Torre Who?

With today's news from SI.com that Alex Rodriguez reportedly failing a steroid test in 2003, the shift of media attention from Joe Torre's book is palpable. The fallout from "The Yankee Years", including "A-Fraud", Mike Mussina's dissing of Mariano Rivera, and the "Single White Female" relationship of Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, were expected to be the main topics of conversation when pitchers and catchers report on the 13th.

But instead, a zoo-like atmosphere will surely exist, the direction of which could very well steer one way or another in the next 48 hours. The MLB Network held a forum this morning that ran into the afternoon, with Bob Costas, Tom Verducci, Harold Reynolds, and Matt Vasgersian discussing the issues.

The consensus was that A-Rod needs to make a public statement in reaction to the story within the next couple of days. That translates to an Andy Pettitte-like "mea culpa" or a Roger Clemens' type strategy of "deny, deny, deny", and hope it doesn't blow up in his face. Strength of character has never been one of A-Rod's notable traits, so we can see it being the latter rather than the former.

Personally, we are very disappointed. No matter what we've thought of A-Rod at times, there's never been any question of what we felt about his talent or accomplishments. That said, his career could be tarnished, whether the accusation is truthful or not. And that's just sad.

Costas also sat down with the main author of the story, Selena Roberts, to discuss the findings. Roberts did her due diligence and had what she felt were four reliable sources. She also traveled to Miami on Thursday to get a reaction from Rodriguez, who gave her a veiled "get lost" in his response of, "You'll have to take to the union".

The bigger issue here though, again, is the results of the drug testing in 2003 being leaked out. These results, just like the BALCO grand jury testimony, was supposed to be confidential. Time and time again, this information is being leaked. And you're not hearing about some utility infielder each time either. These are planned leaks, by whom we do not know, but an investigation needs take place.

To make matters worse, MLB player's association COO Gene Orza is being accused of tipping off players to the timing of random drug tests. It's a serious accusation, with Roberts' source being a handful of players. And rather than simply denying the charge, when given the chance to address it, Orza told Roberts, "I'm not interested in discussing this information with you."

Just when we think things can't get much uglier when it comes to performance enhancing drugs and baseball, it does.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/4

Is Mark Teixeira really a Yankee? The way things have been kept under wraps you have to wonder. But according to the Daily News' Anthony McCarron, Tex may finally be shown off to the public this Tuesday. Teixeira's Dad played high school ball with one Bucky Dent.

McCarron's "teammate" Roger Rubin is looking for MLB to help get players like Chien-Ming Wang to give more than a few grunts in interviews. Wang is one of a number of players who, rather than using an interpreter, doesn't offer much or shies away from the press. We've said ourselves we would like to hear The Wanger on some post-game shows.

The Wanger will be part of a Yankees clinic in Taiwan this week.

The NY Post's Kevin Kernan thinks the Yankees should bring in Oliver Perez to fill the number 5 spot in the rotation. Then again, this is the guy who though the Yankees should sign Mets failure Scot Schoenweis 2 years ago.

We watched part of Don Larsen's perfect game again on the MLB Network yesterday. Earlier there was also a piece on Christy Mathewson. In both cases, Bob Costas was involved. Bob is great, or was great (now very good), but must he be involved with everything baseball related?

The Yankees are still looking for more city money for the new Stadium.

The Daily Yankeeland - 1/4

Is Mark Teixeira really a Yankee? The way things have been kept under wraps you have to wonder. But according to the Daily News' Anthony McCarron, Tex may finally be shown off to the public this Tuesday. Teixeira's Dad played high school ball with one Bucky Dent.

McCarron's "teammate" Roger Rubin is looking for MLB to help get players like Chien-Ming Wang to give more than a few grunts in interviews. Wang is one of a number of players who, rather than using an interpreter, doesn't offer much or shies away from the press. We've said ourselves we would like to hear The Wanger on some post-game shows.

The Wanger will be part of a Yankees clinic in Taiwan this week.

The NY Post's Kevin Kernan thinks the Yankees should bring in Oliver Perez to fill the number 5 spot in the rotation. Then again, this is the guy who though the Yankees should sign Mets failure Scot Schoenweis 2 years ago.

We watched part of Don Larsen's perfect game again on the MLB Network yesterday. Earlier there was also a piece on Christy Mathewson. In both cases, Bob Costas was involved. Bob is great, or was great (now very good), but must he be involved with everything baseball related?

The Yankees are still looking for more city money for the new Stadium.

The Blog Zone

If you haven't heard about it already, Deadspin's Will Leitch was on with Bob Costas for his "On the Record" gig the other night and a "discussion" broke out about a blogging. Author Buzz Bissinger is less than thrilled, that's putting it politely, about blogs.

The Blog Zone

If you haven't heard about it already, Deadspin's Will Leitch was on with Bob Costas for his "On the Record" gig the other night and a "discussion" broke out about a blogging. Author Buzz Bissinger is less than thrilled, that's putting it politely, about blogs.

Torre's Turn

Joe Torre had the opportunity last night to answer Hank Steinbrenner and his other critics. Torre, spoke to Bob Costas on HBO Sports with Bryant Gumbel and handled everything with his usual class and tact.

As you recall, Hank made Torre out to be an ingrate (Dad, always did like you best) in response to Torre's use of the word "insult" for his contract offer. Torre's response did have a veiled shot at Hank.

"Well, I'd like to think I worked together with people to do things. I certainly have never bypassed the fact that George Steinbrenner gave me this opportunity. ... For some reason ... he [Hank] thought I was disrespectful because I said I was insulted. But the insult, the insult came from the incentive-based situation. Unless you understand what sport is all about and how important winning is to you, I don't think you understand the insult part of this thing."

"I said I've been here a long time and I've never needed to be motivated," Torre said. "Plus, in my contract that I get a million-dollar bonus if we do win the World Series. So that's always been there. And, you know, as far as needing incentive to go ahead and win a ballgame, that, that I thought I used the term 'insulting.' And, and that's the way I felt."

Perhaps Jon Heyman should consider Torre's remarks.

Source

Torre's Turn

Joe Torre had the opportunity last night to answer Hank Steinbrenner and his other critics. Torre, spoke to Bob Costas on HBO Sports with Bryant Gumbel and handled everything with his usual class and tact.

As you recall, Hank made Torre out to be an ingrate (Dad, always did like you best) in response to Torre's use of the word "insult" for his contract offer. Torre's response did have a veiled shot at Hank.

"Well, I'd like to think I worked together with people to do things. I certainly have never bypassed the fact that George Steinbrenner gave me this opportunity. ... For some reason ... he [Hank] thought I was disrespectful because I said I was insulted. But the insult, the insult came from the incentive-based situation. Unless you understand what sport is all about and how important winning is to you, I don't think you understand the insult part of this thing."

"I said I've been here a long time and I've never needed to be motivated," Torre said. "Plus, in my contract that I get a million-dollar bonus if we do win the World Series. So that's always been there. And, you know, as far as needing incentive to go ahead and win a ballgame, that, that I thought I used the term 'insulting.' And, and that's the way I felt."

Perhaps Jon Heyman should consider Torre's remarks.

Source