Joe Torre

Joe Torre is Major League Baseball's Special Assistant to the Commissioner. He was appointed to the role in February 2020 by Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr.

Torre was previously MLB's Chief Baseball Officer, overseeing areas that include Major League Operations, On-Field Operations, On-Field Discipline and Umpiring. He was appointed to that role by Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig on February 26, 2011, Torre was the Office of the Commissioner's primary liaison to the general managers and field managers of the 30 Major League Clubs and the Major League Umpires regarding all baseball and on-field matters. From December 2009, he served on Commissioner Selig's Special Committee for On-Field Matters. He also was a key part of the sub-committee on the expansion of instant replay for the 2014 season.

Torre is the Chairman of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation, which he and his wife, Ali, launched in 2002. The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation's mission is to develop educational programs that will 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. Currently reaching children in nine schools and two community centers in New York and New Jersey, Margaret's Place, a tribute to Joe's mother, Margaret, provides middle and high school students with a "safe room," in which they can talk to each other and to a professional counselor trained in domestic violence intervention and prevention about violence-related issues. In 2010, Torre was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women.

On December 9, 2013, the National Baseball Hall of Fame announced that its Expansion Era Committee had unanimously elected Torre as a part of its Class of 2014 inductees. Torre was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, July 27 in Cooperstown, New York.

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 2009. 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, Torre managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 1990-95. Overall, Torre led Major League teams as a manager across 29 seasons. He also led Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Torre ranks fifth all-time in managerial wins with 2,326. In 1982 and 1998, he was named Manager of the Year by the Associated Press. In 1996 and 1998, 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 18-year playing career (first/third baseman, catcher) with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cardinals and Mets, Torre compiled a lifetime .297 batting average, had 2,342 hits, 252 home runs and 1,185 RBI, and hit over .300 five times. He was a nine-time All-Star and the National League's 1971 Most Valuable Player while a member of the Cardinals, batting .363 with 230 hits, 24 home runs and a league-leading 137 RBI.

In April 2011, Torre was honored at the Ellis Island Family Heritage Awards, which celebrate exemplary Ellis Island/Port of New York immigrants or their descendants who have made a major contribution to the American experience. Joe's mother, Margaret, emigrated from Salerno, Italy through Ellis Island in 1911.

Torre is the co-author of three books: The Yankee Years (Doubleday 2009); Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks and Success (Hyperion 1999); and Chasing the Dream: My Lifelong Journey to the World Series (Bantam 1997, 1998). The Hall of Famer was born on July 18, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York. He, Ali and their daughter, Andrea, currently live in New York. His three adult children are Michael, Cristina and Lauren.