Darry's Book Puts Torre's to Shame

We haven't read "The Yankee Years" yet, but after reading about Darryl Strawberry's upcoming tome, we can already tell that it will make Joe Torre's book pale in comparison.

"Straw: Finding My Way" is due out in April and promises to tell all about the '86 Mets' exploits of drugs, drinks, and women. Though he doesn't name names, Straw tells of sexcapades taking place during games, and the massive partying that followed.

Now this is a book we want to read. Especially if it ticks off Keith Hernandez.

Yankees Fans Differ on their Joe's

There's no question that there is tremendous pressure on Joe Girardi this season to deliver a World Championship. With the additions of CC Sabatha, A.J. Burnett, and Mark Teixeira, the Yankees are expected to go from also-rans to title holders. At least on paper anyway.

Girardi already had enormous pressure last season when he replaced Joe Torre, who held the reigns and brought home 4 World Series rings in 12 years. A team with more talent naturally brings more expectations.

Matt Gagne provided an unbalanced view in today's Daily News as to who Yankees fans would rather have managing this season - Joe Girardi or Joe Torre. Gagne spoke with fans at one of Torre's book signings in the city.

Think about it? If you are there to get a signed copy of "The Yankee Years", it's for 1 or 2 reasons. You either still support Joe Torre and/or you just want to meet him even if you don't necessarily like the idea of the book or think he was overrated as a manager.

Most of those Gagne spoke to said they would trust Torre over Girardi with this year's team. One fan even went as far as to say the team wouldn't make the playoffs (maybe it was really a Mets fan).

But a more accurate and telling survey is the Daily News poll open to all online readers. Torre still comes out ahead, but just by a 52% - 48% margin. And you can bet much of that is based on Torre taking LA to the playoffs last season while the Yankees missed out for the first time since 1993.

Perhaps we should all just wait and see what happens. Oh, and there's nothing wrong with supporting both Torre and Girardi, despite what the pundits might say.

photo courtesy of AP

Cashman Talkin' Baseball, but not Books

Brian Cashman sat down with Ed Randall and a theater of 100+ patrons last night to talk baseball, and only baseball. Randall, who has the popular "Talking Baseball" TV show, as well as radio time on WFAN, had Cashman as a guest for his "Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure", a program which raises awareness about prostate cancer.

When asked about the book, Cashman said he would follow his own advice and not comment. (You can bet though that Cash will be seeing what exactly is in there.) But Cashman did admit that books like Torre's and the media fuss over them does take a toll on him.

Cashman did admit that situations that put him in the public eye make him uncomfortable and are a big reason why his job can be so tough. "Many days I question if I want to continue doing it," he said. "It's not all it's cracked up to be."

He also shot down the idea of writing his own book. "Nah, that's not something I'm going to do," he said.

Cashman also reiterated that Manny Ramirez will not be a Yankee.

Derek Jeter: "It's Old"

Derek Jeter may not feel all warm and fuzzy about Alex Rodriguez, but he still respects his teammate and told SI.com's Jimmy Traina that the issue brought up by Joe Torre's book were like beating a dead horse.

"I'm just curious as to why people keep asking the same questions over and over. We've been down this road before. Alex is a teammate. I support him. Our whole team is behind him. We all support him. And we're looking forward to a new season. To be quite honest with you, it's old hearing the same questions. It's something that's been addressed before in the past. Everyone's moved beyond it. And it doesn't really need to be addressed again."

SI will have the full interview Traina did with Jeter on Wednesday in Hot Clicks.


photo courtesy of SI.com

Posada Defends Torre

Jorge Posada joked that it would take "3 years" to get through Joe Torre's book, but he insisted that Torre did nothing wrong in writing "The Yankee Years". The Daily News' Anthony McCarron and Peter Botte spoke to Posada, who is rehabbing from shoulder surgery in Tampa.

One thing Posada was quick to correct was the use of the word, "A-Fraud", to describe Alex Rodriguez.

And, Posada said, the infamous "A-Fraud" moniker for Alex Rodriguez was nothing more than a clubhouse joke uttered solely by former bullpen catcher Mike Borzello - now with Torre in Los Angeles - in front of Rodriguez himself. Rodriguez, Posada said, would be among those chuckling while Borzello tweaked him.

"There was not one player on those teams that said those words," Posada said. "Never. If we heard it, it was just (Borzello) messing with Alex and Alex would be right there and he'd be laughing about it. It was never out of disrespect at all. . . . It was never said behind his back by any teammate."

Posada hasn't read the book yet, but plans to pick it up. So far his reactions have been based on the excerpts released, and the media's reaction to the book.

"Joe's done nothing wrong, in my eyes. He's been a father figure to me, so I don't think he can do any wrong."

Torre was on with Mike Francesa this afternoon and repeated much of what we've already heard in prior interviews and comments. It's clear that some things written were Tom Verducci without consulting Torre, but Torre defended his friend and co-author, and stands by the book. You can listen to the complete interview on the WFAN website.

The Polls are Closed

A whopping 967 of you responded to the Joe Torre/The Yankee Years poll - and we have to give a big thank you to MLB Trade Rumors, who picked up our story on the Yankees 25 man roster and sent a lot of traffic our way. Thanks guys!

The choice of "No way Jose, er Joe" with a resounding victory. 40% of you said you would not read the book. We can't imagine that Torre ever thought he would get the negative feedback that he's gotten from many Yankees fans, us included.

31% of you fell into the "Maybe" category, which is where we are at. Our thinking is will get the book out of the library, rather than contribute to Joe's bank account.

And finally, 29% of you can't wait to read the book ("Yes, can't wait for it!"). It is dealing with a lot of the players and teams we love/loved, and that is a definite draw.

Thanks again for taking part in the poll!

Larry King to Pitch Softballs to Joe Torre

No one asks less ground breaking questions than Larry King ("so, Osama Bin Laden, this is your first public interview. What do you like for breakfast?"), but he'll be serving them up to Joe Torre tonight. This will be Torre's first official interview since the news of the "The Yankee Years" came out.

"It's a terrific book," King said. "It's an extraordinary book. Even though it's written in the third person, it obviously is the thoughts of Joe, or why would he have approved it? It's a fascinating look at the Yankees and those years."

"Even though I'm not a close friend of his, I feel a strong attachment to him," King said. "My hope is that when it comes out, fans will know him better. They'll know him better, and the Yankees better."

Yeah okay, Larry. Wonder if he'll have on pinstriped braces (suspenders).

13 Days until Pitchers and Catchers

Coney Could Write a Book

We've heard various stories about David Cone's antics (typical clubhouse stuff) as a member of the Yankees and Mets, and he clearly could write a much more inflammatory book than Joe Torre ever could. But it's probably not in Coney's character to do so. He is quoted in Torre's book, "The Yankee Years", about steroids and drug usage in the Yankees clubhouse.

Coney says the players had a good idea of who was juicing, especially those who interacted with Brian McNamee. Coney had nothing personal against McNamee, but didn't like the free reign McNamee had in the clubhouse without having been properly checked out.

"They were on his program, guys like Roger, Andy and maybe (Mike) Stanton," the book quotes Cone as saying. He says he thought McNamee "had some GNC stuff he was putting in shakes, maybe creatine or Andro or whatever you can get over the counter."

"I didn't like McNamee," Cone said in the book. "Not that he was a bad guy. I never thought he was properly vetted."

McNamee had this to add..

"Some guys were open about it, some guys weren't," he was quoted as saying. "And you wouldn't believe the s--- they were taking. I mean, it was like horse--- and crap. Like they didn't know the toxicity levels. They were taking Ritalin, oral steroids. ... They were taking stuff that was bad for them. And then they're going out all night because they've got amphetamines in them, and they're drinking ..."

Clemens also used to tell guys to go see McNamee rather than the Yankees fitness guru, Jeff Mangold. The Rocket really is/was a douchebag.


Source: Michael O'Keefe and Andy Martino, NY Daily News

Clemens Excerpt - Read with Caution

You might possibly want a barf bag handy before you read this excerpt from Joe Torre's book, "The Yankee Years". (tip of the hat to FanIQ for this one).

Roger Clemens would come out of an extremely hot whirlpool, that in the words of assistant trainer Steve Donahue, he looked like a lobster. And then....(brace yourself)...

Then Donahue would rub the hottest possible liniment on his testicles.

“He’d start snorting like a bull,” the trainer said. “That’s when he was ready to pitch.”

Head between your legs, take nice slow deep breaths and the nausea will subside.

More Reactions to the Yankee Years

Graig Nettles knows what is like to write a tell-all book. His 1984 book, "Balls" told some of the inner workings of the Yankees organization. That combined with some shots he took at George Steinbrenner resulted in a trade to the San Diego Padres. It worked out in the end for Nettles, who along with Goose Gossage, went to the World Series that year against the Tigers. (Personally, we were pissed when he got dealt.)

Nettles defended Torre's right to write the book.

"All I've read is excerpts, so it's really not fair to comment," Nettles said in a phone interview. "But just from the excerpts, it doesn't seem to be anything scandalous.

"I think he has every right to write the book, and I know Joe well enough to know that he wouldn't make any scandalous accusations of anybody. . . . I would bet a lot of money on the fact that Joe did it with some dignity."

Nettles said he wrote a book "for the money and the fun of doing the book."

"I know I didn't tell any stories that I wasn't supposed to tell. Joe, too. I haven't read the book, but from what I've seen, he hasn't told any stories or any hush-hush stories that shouldn't be told."

David Wells, who also took shot at the Yankees organization in his 2003 book, "Perfect I'm Not", feels Alex Rodriguez will be affected by Torre's alleged criticism and said Torre better be able to back up his words (Torre doesn't pick physical fights like you Boomer).

"A-Rod Alex Rodriguez says that he's not worried about it, but deep down, you can't help but think, 'Why did this guy say something? Why is he making these remarks?'" Wells says in an ESPN.com video.

"Now you're gonna go on the road during the season, you're gonna get bashed by every fan out there. Especially in New York, if you have a bad game, [then it's] 'Joe was right.'

"Now it's gonna make Joe look good and A-Rod look bad, or vice versa."

"If he's gonna start being derogatory, he can probably hurt some of these guys," Wells said of his former manager.

Boomer should probably stick to what he does best...pitching, eating, and drinking.


Larry Bowa, Joe Torre's third base coach in NY and LA, backed Torre and defended A-Rod.

Rodriguez reportedly was referred to as "A-Fraud" by teammates, but Bowa reiterated to WFAN today that, if so, it was only in jest.

"This stuff about Alex not being liked in the clubhouse is so, so overblown," Bowa told hosts Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. "He's well liked in that clubhouse."

Maybe even by Derek Jeter.

"They talk to each other, they mingle with each other, they may not go out to dinner with each other," Bowa said of the superstars' relationship.

"Alex is obsessed with winning a World Series," Bowa said. "It might be detrimental to him, he's so obsessed with it."

Seemingly running for president of A-Rod's fan club, Bowa, a 40-year baseball veteran who played with Pete Rose and Mike Schmidt, called Rodriguez "the most prepared player I've ever seen," and defended his postseason disappointments.

"It's hard to judge a guy with 11, 12, 13 at-bats," Bowa said. "Let him get deep into the playoffs when you get 40 at-bats."

"Joe's got great credibility, and if a little bit of this is gonna take it away, then so be it," Bowa said. "I don't think Joe did this to rip anybody.

Even when he goes in the back room, he doesn't rip people. He just doesn't do it."

Bowa said he never noticed resentment from Torre toward the Yankees' low-ball offer of a one-year contract prior to last season, but said Torre's glaring omission from the closing ceremony at Yankee Stadium had to bother his boss.

"In my opinion, the thing that hurt Joe -- and he won't ever admit this -- is the last day at Yankee Stadium," Bowa said. "The non-recognition. I think that did bother him."

So there ya have it. We won't know for sure how if affects A-Rod until the book comes out, gets read, and the season gets under way. We can't wait for the last part of that notion.

What Happens in the Bronx

According to Newsday's Wallace Matthews, the Yankees are considering putting a "non-disparagement" clause in future contracts.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Yankee official said yesterday that some members of the front office staff already are required to sign a confidentiality agreement in order to protect "proprietary knowledge of our business model." The proposed clause is intended to ensure that future books about the Yankees are "positive in tone," and "do not breach the sanctity of our clubhouse."

Given the 1st Amendment, we don't know how it would ever hold up in court.

Moose not Fearing Fall Out

Not that he'll be a part of it, but Mike Mussina, for one, doesn't think Joe Torre's book will cause any problems in the Yankees' clubhouse.

"He's the best player that I've had a chance to play with," Mussina told the paper. "And he works hard at it, and if he sat around and worried about everything that happened, he wouldn't be able to be the player that he is. I was in that clubhouse for eight years. I've seen a lot of stuff go on. A lot of stories go out. I've seen Alex deal with a lot of things, this past year and in other years. I don't foresee this as being a major issue."

"What goes on in the clubhouse and teammates razzing or giving each other a hard time doesn't necessarily mean we're cutting into people," Mussina told the Post. "Did I ever hear anybody call him ['A-Fraud']? It's possible. But that doesn't mean it's meant in a harsh way. We're stuck together for six months, and we're trying to have fun with each other and get people motivated. I don't look at that as something that's nasty."

source: MLB.com

Is Joe Torre on your Must Read List?

We want to know, will you read Joe Torre's "The Yankee Years" or are you going to take a pass. Answer the poll and let us know!

Right now, we're going with maybe. Just like some movies are better on DVD, maybe this one is better out of the library than the book store.

Update: 1:20 PM - Here are some excerpts courtesy of Jack Curry.

Torre Gets Expected Blowback

You knew that Joe Torre wasn't going to get a pat on the back after excerpts from his latest book hit the wires on Sunday. And while Brian Cashman may have had a good talk with "St. Joe", most people are not seeing the tome in a positive light.

Tom Verducci, who penned the book with Torre, wants you to read the book before seeing segments out of context and jumping to conclusions.

Verducci is quoted as saying the book is written in third person and is not a tell-all book.

"Smart people will judge the book upon actually reading it and not reading preliminary reports prior to its publication. Once you understand the context of the book you understand the information. It's not a tell-all book. Anybody who reads it will understand that."

But as Newsday's Jim Baumbach points out, if someone gets slammed in the book, doesn't that mean they are being slammed by the authors? In this case, Torre and Verducci?

Brian Cashman, who Torre said didn't support him during his final contract negotiation, spoke with Torre via phone (from Hawaii) Sunday and felt good about their relationship afterwards.

"I'm comfortable with my relationship and how we interacted throughout the entire process," Cashman said, adding that Torre led him to believe "our relationship is strong."

Cashman, while admitting Alex Rodriguez changed the make up of the clubhouse, did not feel he was a distraction or disliked by his teammates. Torre had said players called A-Rod, "A-Fraud", behind his back.

Cashman said that when Rodriguez became a free agent after the 2007 season, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Pettitte all urged him to re-sign A-Rod.

"That was real," Cashman said. "It was offered up."

While we are sure Cashman is telling the truth, we don't doubt Torre's words on the matter either. Andy Pettitte, however, did contradict Torre during his quickly called contract press conference today.

"I have never one time heard of the term `A-Fraud' until I saw that rolling on the TV, I guess this morning or whenever they started reporting it," said Pettitte, who rejoined the Yankees for the 2007 season. "If it did go on, it went on before I was there."

It has to be remembered that Joe Torre loves money. There's no hiding that fact. Money would be the only reason to right such a book at this time.

Here's what some others are saying:

Wally Matthews, as many of us do, wonders about the timing of the book.

Here's the Boston Globe's take.

Tyler Kepner of the Times says, "there are no easy answers".

...and Peter Abraham says, "Nothing ever ends well".

photo courtesy of Random House and SI.com

Torre Decides to Burn Bridges

We can hear Michael Kay already. "Everyone thinks he's St. Joe, but he's not", etc. Joe Torre has a new book, with Tom Verducci, 'The Yankee Years", coming out at the beginning of February. In it he takes shots at Alex Rodriguez, Brian Cashman, and George Steinbrenner, to name just a few.

On A-Rod - his teammates often referred to him as "A-Fraud" and he was obsessed with his rivalry with Derek Jeter. Brian Cashman - Less than loyal and betrayed Torre "on several fronts". Torre was particularly unhappy with Cashman's lack of support during the post 2007 fiasco/contract negotiation. George Steinbrenner - Knew of Joe Torre's prostate cancer diagnosis before Torre could tell him. Torre was stunned by this.


Maybe this book was cathartic for Torre, and we know he loves money, but we're not big on tell all books. That being said, we'll probably read it.

Torre will be on David Letterman's show on February 3 and will be signing books that day at Yogi Berra's Museum.


Source: Daily News