Saw this on my RSS reader--glad to see you have time to blog again!
As you know, I'm not a Yankees fan, but I am disturbed by the book as well. A coach is supposed to be some sort of father-ish figure, right? To unload on your quirky, irrational players in a book is quite the act of betrayal.

It is very nice to see you coming back, miss you all the time!

I was always a big fan of Torre but apparently the man I admired is not the true man. We are now seeing his true colors as far as I'm concerned.
He appeared to be a good manager who was lucky to have exceptional talent to work with. But now it all sounds like maybe the rumblings from certain players about Torre were true.
Then saw him on larry King and his comments were ridiculous at best.
Look, we all know all the things he states in the book. Who doesn't know that stuff about A-Rod and attention. C'mon was that really necessary?
None of this is necessary while he is still in the game. Period.

So why did he stoop to such childish behavior? Sour Grapes? Thinks he is gonna get in A-Rod's head and make him messed up for the season? Attention? Hey look at me I survived the evil empire and the Dodgers are lucky to have me? All of the above?
Like Bon Jovi & Tony Soprano has said, You keep the family fighting in the family. You don't talk about it outside the family.

He knew it was explosive, he knew the reaction, he is playing us all. It sucks when someone you admired falls from grace doesn't it?

I wonder if this is an attempt too "get back" at the Yankees. What better way to tear a clubhouse apart other than creating dissension before all the new pieces have time to adjust. I don't think it will work. But what other reason would he have released this book?

Good to see you are back into the swing of things! I've commented and posted with you last year, although I think it was on cbssportsline and not your blog. Look forward to hearing from you.

As for as this whole Torre thing, I was suprised as everyone to hear some of the quotes that are coming out of this book (expect it in the mail tomorrow from Amazon) Update: Just received the book as I write!!

I know someone who used to be close to Torre...both have 12 year old daughters in the same class who are very close. My friend, who is actually my boss, lives in Greenwich and become a little close to the old skipper. He doesnt give one iota about baseball and never asked Torre for tickets so I guess he confided in him a little. Anyway, he told me that Torre was geniunely pissed about the 1 year contract offer (not a secret). But, he really didnt want to go to LA and up root his whole family.

He was actually taking Torre's side until I told him that he hadn't won the World Series in 7 years and the Yanks were trying to break him out of his complacent attitude.

So for me, this whole book thing the more I think of it is just Torre having sour grapes.

Thanks for the comments, munecas!

I'm sure I'll write more about this as soon as I read the book, but the more I mull it over the more irritated and disappointed with JT I become. I agree with MCBias that a coach, ESPECIALLY someone like Torre, is thought of to be a father-figure type... not a guy that would exploit the weaknesses of his "kids" to sell a few more books.

Doc, that is interesting to hear that Torre wasn't all that jazzed on moving out to LA. Makes sense, he'd been in NY for a long time, etc, but I wonder if leaving the whole city after leaving the blog just left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

I guess only JT knows for sure...he can spin it all he likes now, it'll just sell more books. I must admit, I bought it just because of the exposire it's getting and the juicy quotes I keep hearing. Just thumbing through it my jaw was dropping.

BTW, did you catch him on MLB network? Apparently, Costas has a full interview with him. Must See TV nowadays for us Yankee-holics.