…and it makes a firey ring. Sorry, I’ve seen Walk the Line like 100X over the last month. Thanks HBO! Anyway, this is a little part of John Harper’s Daily News column where he forgets to hide the mega-huge boner for Joe Torre that never went away.

From there the offseason began with the classless handling of Joe Torre’s departure, which made the Yankees look small and leaves open the question of whether the absence of Torre’s steady hand will impact their run of 13 straight playoff seasons.

I don’t look at the Yankees while cooking Joe Torre eggs in the mourning like John Harper. So, I have a different point of view. I don’t think the Yankees looked small at all while pushing Torre out the door. I thought it was a great move. It was the final step in the transition to committing to the farm system, roster flexibility and young players.

Honestly, how much does Harper worship Torre? He actually brings up the question of how the Yankees will fare without the “steady hand” of Torre. Will they even make the playoffs!?!?!?? Dear lord, this is so stupid. Folks, losing a manager that drank too much tea to even stay awake during games will not (I REPEAT; WILL NOT) keep them out of the 2008 playoffs.

He might keep the Dodgers out of the 2008 playoffs….