Joe Torre Slams Alex Rodriguez, Yankees in New Book

Dodgers manager Joe Torre isn't pulling any punches in a new book about his time in the Yankee dugout. According to the New York Post, Torre's book, entitled The Yankee Years, features the normally placid Torre ripping his former players, team executives, and even the team doctors.

Torre claims that when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999, the team doctors told George Steinbrenner about the illness before telling Torre himself. He also alleges that general manager Brian Cashman never told his bosses that Torre wanted a two-year extension after the 2007 season and sat quietly while Torre and the team's executives met before his departure. Torre was previously open about his disgust with team executives, but had no ill words for Cashman until now.

He saves his most damning words for Alex Rodriguez, however.

Along with other Yankee teammates, A-Rod gets painted as a prima donna. The treatment only gets worse from there.

Torre gets most personal in his attacks against Alex Rodriguez, who he says was called "A-Fraud" by his teammates after he developed a "Single White Female"-like obsession with team captain Derek Jeter and asked for a personal clubhouse assistant to run errands for him.

Everything he writes may be true, but it's surprising that Torre would go this route. His tenure with the Yankees left him with one of the most pristine reputations in all of sports, beloved for his genial nature and calm stewardship at the helm of Big Stein's Bronx Zoo. That's earned him the respect of millions, which translates into endorsement money and a spot among the revered group of baseball sages. This book makes him seem vindictive and, in regard to hopping onboard the A-Rod hate train, petty.

Great Yankee Players - Where Are They Now?

Then: Reggie Jackson | One of the brightest stars ever to play at Yankee Stadium, which will host its final regular-season game tonight, Jackson is best known for being the linchpin of the 1977 and 1978 World Series squads, including a three-home run performance in Game 6 against the Dodgers in 1977.

Diamond Images, Getty Images

Now: Jackson owns a chain of auto dealerships in California, and became a player in the sports memorabilia industry. He also has been active in trying to become a part of an ownership group of an MLB team.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

Then: Dwight Gooden | The star pitcher spent two stints in the Bronx, one with the World Series team in 1996, and then another one with the championship squad in 2000. His career declined sharply though, primarily due to injuries and drug abuse.

Anthony Onchak, AP

Now: After several brushes with the law and spending time in jail, Gooden now helps his son with his rap music career at DJR Entertainment and Hall of Fame Records.

Chris O'Meara, AP

Then: Jim Leyritz | The Yankee catcher inked himself into team lore after he helped fuel a New York comeback in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series against Atlanta, leading the team to its first title since 1978.

Ron Frehm, AP

Now: Leyritz faces manslaughter charges in Florida after a fatal accident that killed a woman on December 28, 2007.

Larry Marano, Getty Images

Then: Darryl Strawberry | After a bout with cocaine addiction, the former Mets star played several seasons with the Yankees, and showed flashes of his former self in pinstripes.

Rich Pilling, MLB/Getty Images

Now: Strawberry lives in Missouri, and does occasional commentary for SportsNet New York. He also appeared on Spike TV's 'Pros vs. Joes.' His son, D.J., played 33 games with the Phoenix Suns last year, and is now a member of the Houston Rockets.

George Napolitano, FilmMagic/Getty Images

Then: Bernie Williams | The five-time All-Star spent his entire career with the Yankees. He's second in the franchise's history in doubles and was the MVP of the 1996 World Series.

Al Bello, Getty Images

Now: Williams strums the guitar, and he will be releasing a new album next spring. He also recently made an appearance at the White House T-ball game.

Roger Kisby, Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)

1-25-2009 @ 12:29PM

myhrewmyhre said...

Disagree totally. It makes Torre a man who has the courage to call the house of cards for what it is.

1-25-2009 @ 1:09PM

steveo said...

good for you torre. the only yankee I ever liked

1-25-2009 @ 1:18PM

flemingers said...

I agree with the posts #1 and 2. Joe earned the right to say whatever he likes about the Yankees. I think it's hilarious that his book will sell, he'll make a little money--OFF OF THE YANKEES. After their shabby treatment of him, skewering them is nothing less than poetic justice. Those Steinbrenners have brought a grand and glorious franchise so low during their stewardship. I feel sorry for the guys on the team who play with honor because they can't possibly be happy to have such low class losers in management and ownership positions.

1-25-2009 @ 5:22PM

clo589 said...

You must be a Red Sox fan

1-26-2009 @ 10:56PM

Tommy said...

I think Torre made plenty of money from the Yankees for doing NOTHING all those years - besides manage Buck's team. The guy looked like he was sleeping half the time - glad to see that bum hit the road. He was "clueless" Joe before we pulled him in and it appears not much has changed since. Everyone is jealous of the dynasty that the Yankees are. I am tired of reading posts about the stadium. People defend Wrigley or Fenway like it is the best palce in the world. They should rip those dumps down!! How many world series have you won in the last 100 years??? J E A L O U S... It is great to be part of the empire. Don't listen to them A-Rod.

1-25-2009 @ 1:27PM

hcabyesac said...

The problem with Torre telling the "truth" about how his feewings were huwt by the big bad Steinbrenner clan and ripping players while he is still managing is that it goes against the grain of everything he and any other credible leader can ever stand for, including the underrated sportsmanship he so admires. How can any Dodger look at him with any degree of trust? If the Dodgers someday hurt his feelings, will he write another book, this time unloading in the direction of Manny, or Lowe, or Dodger management? He loses his credibility with this one. We can finally take "the classy" adjective away from the inro to his name. He's right in the book when he speculates that maybe the Yankees should have just fired him. Indeed.

1-25-2009 @ 6:46PM

WILLIAM TORRES said...

I could not agree with you more. He takes too much credit for a team that was already setup for success before he came here. He was picked up off the scrap heap and given an opportunity to manage again. He'd be lucky to still be in baseball if it weren't for the Yankees. I am absolutely dissapointed as a Yankees fan that he would throw them under the bus like that just to sell a few books. Torre has taken the "CL" out of CLASS and made one himself.

1-26-2009 @ 3:24AM

Tony said...

All in all, Joe Torre is correct. He was mistreated and it only reinforces to the Dogers not to mistreat him. What doctor tells your boss you have cancer before you tell the patient? What is that all about? Then , if true, Cashman not relaying the fact that Joe Torre wanted a two year extension after 2007? You just leave that out and make the boss think Torre didn't want to stay and sit silent at the meeting? But Joe Torre is the bad guy? I think I would clear the air too if I were Joe Torre.

1-25-2009 @ 5:33PM

mike said...

im glad joe finally tells his side....

1-25-2009 @ 1:41PM

broinvt said...

As a Yankee fan I can see how people dislike the owners and what is claimed they "try" to do. That's an entirely different arguement. But to be ignorant enough to say," Torre's the only Yankee I've ever liked?" If you going to rag the the Yankee players and say you dont like them. I would love to hear reasons why.
As for Torre's book. Just remember he isn't the lone author and he IS trying to sell books.
Petty? You bet!

1-25-2009 @ 7:11PM

tony sclafani said...

Joe Torre is right about A-fraud. ever since the 2004 ALCS when A-fraud struck out A-fraud has been a bust. What really bothers me is that the Yankees will NOT get rid of A-fraud because they hope he breaks the home run record and brings it back to the Yankees, but when it comes playoff or pressure time, A-fraud does what he does best - strike out.

1-25-2009 @ 2:17PM

Kathryn said...

Joe Torre is still a classy guy. We don't even know the context of what's being reported or who is actually saying these things. Until someone actually reads the book, it's hard to judge what's being reported. Of course people want to say that Joe Torre is no longer a classy guy. Whatever. In my opinion, he was and still is, one of the classiest guys in the game, especially when having to deal with the Steinbrenners and the New York media.

1-25-2009 @ 5:31PM

You my friend must be from the west coast or boston

1-25-2009 @ 5:42PM

Why is that, clo589?

1-25-2009 @ 2:41PM

TheHulk said...

This book proves Joe Torre is the Prima Donna.

Remember Joe (insulted by a $2mm higher offer by the Yanks) but just fine with the Dodger offer...

Come on Joe you had a pathetic manager career before the Yanks took you in and last year in a weak league, in a sh*tty division you only got in because of Manny and still had less wins than the Yanks.

Now the players on the Dodgers are going to feel real secure confiding in their manager only to have it show up in his next crappy book..

BAD FORM JOE "SOUR GRAPES" TORRE

1-25-2009 @ 2:53PM

cupey3486 said...

come on joe.i thought you said once a yankee always a yankee.

1-25-2009 @ 2:59PM

OrangeChuckE said...

Here is the deal. If Torre wanted a book deal with a high figure, he was going to have to reveal more then balls and strikes and say everything is fine. Controversial books sell and I assure you he got a very nice book deal with money up front to divulge this information. And he will make more when Yankee haters line up to read this. Me personally, if it's the truth, I have no problems with anything he said, it's the books of rumors and lies that bother me.

1-25-2009 @ 3:19PM

joetesta7 said...

I like Joe Torre but let's face it. He was just an average coach with a team loaded with talent. Many of his decisions on the field cost the Yankees, yes I said it!! I have been a Yankee fan for over 40 years but let's be real. Think about it the Yankees lost the World Series with the infield in - 1st and 3rd with 1 out - you PLAY for the double play!!

With that being said, I was disappointed when the Yankees did not acknowledge him in the ceremonies during the last game played last year. But for him to write a tell all story, I thought he was above that. His success in LA only proved that Cashman and other execs are fools. Joe you are above that.

1-25-2009 @ 4:30PM

strictly60s said...

Joe Torre should thank God everyday for being allowed to manage the NY Yankees. Prior to The Boss giving mim this job - he was a TV announcer making $250,000 per year. He was washed up - never won anything - was a piss poor manager - period - (see NY Mets - St Louis Cardinals - Atlanta Braves)
In 2007 - he earned $7,000,000. - They offered him $5,000,000 - with incentives. Not bad for a guy who had not won a World Series since 2000. Plus he lost 2 World Series to Florida & Arizona - plus the other flops in the playoffs. Now he's bitching - poor Joe - Thank Your Lucky Stars - you were a Yankee.

1-25-2009 @ 4:31PM

shibumi2001 said...

The only people who'll regard Torre as "petty" and cost him legacy capital, are the New York Yankee diehards and Steinbrenner groupees. In reality, Torre was the only thing respectable about the franchise for the past seven years, as Steinbrenner became the increasing ass that he is and obsessed with "buying" another Series ring. Regarding, A-Rod, no surprises here, so what's the problem? Same message, different voice.