Joe Torre Becomes 17th Member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame Board of Directors
From the offices of the Baseball Hall of Fame
COOPERSTOWN – Joe Torre was appointed to the Board of Directors for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, bringing the total number of directors to 17 for the nonprofit educational institution.
“Joe Torre’s seven-decade career in baseball – as an All-Star player, Hall of Fame manager and revered member of baseball’s leadership team – has made him a singularly respected voice of our National Pastime, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Museum’s Board of Directors,” said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Since his induction in 2014, Joe’s passion and dedication to the Hall of Fame has been steadfast, and his knowledge and insight will help guide the Museum into its future.”
Born July 18, 1940, in Brooklyn, Torre signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959. A little more than a year later, he was in the big leagues. By 1963, Torre had earned the full-time job behind the plate in Milwaukee and was named to the first of nine All-Star Games.
Torre won the 1971 National League Most Valuable Player Award with the Cardinals and finished his playing career with a .297 batting average, 252 home runs and 2,342 hits. He managed the Mets for five seasons starting in 1977 and later skippered the Braves and Cardinals. Then following the 1995 season, Torre took over as manager of the Yankees, leading New York to four World Series titles from 1996 to 2000. The Yankees qualified for the Postseason in each of Torre’s 12 seasons as manager, winning 10 AL East titles and six AL pennants to go along with the four World Series championships.
After 12 seasons as manager of the Yankees, Torre skippered the Dodgers for three years from 2008 to 2010, leading L.A. to two NL West crowns. His final total of 2,326 wins ranks fifth all-time, and his four World Series wins are tied for fourth.
Following his managerial career, Torre joined Major League Baseball’s front office, where he served in several roles as one of baseball’s most trusted voices. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014.
“It is a great privilege to join the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors,” Torre said. “Baseball has been my life, and I know well what Cooperstown means to our game and its loyal fans. I am honored to support the mission of the Hall of Fame and all the ways it can lift up the best game in the world.”
In addition to Board Chairman Jane Forbes Clark, whose grandfather, Stephen C. Clark, founded the Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors also includes: Treasurer Kevin Moore, Paul Beeston, Craig Biggio, Bill DeWitt, Tom Glavine, Ken Griffey Jr., Ken Kendrick, Rob Manfred, Arte Moreno, Jerry Reinsdorf, Cal Ripken Jr., Brooks Robinson, Harvey Schiller, Ozzie Smith and Thomas Tull. Complete bios on board members can be found at baseballhall.org/museum/board-of-directors.