Joe Has No Apologies For Book
Torre says he didn't burn bridges




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
January 31, 2009

Last night Ex-Yankee manager Joe Torre appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" to defend his new tell all book, "The Yankee Years."

Torre told King he didn't do anything wrong and didn't burn any bridges by writing the book, along with co-author Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. "I did not burn any bridges," Torre told King. "When I talked about what went on in the clubhouse, I don't think there was any sensitive material that shouldn't have been in there. There is nothing in that book that went on in the clubhouse that I would rewrite in any way."

Torre went on to say he was shocked by the initial reactions about the book. "I'm shocked by the initial reaction. There's always going to be something that somebody is going to resent but my reputation is being honest. It certainly wasn't my intention to shock anybody.

"Once people read the book they'll have a better perspective and a better understanding about what it's all about."

Torre said he wanted to walk readers through his entire 12-year run as manager of the Yankees. "I can't look back on the Yankee years and be bitter. Yeah, I was relieved when I left there, but my 12 years experience was wonderful. And I'm not going to make a negative of this over some people who picked certain things out of books and want to talk about it." He told King, however, that if he talked about the good years he need to talk about the bad years for the book to be honest.

As for violating confidences within the clubhouse Torre addressed that issue as well. "When I talked about what went on in the clubhouse, I don't think there was any sensitive material that was in there that I felt shouldn't have been in there, Torre said"

King also brought up comments in Torre's book about Alex Rodriguez, David Wells and Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner.

After King cited quotes from the book where Torre said A-Rod "strained" the feeling in the clubhouse after coming on board, along with monopolizing all the attention and being concerned with how he looked in a situation rather than getting the job done Torre replied, "I can't disagree with any of that."

King asked Torre what would happen if the Dodgers and Yankees met in the World Series and he and Rodriguez came face-to-face. Torre believed they would act as pals.

"All I can say, and unless I'm just completely off base, I think there'd be a hug involved," Torre said. "And I don't think it would be forced by either one of us. . . . I don't think there's anything in this book that's going to make Alex angry or keep us from being friends."

However, Torre did say that Rodriguez never had any problems with teammates, not even Derek Jeter. "Am I saying they were best friends?" Torre mused. "No, but they were professional and I thought they performed well together."

He told King the term "A-Fraud" was done in a joking way, and that it was right out in front of everyone. He related a story where then-third base coach Larry Bowa would take A-Rod out the day after Rodriguez made an error in a game and hit ground balls to him. Bowa would say, "Who do we have today? A-Rod or A-Fraud." There was nothing hidden.

As for Steinbrenner, Torre said that the "Boss" always wanted to be in charge. He would always be onto the next thing, wanting to improve on things, even after a World Series victory. He never wanted to stand pat. Torre said Steinbrenner would be proud of how he portrayed him in the book. Torre acknowledged that George got him the players to win those four World Series and he couldn't have done it without the players.

When King asked Torre about two interviews Wells did criticizing the book Torre said, "Boomer and I always had this type of relationship. Boomer and I would go at it one-on-one. I saw him last year and I asked him to come to my charity dinner in November because it was honoring the '98 team, and he said, 'I don't like you but I'll go.'"

In watching the interview one couldn't help, but, notice when asked about direct quotes from his book Torre took his time and chose his words carefully. He downplayed each comment King pulled out of the book. The part that is really interesting is that Torre prefaced his comments with , "I think..." when asked about how things would be perceived by those who were being written about.

Hey Joe, what do others whom you wrote about think?

My guess is Torre didn't ask anyone whom he penned negatively in his book if it was o.k. with them. It's funny how Torre doesn't think he broke any codes or burned any bridges, but I bet if you asked other people about it they might have a different viewpoint.

When someone writes about things that go on behind closed doors it doesn't matter if it's a clubhouse or the White House the person giving away information is setting a dangerous precedent.

That's what Mr. Torre has done here. His book may be a runaway best seller, but most assuredly there will be a price to pay for his "honesty." Don't expect to see number 6 to be hung in Monument Park any time soon. What you may see is the glow of that bridge Torre said he didn't burn.



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Wells Lowers Boom(er) on Torre
Hefty Lefty Fires Back at Joe




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
January 30, 2009


You knew it wouldn't take long, and who better to start the fireworks from the other side than Ex-Yankees pitcher David "Boomer' Wells?

Responding to quotes from Joe Torre's new tell all book "The Yankee Years" Wells fired back at Torre. Wells was interviewed on the "Mason and Ireland Show" for ESPN 710 Radio in Los Angeles, as well as the "Michael Kay Show" for ESPN 1050 Radio in New York.

Wells referred to Torre as a "punk" for revealing things that go on inside the clubhouse. He told Michael Kay that he would 'knock out' Torre the next time he saw him in person, and later laughed saying he would just laugh at Torre.

"What we do as athletes, that's our problem and our business. And a lot of guys have come out and destroyed that," Wells said on the L.A. show. "That's why they don't have any friends. … People just don't do it, and that's what Joe did.

"When you break the code, you're a punk. If he broke the code, he's a punk, absolutely."

In Torre's book co-author Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated cites Torre as saying, "The difference between Kevin Brown and David Wells is that both make your life miserable, but David Wells meant to." Wells shot back on the New York station, "I didn't try to make Joe's life miserable, I was there trying to win. Win and have a good time. "I just think it's stupid. He's just talking out of his you-know-what.

"I think the more and more that comes out, he's just going to make himself look bad and what he's doing is really (insert expletive) some New Yorkers off. … Maybe when he goes into Shea Stadium, all the Yankee fans might want to go over there and rile it up for him a little bit."

It's no secret that Torre and Wells don't like each other. Wells alluded to the point that Torre had his favorite players. He cited Paul O'Neill, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and even Roger Clemens.

Wells maintains he has no animosity towards the New York Yankees, just Joe Torre. "New York was the best four years of my career, period … as far as playing and having a great time. But I've always said from Day One, if you weren't Joe's boy, he could care less about you," Wells said on Kay's show. "Don't get me wrong, he's not a bad manager. I just thought he's a bad individual, because of the fact that he didn't treat everybody the same."

On XM Radio's "MLB Home Plate" this morning Wells reiterated his love for the New York Yankees. He told Chris "Mad Dog" Russo there was no better organization to work for and he hoped he'd always be involved with the Yankees until the day he died. He talked about his trade from the Yankees in 1999 to the Toronto Blue Jays for Roger Clemens. He told Russo, "I was (expletive) off, but I wasn't bitter." He said he understood it was a business, but he always felt Joe Torre was the force behind the trade.

Wells also mentioned Torre's record as a manager prior to coming to New York. "He wasn't very good," Wells said. He told Russo that anyone could've done what Torre did between 1996 and 2000 with the players he had on the roster.

Wells stated there were other players who didn't like Torre, but wouldn't name names. He said it was up to them to come out and give their opinions about Torre.

It will be interesting to see what other fallout shakes loose in the coming days and weeks. Another organization expected to be affected by all the controversy is the Los Angeles Dodgers. They can't be very happy with the prospect of their manager answering more questions about what's in his book rather than how the Dodgers are going to perform in 2009.

Pitchers and catchers officially report two weeks from today, but Torre’s book hits the bookstores on Tuesday. Get ready to ru....... Well, you get the idea.



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TORRE CONTINUES TORRID TRASHING
Ex-Manager Rips Wells, Brown, and Others




By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
January 28, 2009

As more and more excerpts are revealed from his new tell all book, "The Yankee Years," it is becoming increasingly apparent Joe Torre is not the kind, grandfatherly, type we all thought he was.

One day after throwing Brian Cashman and Alex Rodriguez under the bus additional excerpts from the book have Torre ripping Kevin Brown, David Wells, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson. He also continued to rip Alex Rodriguez.

Get a load of some of Torre's endearing words:

On Kevin Brown: 'I think he had some emotional issues. There were a lot of demons in this guy. It was sad.'

On David Wells: 'The difference between Kevin Brown and David Wells is that both make your life miserable, but David Wells meant to.'

On Carl Pavano: 'The players all hated him. It was no secret.'

On Randy Johnson: 'It was sad more than frustrating when we got him, because I thought we finally had someone you could hook your wagon to, and that wasn't the case.'

OUCH!

The new excerpts offered new insights as to what Torre thought of Alex Rodriguez. Torre said, "When it comes to a key situation, he can't get himself to concern himself with getting the job done, instead of how it looks."

Torre went on to say, 'He needs all of those statistics. He needs every record imaginable. And he needs people to make a fuss over him.'

Not only did Torre offer his own opinions, but he put forward some other peoples' opinions too. He cites comments by Yankees bullpen catcher Mike Borzello that Rodriguez was phony and knew he was phony. Torre also offers opines by recently retired pitcher Mike Mussina who, at one time, had his own issues with A-Rod. Additionally, Ex-Yankee and current YES broadcaster David Cone presented his insights on the steroid issue in the clubhouse and his personal feelings about Brian McNamee, who is currently at the center of the steroid scandal still swirling around baseball.

Torre also said in his new book he never felt appreciated by the Yankees hierarchy. 'You'd like to think if you work for somebody for a certain period of time that there'd be a time where they'd trust you somewhat. And I never got that. Even when we were winning, I never got that. That bothered me.'

Other areas of discontent was Torre's wanting to re-sign Bernie Williams at the end of his contract in 2006, but his thoughts were totally disregarded by Brian Cashman. Cashman signed Doug Mientkiewicz and Josh Phelps, both whom are described as busts.

Torre was against the signing of Jason Giambi and Gary Sheffield, because the former was a defensive liability and the other, because he wanted Vladimir Guerrero.

As for Cashman, Torre thinks the rift between the two of them began when Cashman negotiated complete control of the team in 2005. Torre believes his opinions were ignored by Cashman It culminated in Tampa, Florida when Torre turned down a one-year, $5 million offer with incentives after discussing a two-year deal with Cashman the day before. Cashman reportedly remained mute during the meeting leading Torre to think Cashman no longer supported him.

It is amusing to a degree for Torre to say he never felt like he had the trust of management during his tenure in New York. Not that everything is a bed of roses, but if it was so excruciating for him why did Joe stick around for 12 years? Torre made a lot of money off the Steinbrenner family while holding the most prestigious managing job in baseball. He was given the players to win four World Series, 6 American League championships, and make the playoffs all 12 years he was in New York.

One of my problems with Torre is this. Although many of us may agree with some of, if not all of, Torre's thoughts, when does he take responsibility for things that may have gone wrong? Isn't he the guy in charge of the day-to-day team? Isn't he supposed to control what goes on in the clubhouse as the manager? He says he didn't know who was using steroids on the team? How about the spring training following the implementation of drug testing when Jason Giambi showed up in Tampa about 1/2 his previous size? Would that have been a clue? How is it he doesn't know about that, but has all these other juicy tidbits to relay to Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated who wielded Torre's poison pen.

Another problem is the timing of this book. Usually ex-baseball types wait until they're retired and away from the game before they fire torpedoes at people they worked with and for. Torre didn't waste much time. I wonder what the Los Angeles Dodgers think about this. I'm sure Frank McCourt and GM Nick Colletti aren't too happy about the possibility going into Spring Training at the Dodgers new facility in Glendale, Arizona, having to answer questions about the book.

What about the Dodger players? Do you think it might be going through some minds, oh say like recently retired Jeff Kent's, that Torre might later rat on them too? There has always been an unwritten law that says, what goes on in the clubhouse stays there. You go to the grave with it.

Not surprisingly, Tom Verducci today is defending Torre and the content of the book. You can read Verducci's comments on Sports Illustrated's website.

Unfortunately, there have been other breaches of trust. Jose Canseco dimed off teammates allegedly using steroids and HGH. Jim Bouton's "Ball Four" told on a lot of Bouton's Yankee teammates of the '60s. Now we have Joe Torre. This one isn't going to go away any time soon. So far all of the blows have been thrown from Torre's side of the ring. Once the book officially comes out you can expect a plethora of counter-charges from those whom Torre has impugned.

Stay tuned.


Sources include: New York Post, New York Daily News and Sports Illustrated


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HO HUM! Another Behind the Scenes Expose
Joe Torre the latest 'kiss and tell' assassin





By: Russ Rose
Special to Yankees Talk Shop
January 27, 2009

It's been nearly 2-1/2 years since I put my fingers to keyboard and wrote an article for this blog. This seemed like a good time to do so.

So, Ex-Yankees manager Joe Torre, along with Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, has come out with a new tell all book entitled "The Yankee Years." How original. Do the names Jose Canseco or Jim Bouton ring a bell?

You can get a sneak peek excerpt of the book by going to Sport Illustrated's website where Joe talks in the 3rd person about his final day as the Yankee skipper.

In the excerpt Joe relates to Verducci how he felt somewhat betrayed by Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman following the 2007 campaign where the Bombers had been unceremoniously ushered out of the American League Divisional Series by the Cleveland Indians. The same Indians the Yankees had beaten 6 out of 6 times during the regular season.

Let's not forget this followed two other ousters from the ALDS in '05 and '06 by the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers respectfully. And of course, these series debacles came on the heels of the infamous 2004 playoffs where the Boston Red Sox finally exorcised the "Curse of the Bambino" by knocking New York out of the American League Championship Series. Boston went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in 4 games to win their first World Series championship in 86 years. By the way, did I mention the Yankees blew a 3-0 series lead to become the biggest goats in sports history for a 7-game series format?

Getting back to Cashman and 3rd person Torre. Torre wanted a meeting between himself and the Yankees hierarchy, including Cashman, down in Tampa, Florida. The day before the meeting Torre allegedly spoke to Cashman to discuss a two-year deal. Cashman told Torre it wasn't likely. Torre countered with a scenario where the Yankees would give him a two-year deal, and if he was fired in the first year, Torre would collect both the first and second year's salary. However, if he survived the first year and was fired the second he would be paid a reduced amount for the second year. The money amount wasn't important, just the second year. Torre said Cashman told him he would mention it to the Steinbrenners.

When the meeting came the next day Torre sat in front of George Steinbrenner and asked him if he wanted him to manage the team. Randy Levine and Hal Steinbrenner both said yes, but the offer was going to be for one-year, paying $5 million, plus $3 million in bonus money. Torre would receive a million dollars for each round of the playoffs the Yankees won. Levine described the bonus bucks as "incentives." Apparently, the word incentive incensed Torre. He looked to Cashman to say something and Cashman remained mum. No mention was ever made about the possibility of a two-year deal. So Torre said, "no," thanked the Boss and walked out with Cashman.

Torre said he asked Cashman what happened to the two-year deal scenario, and according to Torre, Cashman basically played dumb and asked Torre to explain it again, because he didn't quite understand it. Torre did, and Cashman went back into George Steinbrenner's office. Torre looked unbelieving after Cashman, thinking Cashman never mentioned the two-year offer. Cashman returned 30 seconds later and told Torre the bosses weren't interested.

OK, I realize the readers can go to Sports Illustrated online and see the same thing I just wrote about. The reason I did is to bring up a couple of other things. First, let's remember George Steinbrenner wanted to unload Torre a couple of times before the final divorce came. Each time Brian Cashman came to his rescue and helped talk the Boss out of pulling the trigger.

Secondly, Torre knew he got his bacon pulled out of the fire. He knows that if the Yankees don't win the World Series the season is considered a failure. If that's the case, then Torre failed to reach the Yankees goal 7 years running.

In reality, fate probably wasn't kind to Joe Torre. Winning 4 World Series titles in the first 5 years of his run spoiled, not only the fans, but ownership as well. Had the team spread those championships out over a few years maybe those last 4 years of failing to win a title might not have been so bad.

Another area Torre reportedly took shots at was in the direction of Alex Rodriguez. According to Torre, some of Alex's teammates referred to him as "A-Fraud." However, when asked teammate Andy Pettitte never heard another teammate use that term behind Rodriguez's back. Torre also alludes to the frosty relationship between Derek Jeter and A-Rod. He describes A-Rod as obsessed with Jeter as a perceived rival.

It amazes me how Torre, who is supposed to be a class act, would lower himself to authorize a book knocking one of his former players and front office personnel. Whatever happened to "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?" Where's the trust? You're not happy so situations you've been privy to suddenly become dirty laundry? So far all we're reading or hearing about is Torre's account of the situation. He told it to Tom Verducci who wrote it down as gospel. In a court of law that's called "hearsay."

You just know there is going to be fall out from this book. I can't wait to see the shots fired from the other direction. I hope Mr. Torre is prepared to take his lumps, because in any failed marriage both sides are at fault.

The bottom line is Joe Torre comes off like a bitter, ex-employee who is trying to make himself out like some kind of victim. Given Torre's record in New York, he might not have been handled with kid gloves, but that doesn't mean Torre had to take the gloves off.

Round two should be a doozy.


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