room" within the Foundation's 12 active programs in New York, New Jersey and Los Angeles, is a tribute to his mother, providing middle and high school students with a place to talk to each other and to a master's level counselor trained in domestic violence prevention and intervention. The comprehensive model includes individual and group counseling, school-wide anti-violence curriculum and campaigns, and peer leadership training.
Torre is the co-author of three books: The Yankee Years (Doubleday 2009); Chasing the Dream: My Lifelong Journey to the World Series (Bantam 1997, 1998); and Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks and Success (Hyperion 1999).
In April 2011, Torre was honored at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, held in the Great Hall at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. The Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards are presented by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. to celebrate exemplary Ellis Island/Port of New York immigrants or their descendents who have made a major contribution to the American experience. Past recipients at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards have come from the worlds of politics, business, science, education, music, entertainment and sports, including Bob Hope, Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, Colin Powell, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld and Martin Scorsese. Two other baseball figures, Hall of Famers Yogi Berra and Tommy Lasorda, are past honorees.
Torre was born on July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. He, Ali and their daughter, Andrea, live in Beverly Hills, California. His three adult children are Michael, Cristina and Lauren.
