While George Steinbrenner’s son Hank said today that “there’s nothing decided yet” on the future of skipper Joe Torre, it is widely assumed that the manager will not return for a lucky 13th season in New York following The Boss’s comments before Game 3 that Torre would most likely not be retained should the Yankees fail to rally in the series.

While speculation had long been that Don Mattingly or Joe Girardi would assume the manager’s chair in the Bronx following Torre’s tenure, the Daily News’ Bill Madden is reporting today that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa may be Torre’s successor. Via Madden:

Yankee insiders say La Russa, who managed the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title last year, is a Steinbrenner pal. They also say he’ll likely bring Dave Duncan, considered by many the best pitching coach in baseball.
…
The Yanks haven’t reached out to the feisty La Russa yet, but insiders say the 63-year-old skipper wants the job and is holding off committing to the Cardinals until the Yankee situation plays out.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports today that the Cards’ front office is “antsy” over La Russa’s decision.

Fun note:
Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan has had the pleasure of sharing the St. Louis clubhouse with his son Chris Duncan. Should the elder Duncan bring his act to New York, he’ll be united with another son – fist-pumping Shelley Duncan.