Legends of the 715: Joe Torre

We all know Joe Torre as a hall of fame and 4-time World Series winning manager for the New York Yankees during their dominant run between 1996-2007. But did you know that one of the best managers in MLB history got his start in Eau Claire?

When you think of Eau Claire baseball, Hank Aaron and Bob Uecker are the first two icons many bring up. But Joe Torre belongs in that conversation as well.

Torre followed in his brother Frank’s footsteps in playing baseball for the Eau Claire Bears, who were a a Class A minor league affiliate for the Milwaukee Braves. In his first season, he won the 1960 Northern League batting championship with a .344 batting average.

Joe would go on to have a solid career, playing from 1960-1977. He finished his career with a batting average of .297 and over 2000 hits and over 200 home runs. He also won the 1971 NL MVP and a Gold Glove in 1965. But it was his career as a manager that made him a hall of famer. He managed the New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished his managerial career with 2,326 wins and four World Series championships, all with those dominate Yankees teams.

And to think one of the most successful people in Major League Baseball history got their start playing baseball at Carson Park in Eau Claire.