New York ? The sign boards were blank at Yankee Stadium, just like the expressions on the players’ faces the night before.

Instead of playing Game 7 of the World Series Sunday, the Yankees started to stream in slowly to pack their gear and ponder what likely is going to be a tumultuous five months until the 2004 season opener April 5 against Tampa Bay.

The frustration that followed the six-game Series loss to Florida was clear following a season of turmoil and repeated prodding by owner George Steinbrenner. And it appears manager Joe Torre will lose at least one and perhaps both of the key aides who have been with him since he took over the team before the 1996 season.

Bench coach Don Zimmer said after Saturday’s 2-0 loss that he was quitting, angry with Steinbrenner’s treatment of him.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre doesn’t know if he wants to return, saying he wants to talk it over with his family. Stottlemyre, who has spoken of possible retirement at the end of previous seasons, made clear this was the most difficult of his eight years as the Yankees’ pitching coach.

“I feel personally abused,” Stottlemyre said as he headed out of the ballpark Sunday.

Asked why, Stottlemyre cited the April decision by the team to send Jose Contreras to the minor-league complex in Tampa, Fla., which came after Torre and Stottlemyre told the pitcher he was going to Triple-A Columbus.

“Joe and I said one thing, and the other thing was done,” Stottlemyre said.

Torre has said in recent days that he hoped to speak with Zimmer after emotions calm.

Stottlemyre didn’t think Zimmer could be swayed to stay.

“Zim has been very hurt,” he said. “He seems to be dead-set on what he’s going to do.”

Torre was in his office Sunday, but didn’t speak with reporters, preferring to wait a few days.

Steinbrenner left town, according to spokesman Howard Rubenstein, but issued a statement that was a harbinger.

“Of course, I was disappointed, but we will be meeting soon to make whatever changes are needed to bring back a stronger, better team for New York and our fans,” he said. “You can count on it.”

Rubenstein said Steinbrenner could not be reached for his reaction to Zimmer’s claims of mistreatment.

Steinbrenner has backed Torre, who led the team to four World Series titles from 1996 to 2000, but none since. Steinbrenner has not given a similar support to general manager Brian Cashman, whose contract runs through the 2004 season.

Hitting coach Rick Down appears to be a likely goner following a World Series in which the Yankees hit .140 (7-for-50) with runners in scoring position — .077 if you don’t include Derek Jeter (2-for-4) and Hideki Matsui (2-for-7).

“It’s a tough place to work,” Down said. “Not everybody can deal with it. But I’m not going to walk away from anything.”