Good for Joe. I mean, really and truly, good for Joe Torre and congratulations to him on 2,000 wins. After week upon week and season upon season of having his job put up for sale, Torre deserves a moment to smile…particularly when his players haven’t been hitting and his starting pitching couldn’t stay healthy. Once a GM gives you a bunch of rookies to send out to the hill, how can you win?

Watching the post-game on YesNetwork.com and reading the papers today, you can tell that the Yankee coaches and old-time players love Torre — from Larry Bowa to Jeter to Posada to Mo (who handed the game ball to Joe after the victory…very appropriate). Yes, they go to war for that man. Why? Because he is one of the nicest and most accessible guys you will meet on the Major League level. For my part, I’m no big shot reporter compared to some who crowd into his office after every Yankee home game, but Torre has always treated me with respect. He treats everyone with respect, which is why he works well in a locker room full of huge contracts and All-Star resumes.

Everyone knows what he’s done in the Bronx, and to do it under the pressure he faces is more remarkable than it seems. Even on the day where he reaches this milestone, there’s a story in the Daily News about how Torre is feeling heat from George Steinbrenner for publicly criticizing A-Rod and his “Ha!” play in Toronto. Whatever. The man is trying to send a message to the rest of the league about what is acceptable for the Yankees. He is trying to establish some pride when the Yankees are losing so much of it. You can’t blame him for that.

So here’s to Joe Torre. These days he often has a defeated look on his face as he deals with a struggling team, New York media and impatient management. If this is his final season at the helm of the Yankees, then hopefully his team will continue to win and give him the ending he deserves.