While Torre awaits decision, players back embattled manager

"I've talked to Joe actually a lot this year, just never on the field because people don't want to see that," said Francona, Boston's manager. "People who know me know the respect I have for Joe."

The Yankees were the only first-round playoff loser that wasn't swept. Rest assured that's no consolation to Steinbrenner.

"It's not Joe's fault," Alex Rodriguez said. "We've got the most prepared coaching staff and the best manager in the game. It's on us, the players."

In his office at Yankee Stadium, Cleveland manager Eric Wedge got a congratulatory phone call from Torre after Monday night's game.

"He's a class act," Wedge said. "For him to even think about our team and our organization ... it meant the world to me. He's one of the greatest managers in the history of the game. What he has accomplished is historic, and beyond that he's a great human being.

"For him to even throw one thought our way is pretty special and for him to respect our club means so much," he added. "Joe Torre should manage as long as he wants to manage."