The Yankee Years by Joe Torre, Tom Verducci
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Book Reviews of The Yankee Years
Book Review: A very interesting and descriptive book!!!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a good read, It is written in a conversational style and is very interesting and descriptive. I almost would call it a Psyco-History because we get some much insight into the way Torre is thinking and also the Players. About a 1/3 of the Book is Joe Torre's recollections of his 12 Years in Pin Strips. You get a lot of insight into his managing decisions, his relationships with the players, management and the fans. And a good year by year history and game by game synopses (some times play by play) in the Playoffs. About 1/3 of the book is about Baseball operations and Verducci does a great job explaining the rise and fall of the Yankees, the rise of Money ball, the rise of both Boston and Cleveland etc.,. We find out how baseball, in general, was doing and what teams were doing in those 12 years, including a good section on steroids (And other banded substances), and revenue shearing, the Yankees farm system as opposed to others etc., The Other 1/3 is basically interviews with the players going over all the same subjects, its all interspersed and laid out in time order. This is really a great book if you want to get inside baseball. It offers a lot of information for the Yankee fan as well as any sports fan.Book Review: An Insightful Narrative On The Yankees in Particular And On Major League Baseball In General During Torre's Years As Manager!
Summary: 5 Stars
Verducci and Torre do a very commendable job in providing an insightful, realistic perspective on life inside the dugout, the clubhouse and the front office that demonstrates what it took to keep the Yankees on top of the baseball world during the twelve years in which Joe Torre was the manager. The book clearly portrays Torre's joys of managing Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and David Cone, as well as the irritation associated with managing players such as Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, David Wells and Randy Johnson. Further, The Yankee Years provides an interesting narrative on the constant meddling from Yankee executives (particularly from Brian Cashman, who in Torre's final years helped to "push Torre under the boss" with the Yankee top brass), Torre's professionalism in managing the tension that developed between the old guard and the free agents brought in by management, and on the impact of revenue sharing and new scouting tools which allowed other teams to challenge the Yankees' dominance. The Yankee Years accomplishes all of this without coming across as whiney and and as a "gotcha" tell-all sports book. Highly recommended!Book Review: What a class act!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Once gain Joe Torre has shown us what a gentleman he is, and what a great baseball mind he has. This is simply a very good read, letting everyone who reads it know what it is like to manage and play for the Yankees. "The Bronx Bombers." Torre managed with trust of his General Manager and his players. If there was a fire, he put it out ,or asked his captain, Derek Jeter for help. And his players usually responded with the same respect and trust that he gave to them.
At the end, the trust that he thought that he had from Yankee ownership and management, just wasn't there. He did more for this team than any one man could possibly hope for and then got his teeth kicked in for his effort. He lays the blame on nobody and was relieved when he finally realized that it was the end.
I sincerely hope Torre has great success with his new team and can someday meet the Yankees in the World Series so that he can get his pound of flesh. And the man just does not see it that way at all.
He will continue to be a hero to me and to you when you find out what really happened during Joe Torre's "Yankee Years."
Book Review: The Yankee Years
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Yankee Years" was an informative and enjoyable read about the behind the scenes soap opera that is the New York Yankees. You find out about the sensible and nonsensical backroom decisions made by the Yankee higher ups, some of whom have zero qualifications for running a multi billion dollar sports fanchise except they are lucky enough have family or friendly connections.The Yankees are run like one giant dysfunctional family.
It is also an interesting look into how the New York scene devastates some great fielders and pitchers who just can't stand up to the pressures and demands that come with playing in The Big Apple and how other players feed off of those same pressures and demands.
It is astounding how Joe Torre physically and mentally lived through this experience to tell about it from such and inside perspective. But, he did have a good run.
As an avid baseball fan, born and raised near Yankee Stadium, I adore the Yankees, but until the decision makers get their act together and make decisions for the betterment of the team, I'm afraid they won't see a pennant for a long time.
Book Review: A-Fraud Confirmed
Summary: 5 Stars
Very good book, well written. Likely we'll never know if Torre or Verducci wrote certain specific passages, with the exception of actual Torre quotes. I personally believe that the stuff about Alex Rodriquez is very likely true. Sure, A-Rod puts up huge numbers during the regular season, but since Game 3 of the 2004 ALCS, his postseason numbers are not very good at all. So when the Yankees needed him the most, he has choked. In fact, he is 9 for 61 in the postseason after Game 3 of that infamous series, which is a .147 average, with just 2 homers and 3 RBI. And alas, the Yanks didn't make the playoffs at all in the first year Torre was gone, and the Dodgers did...interesting. The book confirms what many have felt about Rodriguez, that he cares more about setting personal records and his own image. Perhaps "A-Fraud" is a better name. A very insightful book, as it gives a decent glimpse into the 12 years with Torre at the helm of the proud Yankee franchise, with much more about others besides the above-mentioned player. A good read, indeed for Yankee fans and otherwise.